San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-08-20

Dan TdnClSCO 10 JIlo effect JldL ne was
ON the point of starting for the east, and
that he took the liberty of forwarding to
her his letters of introduction as prelim.
mary to paying his respects to her in
person. But on the particular evening
of my arrival | found Aunt Agnes
oblivious to everything except a piece of
information which, though far from in
credible to me, had evidently been to her
like lightning from clear sky. The for.
bidding manner in which she received
me led me to fancy that had displeased
her, and remembering her previous dis
covery, the awful suspicion that she had
ferreted out my secret seized me for an
instant But was speedily treasured.
81 am glad you are here, Virginia, if
only to read this. You were right
child, after all; and | am an old fool
over whose eyes any one seems to be able
to pull the wool"
She spoke in her sternest tones, and
held out to me newspaper in which
was the announcement of the nuptials of
Mr.. Charles Liversage Spence and Miss
Lucretia Kingsley-"no cards"
Did you not know they were en-
gagedY" inquired.
81 know nothing but what you see
there" replied my aunt; land what is
more. | wish to know nothing further"
"They have acted for some time as if
they were engaged. If they are in love
with each other it seems best that they
should be married after ALL" said, not
caring to express my opinion as to the
especial fitness of the match with any
greater emphasis.
"In love with each other! What right
had she to fall in love with him. should
like to know" she exclaimed. with in
dignation she a mere disciple, a pupil,
to fall in love with the master; aspire to
be the wife of man as far superior to
her as q planet to an ordinary start Bah!
Fall in love with him! Tell mel 1t was
bad enough when he fell in love with
you, Virginia; but this is fifty times
worse, because she knew better, and I'M
derstood the value of celibacy to such
life Her conduct amounts to utter self
ishness.'
81 think Miss Kingsley has had de-
signs on Mr.. Spence for long time.
That was why she was so bitter against
me-" said.
would that you had married him,
Virginia. could have endured that.
But this is disgustingl | never wish to
see either of them again" emphatically
remarked Aunt Agnes.
1t was useless to represent to her that
Mrs. Spence was very much in love with
her husband, and that on that account
would doubtless strive to make him
happy. 1t was the fact of their marriage
that distressed her, and, unlike me, she
did not think of plying Mr., Spence be-
cause of any flaws in the disposition of
his wife. | tried, therefore, to dismiss
the matter from the conversation as soon
as possible, and before the end of the
evening her mood was so far Modified
that she introduced the subject of the
Honorable Ernest's arrival.
Eyes, Virginia" she said, sit is forty
one years ago that | made the ocean pas
sage with that young mans father, and
we nave CNCl SlhSC'
is what comes of being systematic in
ones habits Now, don't go fancying
that there was anything more in it than
there really was. We were friends simply,
nothing else. But friend means some
thing to me, and mean to receive this
young man into my house and show
him every attention in my power. And
you tell me that you have met him in
New York, and like him very much? !
am not match maker Virginia, like
your Aunt Helen, but it will doubtless
be very agreeable to both the families if
you young people should happen to take
a fancy to each other Stranger things
have occurred, and since 1t is evident to
me from an intimate knowledge of your
character that you are sure to marry
some day, ! know of no one whom 1t
would please me SO much to intrust your
future happiness to as the son OF my
old friend. His presumptive rank would
probably weigh far more with you than
with me. Provided the young man has
nigh principles and a steadfast purpose.
| shall be content"
laughed gently in reply, | had made
up my mind not to thwart the old lady
openly. 1t would be time enough for
that later if the honorable Britain ever
should come to the point 1t was such
a novel coincidence that my aunts should
agree for once on anything that the
thought of putting myself in antagonism
with them did not occur to me seriously
for a moment. felt the humor of the
situation, and was also filled at once
with the desire to harmonic, them for
ever by means of this common interest.
1--WE will see, Aunt Agnes, what ne
thinks of me" said; and all through
my visit Of two DAYS dropped hints Of