San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-07-10


Spouse to his inquiry, informed him that
Mrs. Hart had gone over to Washington
and would not return until the after
noon he feltas nonplussed as though he
had led an ace and had it trumped in the
first round.
WAS Mrs. ROYAL in?"
The servant thought not, but would go
and see. Then she ush2red him into the
parlor and retired with grinning coun-
tenance. She had had substantial cause
to regard DR.. Royal with favor during
lis former visit.
Royal moved restlesSly about the room
It was full of signs of feminine occupancy
pretty bric-a-brac, dainty emOroideries,
an open piano with lace handkerchief
on the keys, a fancy work basket heaped
with scraps of silk and ribbon, and dolls
Of all sizes in various stages of prepara-
ton for church fair. an open copy of
"Hypatia' on a little table, and books
here. there and everywhere.
The street door opened and closed,
quick footsteps advanced along the hall,
word or two was exchanged with some
one outside the parlor door, and Royal
faced around in time to see his wife en-
ter the room.
Could that be Phyllis? He had never
pictured her thus, and could scarcely
credit his eyes or believe that they re-
ported living verify. Slender, radiant,
clad still in black from crown to instep,
but worn, somehow, differently from his
recollection of it, with clear gray eyes
aEght with pleasure, soft rings of hair
clustering about white forehead and
cheeks aglow with health and exercise,
she seemed to Royal a totally new Great
ure.
She advanced at once with outstretch-
ed hand and manner totally devoid of
embarrassment. 1t was all very differ
ent from that which he had expected,
but by the time he had taken her hand
in his Royal had become conscious th,.t
whatever she might decide in regard to
their future relations there would be no
danger of petty misunderstanding or
narrow judgment with this woman. He
lifted his head and squared his shoulders
as though u load had been removed from
them.
"When did you Gomez she was saying:
this morning? And you came at once
to us That was charming of you. l
only wish Nina had been at home to re-
ceive and help to welcome you"
Royal, who for the last second had
been perilously near taking her into his
arms, recovered himself sufficiently to
take the chair she indicated. 1t was not
only that the situation was unexpected,
but that she, as she now appeared, was
equally unexpected. He sat regarding
her helplessly.
you received my letter." His tone
was experimental
Phyllis did not answer him directly.
She had laid pair of blue spectacles on
the table, and was buslly removing her
glove.
Il have to wear glasses still out of
DOORS" she Informed him cheerfully.
But in the house | am quite independ-
ent of them.
Royals eyes were on her hands. She
had taken off the right glove and was
unbuttoning the left The trimming of
her sleeve had caught in button and
was giving her trouble.
Let me help YOU Royal said, and
leaned eagerly forward.
She surrendered her hand at once, and
he extricated the fastening from its en-
tanglement, and then, i'll response to an
acquiescent glance, drew of the glove.
As he did so his eyes instinctively sought
her third finger, and he drew his breath
hard-she had taken off her wedding
ring His hopes fell below freezing point
in an instant. To him it appeared
portent
why did you take it Off"
The words broke from him involun-
tarily and with a thrill of pain
Because it was Johns, and am not
his wife"
Then when he would have spoken she
checked him by a gesture and turned
her truthful eyes full on him:
Your letter came some days ago, DR..
Royal. know why you did not write
before-that consideration for me held
you back from telling me the story
months ago. You would not imperil
my chance Of sight. am grateful for
your kindness. But could not discuss
the matter with you until you should
have spoken of it yourself. wanted to
talk with you about it, SO l showed you
that you might speak at last
Royal looked bewildered -.
"You knew of the affair before my
letter reached your" he hazarded.
Yes I've known the story for months
past, DR.. Royal-ever since week or
two after you went away last December.
When | saw You that last morning you
seemed so unlike John that could