San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-02-18

Il
came with those two old Miss Blakes?" asks
the Youthful old woman, with a profoundly
Juvenile lisp.
Path. | don't know about her being
washed out" says Madam O'Connor, blunt
", II think she is the Professionalism I've
seen this many day
.You are so impulsye, my dear TheresaP
saws her friend, with shipper; all your
| geese are swans" >.
And other peoples swans my geese, l
| suppose" says Madam, with glance at
| the tall girl, which somehow brings the con-
versatiOn TO full stop.
Meantime, Monica is crossing the soft
turf, with the moody man called RoSsmoyne
beside her. She can see her goal in the dis
tanee, and finds comfort in the thought that
soon she must be there, as she cannot bring
herself to be agreeable to her new acquaint-
ance: and certainly he is feeling no desire
Just at present to be agreeable to her or 10
anybody.
As Monica comes nearer to her friend she
gaZes anXiOusly at her, as though to see if
time has worked a change in her.
She is quite a little woman, about iive-and-
twenty, but looking at least four years
younger than that. HereyeS are large, dark,
and mischievOus. Her hair is SO fair as to
be almost silvery: naturally wavy, ii is cut
upon the forehead in the prevailing fashion,
but not curled. Her mouth is small, muffin
Gus, and full of laughter; her nose distinct
ly retrOusse. Altogether she is distracting-
ly pretty, and, what goes. for more nova
days. very peculiar in style, and out of the
common.
She is exquiSitcly dressed in costume
that suggests Paris. She is a harmony in
black and white, as Lord ROSSmOyne told
her an hour ago, when he was not wearing
his discontinued expression. Seated beside
her is a tall pail id woman with cold face,
but very velvrty eyes and a smile rare but
handsome Every now and then this smile
betrayS itself, as her companion says any
thing thatchanceS To amuSe her. She is a
Mrs. Hcrrick a cousin of Olga BOhun'S, and
is now on a visit with her at AghyOhillbeg.
There are several men grouped round Mrs
BOhun, all in various standing positions
One man is lying at her feet. He is tall
slight young fellow. of about twenty-three,
with lean face, dark hair, and beautiful
teeth. He has, too. beautiful eyes, and a
most lovable expression, half boyiSh, but
intensely earnest and very sensitive.
He is looking up at Mrs. Bohun, and is
moyne come UP behind them.
Mrs. Bohun. rises hurriedly from her seat.
and, going up to the girl, embraces her
warmly.
An! my pretty Monica my little saint"
she cries, in her sweet, gay voice, what
happy breeze has blown you hither?'
Il am living here,-at MOyne,-with my
auntS, in happy, GREATNESS way. Some
tn nd |
knew it must be YOU was right. And to
day have found you
I'm always found out. as a rule" says
Mrs. BOhun, with light laugh. That is
my standing grievance. You know Hernia,
don't your indicating the tall, coId-lOOking
woman near her. who 50 far unbends as to
take MOnica'S hand kindly and bestow upon
her one of her handsome smiles. she has
come here to look after me and see that |
don't get into a Scrape or make myself ull-
happy
Could you be unhappy says RossmOyne,
from behind her chair, in so diSagreeable
tone that every one looks at him. DE
Cidcdly," thinks Monica to herself. The has
either neuralgia or an eXecrable temper
'MiSeraby So" says the pretty widow;
airily. Though, after all, )" Tefectively. Il
believe | have even agreateT talent for max
ing others so. That, however, is my mis-
fortune. not my fault. | was born So like
that poor man with the twisted neck"
We'll, this is not one of your miSerably
unhappy hours, at all events" says Hernia
Herrick. You have been i'm magnificent
spirits ever since you came to AgyOhillbeg."
You've learned it?' says Olga, staring at
her with pretended surprise. THE name, 1
mean. Well, you are clever. 1t takes most
people four long weeks. Oh, YES. / am bliss
fully happy here. | ought to be. 1t would
be the grOSseSt ingratitude if We're other
wise, as all the men have been good enough
to fall in love with me, and that of course,
is the principal thing"
AT this the young man at her feet smiles
openly and presses his face unperceived
against her gown; but ROSSmoyne throws
up MS head and glances with coldly dis
pleased expression into the vague distance.
Have you been here lOngr' asks Monica,
turning to her friend
Very long," pettishIy. Something-per-
hapS RoSSmOyne-haS annoyed the capri
ciouS beauty.
only fortnight" says Mrs. Herrick,
briefly. You must know that"
Il don't judge time by days and weeks; it
seems long" says Mrs. BOhun, ''years,-an
eternity aImostp'
A sudden gloom appears TO have fallen
upon the group. ROssmOyne'S dark face
grows darker still; the smile fades from RO-
haynes face, shadow falls athwart his
eyes.
Il think like the country" says Monica,
suddenly. 1T is so calm, so quiet, and there
are moments when. the very beauty of it
brings tears to my eyes"
Il love it too" says Ronayne, quickly, adj
dressing her pOintedly in friendly tone,
although no introduction has been gone
through between them. Il wonder how any
one who has once tasted the sweetness of it