San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-02-21

enter II"
'Ronayne, possibly" says Rossmoyne,
with an unpleasant smile.
''Oh, dear, mop contemptuously; II came
here of my own free will. We all do foolish
things at times. / have not danced this last
because Mr.. ROnayne prefers pleasant con-
verse. l don't. thought you would never
come to seek me. What were you dOing?'
Hunting for you, and thinking every
minute an hour. These curtains"-tOuch-
ing them-''were Jealous of you, believe,
and sought to hide you"
"Well, don't be so long next time," she
says, looking up at him with smile that
little more pressure would make tender, and
laying her hand on his arm.
She moves away. ROnayne, drawing his
breath somewhat savagely, sits down on the
sill of the window and gaZes blankly into
the barrack-yard below. He has still her
programme in his hand, and is crumpling it
hardly knowing what he
does. But if disturbed in mind, it is always
such comfort to smash something, be it
paltry piece of pasteboard or ones most in
innate friend.
She had forgotten her card, probably, and
now it is almost useless. ROnayne's heart
Is full of bitterness, and he tries to swear to
himself that for the future he will cleanse
his heart of this coquette, who cares no more
for him-nay, far less-than she does fol-
her little toy terrier. Yet, even as these
stern resolves seek vainly to root them
selves in his breast, his eyes turn again to
the room beyond, and make search for the
siren who Is his undoing. She is still, of
course, with Rossmoyne, and Is all smiles
and pretty bushes, and is evidently both
content and happy.
II am fool "a madmant' he says to
himself; and even as he says it his eyes
light on Owen Kelly, who by chance is look.
ing at him too.
Crossing the room, the latter Gas though
drawn by the melancholy eyes that nave
met his) soon reaches the window where
Ronayne stands discOnsOlate.
why so pale and wan, fond loverT he
says, gayly, but with so kindly an intona-
ton that even the most pugnacious could
not take umbrage at it.
Now, Mr.. Kelly's knowledge on all mat
tiers is so clear and precise that Ronayne
does not dream of deceiying him in this
matter.
''Of course you will laugh at me, he says :;
'but somehow don't mind your ridicule
much. 1t means only this, that have Just
found out that she cares nothing at all for
me-"
'tShe, being Mrs. Bohun? Well, my dear
lad, If an elderly gentleman's experience is
of any use to you, you may have it cheap. /
believes she cares a great deal for you.
Lookers-on see most of the game, and
would back you against Rossmoyne any
day."
You are very good fellow" says Ulic
Ronayne, 1.-THE best know; but under
stand you. You are only saying that to
console me-"
Il am not, in faith; 1 say it because 1
think it."
II wish could think it"
''Try. If at first you don't succeed you
know, follow out the inestimable Watts
advice, and try again There's nothing
like it; it gets to be quite game in the long
run. / thank my stars" laughing, II have
never been a slave to the pathetic fallacy'
called love; yet it has its good points, ! sup
pose"
1T hasn't" says Ronayne, gloomily.
you terrify me-" says Mr.. Kelly, "be-
cause feel positive my day is yet to come,
and with all this misery before me l feel
suicidal. Don't, my dear fellow! don't look
like that! Give her up; go and fall in love
with some little girl of your own age or even
younger"
The "even" is offensive, but Ulic is too
far gone in melancholy to perceive it.
ut is too late for that kind Of advice" he
says; II want her, and her only. don't
know how to describe it, but
There are Chords" quotes his friend,
gravely.
Just So" says the miserable Ronayne,
quite as gravely; which 80 upsets the CRAWL
ty Of his companion that it is with difficulty
he conceals his ill-timed mirth.
"What is that mutilated article in your
hand%' he asks, at length, when he has con-
quered his muscles.
"This-eh oh, her card, 1 suppose" says
Ronayne, viciously. Yet even as he speaks
he smooths out the crumpled card, and re-
CARDS it with dismal tenderness as being in
part her.
YOU'RE engaged to her for the next" says
Mr.. Kelly, looking over his shoulder; what
an unfortunate thing! If / were you"
mournfulIy, II should go home. Get i'll.
Do something"
"And so let her think I'm wasting in des-
pair because she prefers another? No, l
sha'n't," says Ronayne, with sudden ANNA
ton. 81 shall see it out with her. If she
chooses to cancel this dance, well and good,
but shall certainly remind her she promis-
ed it to me-"
Rash boyw says Kelly, with sigh. "As
You refuse to hearken TO the voice of COM
mon sense, and aff1ict yourself with me-
grim, l leave you to your fate"
So saying, he turns aside, and, having
gone step or two, finds himself face to face
with Miss Beresford."
This dance is ours" he says, menda-
ciously, knowing well this is the first time
they have met this evening.
Monica laughs; to be angry with so sad
visaged man as Owen Kelly would be
cruelty.