San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-06-15


of their mannerisms. Many men are
alike in these things. But you must not
give way to such fancies, rest perfectly
quiet, you will soon recover"
And pouring out a glass of water, I
handed it to her, She slipped it slowly,
leaning back in the fauteuil where I
had placed her, and in silence we both
looked out Oh the November night.
There was moon but she was yelled sby
driving clouds, which ever and anon
swept asunder to show her cleaning pal
Idly white, like the restless spirit of a
deceived and murdered lady. A rising
wind moaned dismally among the fading
creepers and rustled the heavy branches
of giant cypress that stood on the
lawn like a huge spectral mourner
draped in black, apparently waiting for
big drops of rain fell-sudden tears
wrung as though by force from the
black heat of the sky. My wife shiv-
cred.
"Shut the Window" she said, glancing
back at me where l stood behind her
chair. 81 am much better now. 1t was
very silly. do not know what came
over me, but for the moment felt
afraid-horribly afraid-of your
"That was not complimentary to your
future husband" l remarked quietly,
as / closed and fastened the window
in obedience to her request. ''Should
not insist upon an Apology"
She laughed nervOusly, and played
with her ring of rose brillianta
sit is not yet too late l resumed; "if
on second thoughts you would rather
not marry me, you have only to say so. !
shall accept my fate with equanimity,
| andishall not blame you"
At this she seemed quite alarmed, and
| rising, laid her hand pleadingly on my
arm.
Surely you are not Offended?" she
said. 81 was not really afraid of you,
you know-it was stupid fancy-I can
not explain it. But l am quite well
now, and am only too happy. Why,
would not lose your love for all the world
you must believe me!''
And she touched my hand caressingly
with her lips. l withdrew it gently, and
stroked her hair with an almost parental
tenderness; then l said quietly;
''if so, we are agreed, and all Is well.
| Let me dvise you to take a long nights
| rest; your nerves are weak and some
| what shaken. You wish me to keep our
| engagement seCret?"
She thought for moment. then an
swered musingly-
| For the present perhaps it would be
| best. Though" and she laughed sit
would be delightful to see all the other
women Jealous and envious Of my good
| fortune! Still, II the news were told to
| any of our friends-who knows?-it
might accidentally reach Guido,
| and"
| 81 understand You may rely upon
my discretion. Good night, ContesSar'
| ''You may call me Nina" she muir
| INJURED softly.
Nina, then," said with some effort,
as lightly kissed her. Good night
may your dreams be of me!'
She responded TO this with gratified
smile, and as / left the room she waved
her hand in parting salute. My dia-
| monds flashed on it like small circlet
of fire; the light shed through the rose
colored lamps that hung from the painted
ceiling fell full on her exquisite lowell
ness, softening it into ethereal radiance
and delicacy, and when l strobe forth
from the house into the night air heavy
with the threatening gloom of coming
tempest, the picture of that fair face and
form fitted before me like mirage-the
glitter of her hair flashed on my vision
like little snakes of fire-her 1.-the hands
seemed to beckon me-her lips had left q
scorching heat on mine. Distracted will
the thoughts that tortured me, / walked
on and on for hours. The storm broke
at last, the rain poured in torrents, bu
needless of wind and weather,
wandered on like a forsaken fugi
tive. l seemed to be the only human
being left alive in world of wrath ant
darkness. The rush and roar OF tn
blast, the angry noise Of waves breaking
hurriedly on the shore, the swirlint
showers that fell on nv defenseless hea'