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

at him through smiles and tears ana us
ordered bangs only to say;
"How utterly absurd"
To which philosophical remark ne
vouchsafed no reply whatever
1t is full minute before she RECEIVERS
even partially, either breath or sell
possession. Then she holds forth hel
hand, and he assists her to RISE
This is not the welcome lshould give
you. Shall we go to the house?
But even as she asks and her eyes
glance nervously, shyly, up into his face
She knows he will accept no invitation
that will peril this tete-a-tete. She sees
how the lines have deepened in hi:
frank. soidierly face, and that sadnes:
not all of his recent bereavement has
left its traces there. She would lead
him from the shaded grove to the par.
Tor. where the lamps are already begin.
ming to twinkle. but he will not bulge
one step. He stands confronting her.
mo! | have come solely to see you.
Is there any reason why we cannot star
here moment?" And she can think OF
none. Oh, what infamous fate that he
should have found her weeping-bathed
in tears!
II hardly thought to see you at all,
especially after-the great-sorrow Of
your fathers DEATH" she falters, her
heart leaping and bounding despite hen
effort to be calm
II am taking mother NORTH" he an
swers simply. 1T was cruel blow TO
her and hard one to me. 1t was all
over before Il could get home. Mother
will spend the summer with her sister
on the st. Lawrence, but she has to rest
in Cincinnati until tomorrow night !
left her with old friends this afternoon
and came cut here to find you. must
go back this evening And now have
you no word of welcome for me? Did
you not know that would come, loving
you as do?"
What answer can she make? Her head
is dropping low, her hands are clasped
together, her bosom heaving, her breath
futtering away, and yet how wild a joy
how exQuiSite hope is throbbing in her
heart of hearts!
Georgia speaks impulsively. his
deep voice trembling-''youm made me
accept your answer then and bear my
bitter disappointment without word
but have borne it too long now Had
you been at the other end of the world
must have followed you, for the longing
to see your dear face, to hear your voice,
to look into your glorious eyes, has over
mastered me time andtagain. had to
come, and now / will hear what it is that
stands between u.s. Gcd knows my love
and honor have beenyours long, long
year. God knows there can be no con-
tent or joy for me if your answer be
final You have bound my life in yours.
You won my whole heart, my deepest
gratitude. No; you cannot check me
by inpatient gesture now. You must
hear, You told me- there was no Other
man. Is that truey'
Perfectly" she answers proudly
And yet you would not listen to lne,
You would not be my wife"
You forget it was just after the trial
You seemed to think you owed me such
world of gratitude; and-do not men
sometimes mistake gratitude for lovei"
"Oh, heaven!" he linterrrr-' ier I'M
Petuouslylia hIs You S6s doubted me. Georai HS
n that were your reason is it not ban
ished now? Look-loek up into mveyes.
my darling, and tellme, if you dare,
that it is gratitude, nat leep and feryent
love, offer you. Nay, YOU shall see. /"
And before she could etTeat his strong,
trembling hands had seized her drooping
head, and between theAl her face, with
It's dark, lnstrous, swimpiing ewes, with
cheeks still tear wet. vet burning with
bushes chasing each other to her very
brows, her soft red lips quivering and
trembling at the dimpled co1ners-all-
all now lifted to his worshibin9 gaze:
and she can repel no longer. Oue swift
glance, and If ever vesCige o. doubt re-
manned 1t vanished then and there. No
woman on earth could have locked INFO
his eyes and denied the love thar burned
within them--all her own, all her own
Speak to me, Georgia. DO you be-
lieve me now?''
Yes" she whispers, and her face
would have hidden itself but for those
strong hands again.
And you have no love to give in re-
turn"
A little silvery beam is peeping through
the foliage now. The kittens, forgotten.
are rolling over each other in mad frolic
at their very feet. The last ehirp of
browsing bird has died away The ST.
lence of the sweet summer night has
fallen on all surrounding nature, yet he
can hardly hear her whisper
''You never asked it-until now"
But it is mine, really? Georgia. tell
me" be implores.
1T has been-all yonrs ever since the
ri crht Il no, ri l..tha,. c;,-n1.