San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-04-13
We me. t1ows money 60 ouy nerr'

say the least Stevens blushed redder
yet, but he sat down and said, mo; she
isn't married."
mot married" repeated the King;
well, so she won't have you. That's
what they always say"
Il haven't asked her." said Stevens,
looking very sour and sheepish. The
latter part OF the interview was rapidly
becoming more awkward even than the
first.
1t now seemed the magnates turn to
show anger and Impotence. Haven't
asked her" he exclaimed; '.why not?"
Because" replied Stevens sullenly,
Il know she would refuse me- ...
well, suppose she didy' retorted the
magnate testify. my wife did; that's
part of the fun"
But she ought to refuse me-" cried
Stevens, determined to have no mercy
on himself; Il am not the man for her. :"
''Oh, dammit!'' was the kings profane
but very expressive comment on this
rueful speech. And then for the first
time he smiled, and his tone grew gentle,
as he said: What sort of woman is
she anyway .....
Just here there came a tap at the door
and the servant entered, bearing a sena-
tors card.
''Tell him I'll be disengaged in few
minutes" said the maenate, and then
txrning to the young loan, when they
we're alone once more, he said with
strange tenderness: Come, tell me about
your girl!'
''Oh, she is a beautiful young woman,
and all that's good. I've thought of her
for years and now she is here, visiting
her brother, my best friend, but she is
not for me, see that"
"Why" demanded the king.
"Well, I'm such commonplace indi-
vidual, l suppose, for one reason" re-
piled Stevens, in tone of self contempt.
Commonplace retorted the million
aire. "Gad, l don't think so, and I'll
back my Judgment of men against
woman's."
We'll, Them continued Stevens sulk-
lily, II think she loves, or at least favors,
another, man she has met here, a lieu
tenant IN Tue navy.
s+Oh, hor' exclaimed the magnate.
"Smitten with brass buttons, is she? l
guess" he added dryly," cit is she, not
you, that is commonplace. All, how old
Is sheS'
about 90, believe"
"HumphT' muttered the king, his
harsh manner returning. "Old enough
to know better. You might expect such
tricks in eighteen. Are you sure she isn't
a fool-a silly, shallow woman, with all
her stock in the front window, like
French shop?"
"Oh, no, indeed. exclaimed Stevens.
She is true, fine woman"
Yes, suppose so" replied the king,
snappishly, and yet with smile. well,
then, go for her. Tell her you love her.
There is 10 love potion like q declara-
ton; that generally does the business,
after one or two refusals anyhow. And
don't be blu1fed. Keep at her. The wom-
en- have a saying among themselves that
n perSevering man is the enemy of the
sex" Here he rose to indicate, after the
manner of mOnarchs. that the interview
had terminated, and stretching out his
hand to the young man, said:
III expect you in the morning. wish
you well with the girl; don't be afraid of
her, or of that tupenny lieutenant either.
Let US see, have your address,"
II live where Mr.. Atwood does-at
Mrs. Ex's, said Stevens.
"Ah, yes, replied the magnate. Your
lady lives
There also" said Stevens. Miss
Bassett is her name; and the ieutenaht's
name is Quire, and he boards with us
too. There, think you have it all nowr'
He smiled as he spoke, in spite of him
self.
The king bowed gravely. Il believe l
understand the situation. | bid you
good evening, sir"
Stevens walked briskly home, excited
and exhilarated by the interview. Some
how, he could not tell why, he believed
the tide had changed, and was now on
the food. Without definite cause for
exultation he felt triumphant; perhaps i;
was the simple magnetism of the great
man he had just left, who always sue
ceeded. Be the reason what it might, |
the spirit Of victory was in his heart, |
and it shone in his features as he entered |
the chamber where Windward was i'm
patiently awaiting his return.
You didn't tell him, fancy?' he ]
said, smiling.
"No, but sometime I'll tell you an in
teresting tale" replied Stevens my5teri-
ously.
And that was all Windward was able |