San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-04-14
The BaSsett Claim.
By HENRY B. ELLIOT.

Copyright by America Press Associatinaj
full thing siio JnougnG' IN nOJ''a very
sanity or festive spirit; SO it resolved
itself, as it had done before, into coy
little party of two. Oh, but the heuten-
ant was sly!
Hence Mr. Quire went one way to
dress, and Florence another, and Wind
ward a third, while Stevens and Miss
Sophia also went their respective ways,
meditating revenge.
Windward made very careful toilet
that night, as we are told was the
custom among the Spartan youth, also,
when about to face great danger. Then
he set out, with bunch of flowers hid
den in his overcoat, and reported himself
in good time at the cozy home of the be-
witching Miss Clara. She, too, had been
making pretty faces at twin sister in
quicksilver, until at length the sketch in
the glass had nodded its approval and
declared her perfect to the last ribbon
and feathery spray of hossy hair. And
then, and not till then, she tripped down
stairs as smiling as a May morning,
though possibly that comparison is hard
ly fair, either, for those same May days
are dangerous too. Very often they
catch men off their guard, so that while
they are eulogizing the balmy weather
they are contracting influenza colds,
pneumonia, pleurisy and a graveyard
cough.
But there was nothing chilly about
Miss Willis; she danced with delight at
the prospect of the good time ahead,
petted the dear, lovely flowers and made
Windward's cheeks burn with her fond
looks and speeches. And off they went
into the night, laughing and chatting,
Clara throwing back last, gay defiance
to her mother, who stood warning, re-
proving and admiring her from the door
step; away they went, Clara nesting
under her protectors arm and rafting
on" in her own peculiar and delightful
STYLE What a jolly girl! She seemed
made, as the Chinese make their por-
traits, without shadows.
Florence had once sightingly called
her useless" well, what then? So was
Florence, so were most girls. GAS for
me-" thought Windward, as he drew
Miss Clara even more snugly under his
arm, Il want useless girl-as useless as
a rose, or a gem, or a song"
In truth, he had full time for such
dangerous meditations, for Miss Clara's
theories on the division of labor in con-
versation gave her companion ample
leisure to muse on the charms of the
brisk little Lady beside him. As here
tofore explained, his part in the talk
consisted in exclaiming "Indeed" and
How very Interestingly at the proper
moment, and while to do this we'll is more
difficult than it seems, and, indeed, re-
quires conversational powers of a high
order, it still permitted him to dwell
with silent rapture on merry face, "a
diant with health and good nature,
framed inits fluffy aureole of rebellious
hair, and to note the other projections of
the plump, jolly, young witch How
very, very cozy such puss would look
in the corner along with the other brio
a-bracl
This evening, however, Windward had
tive share in the discourse, or for at least
giving it direction. He wished-in fact,
he was resolved-to interject McArdle
into the conversation, and, watching his
chance, he at length succeeded, Miss
Clara yielding the more readily because
if there was any one person more than
another of her acquaintance that she
liked to talk about it was the laconic colo
mel She gossiped about him, therefore,
to her hearts content in an odd, viva
cious mixture of school girl praise and
blame. Her anecdotes and smart speech
IS failed, however, to shed much light
On the colonels history, and 50, hoping
to make more progress on the other tack,
Windward brought the conversation
around to the subject of Louise; and
here again Clara had ready made
theme.
She's splendid, but she's deep; that's
the only trouble with Lou Sheffield; she
certainly is deep"
"Ah?' said Windward, anxious for de-
tails.
Eyes, she's deep" exclaimed Clara.
For instance, she don't care much for
dress. Oh, no! But she knows how to
match her complexion the best ever
knew Of -
"Oh!" said Windward, with tinge of
disappointment in his voice.
But hasn't she manners, though"
exclaimed Miss Willis, with genuine en-
thusiasm. Il remember here she
burst out in a peal of laughter, II re-
member the colonel saying to me once in
his solemn way, Louise is deeply re-
Egious, but a perfect lady, assure you,