San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-04-16
The BasSett Claim
By HENRY s. ELLIOT.
Press AssociatipnJ

negative merit of making no trouble and
spelling no fun for others. But a few
days ago fortune, or ! will say Provi-
dence, threw me into close and peculiar
relations, as you know, with very pow
erful man. l think my chance has come.
| have caught up little of my old cour-
age and vigor at any rate; one can't
help it in his presence. Well, think
he likes me and means to give me lift.
And as l said | would be wholly frank
with you, have told him all about this
matter and find he is interested. /
needn't say he thought your sister very
lovely, and he tells me to try to win her.
And perhaps-I have dreamt it anyhow,
maybe I'm crazy-perhaps if got to be
rich and great, and leader of men,
could show manly qualities and have
something to bring her worth taking~
He stopped, and looked down. and
awaited the word of doom.
"My dear friend" said Windward
tenderly, there, my good fellow, is my
hand. only wish it was Floy's. am,
as you say, a little surprised at what
you have said, certainly at the depth
of your feelings. Evidently tits a seri-
Gus matter with you, and l hope you
may get her. You shall have my help;
so much promise you"
THANK you, Windward," said Stevens
huskily. II thank you from the lotion
of my heart. And now / must ask,
Nothing else is settled, them
"You mean
"She loves no one else, favors no one?"
"Not that l know of, said Windward,
and as he spoke Claras question came
into his mind, and with it the recollec-
ton of the scene in the parking, and he
suddenly changed color. Stevens, all
eyes with excitement, noticed the signal
of danger, and knife went through his
SOUL
"And you would be likely to know
he gasped.
"Why, yes" replied Windward. 81
am not only her brother, but her guard
ian, and the head of the house. | should
naturally know of anything of the kind,
for Floy is not one of the secret sort, and
mother would be apt of course to know,
too, and she would come to me about a
thing like that, suppose"
This was reassuring, but not salts
flying.
"What do you think of Quire" asked
Stevens, with burning eyes.
"Why, l don't know" Windward re-
sponded. II don't like him much-cer-
!hinly not in that light. | never talked
with Fioy about it; perhaps l ought to.
He makes himself agreeable, and they
are much together. What do you think?'
HE loves her." said Stevens fiercely.
"Ah, can see that much, and that side!
And it is only natural, suppose, that !
should watch her anxiously to discover
her feelings toward him. She likes him;
that is certain, and anybody can see.
AID l don't know-I tell you. l don't
want her to marry him. He is no
good"
"Oh, no, he is of no particular &C
count" said Windwsrd. Hes pretty
good fellow; mean in his way"
(which is very bad way" retorted
Stevens angrily, rising and pacing the
floor. "She might better marry clerk.
| declare, don't see why women love
the military-good women, l mean.
They are the truest and most devoted
Christians; the soldier is the natural en-
envy of Christ. Women are tender,
compassionate, and faint at blood; the
soldier is a professional homicide, a man
who makes living by killing prople.
Women are virtnous; the soldiers morals
are those of the camp and seaport. /
don't understand it. 1t is one of the
contradictions of human nature. Still,
we must recognize facts, and rs a matter
of fact-it may be but jealousy look
on Quire as dangerous man. The first
you know he will win her, if the thing
is let go by default, or mismanaged.
You asked my judgment, Windward,
and there it is. confess I'm very much
prejudiced; still it's a matter I've had
cause to study pretty closely"
well, I'll talk it over with mother
tonight" said Windward. and we
will find some way of sounding Florence.
But, pshaw, don't believe she is going
to marry a man just because ne has seen
a volcano"
"You can't tell" said the fearful
lover. Good women, and choice wom-
en-, have married men for less reason
even than that"
"True; they're curious" observed
Windward, with the air of philosopher
who has had large experience with the
wiles and freaks OF the sex.
Il declare, it's nearly 8 o'clock" ex-
claimed Stevens. Il must be getting
over to the hotel though l. feel terribly
unlike work. Well, Windward, l think
we understand each other, and you can't