San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-12-10
HOUSE To LET.

"a
door of Mrs. Spencers boudoir Oats
private. dat ar isl
Anything wrong in the room?" sharp
ly questioned the woman.
Nom" stolidly responded Dorcas.
Ceilings cracked? Water pipes
burst?'
Nom"
'Then why can't see it," with a
sudden push in that direction.
She might as well have attempted TO
charge a battery of artillery. Old Dorcas
stood immovable.
Lady amt well, mum" said she.
Cant nobody go in dat room? Tole you
50 aforer
Anything contagious"
Nom"
"Sure?"
"Yes'm. sartin shuahp'
Very WELL" said the house hunter,
with a forward jerk of her chin; 81 shall
take no house that can't see every inch
Off and she founced out.
All day long Dorcas fought the army
of investigators valiantly, and at night,
as she herself observed, "she was jes' as
tired as if she'd done a double days
wash" Stout ladies peered into the sub
cellar and denounced the drainage; lean
ladies poked their parasols into the
kitchen sink and tore off strips of the
hall paper Deep voiced men parleyed
as to the monthly rental; fat old gentle
men asked questions in husky accents.
Il shall go crazy" said Dorcas
The next morning, however, dove
winged Peace once more settled down on
the field of action The agent came up
and removed the bill.
The house is taken" said he
Who's took it?' demanded Dorcas.
who CHANGED just then to be securing
the brasses. But the agent either did
not know or would not tell. Dorcas
heaved a deep sigh Den" says she,
we've got to cl'ar out"
The landlord sent Selma polite note
in day or two. He had concluded, he
wrote, to accept her offer of the furni-
ture and belongings as an equivalent for
a certain portion of the unpaid rent.
Now" said Dorcas, what is we to
dor
Poor Mrs. Spencer was all in futter
The Newport scheme delighted her, and
she was very busy looking over her
wardrobe with reference to the coming
visit. Selma had written to the aunt of
an old schoolmate of hers, who kept
boarding house in the fair seaside city
asking her lowest price for a comfort
able room. DOrcas was to go with Mrs.
Spencer as attendant and maid, and
Selma had resolved to hire a room in
New York and board herself as well as
she could.
But this has been dear old home"
she murmured. II wonder who will
sleep in my room; wonder whose hands
will strike the yellow keys of mammals
old piano and dust my flowing blue
china and arrange the old fiddle backed
chairs.
The purple sunlight shone softly in
the scent of stalk of hyacinths in a
glass on the mantel brought back remi
niscences Of the old southern flower gar,
dens, and all of sudden a voice which
she had last heard in those very gardens
struck on her ear.
''Seliua-have startled YOU"
Mr.. Berkeley"
He extended a cordial hand.
Perhaps yOu fancied that | could not
trace you OUT" said he. But am bet
ter at hide and seek than you thought"
She cOurtesied haughtily. His hand
some cOuntenance fell. Evidently he
was deeply disappointed.
Are you not glad to see me, Selina?'
he exclaimed "Ah, Selma! Ihad count
ed SO much on this interview! | had
planned to renew my suite ask you
once more to be my wife"
She drew her slight figure up.
You are presuming too much on my
very evident poverty, Mr. Berkeley
said she. Il refused you when was
Miss Spencer, Of Spencer Vale. What
sort of woman should / be if | were
now to accept yOu-simply as a protec-
ton against adversity?''
But. Sellna"-
Pray excuse Inc from any further dis
cuSsion of the question" said Selma.
May not hope to see your mother?
he persisted
Il should prefer not"
DO you know, Selma" he said, after
brief silence. that this is a, very bit
ter modification to me:
Is it? Then what must it be to mey
she retorted, almost fiercely, looking up
at him
He stood a second or two gazing sadly
at her. Stung by the scrutiny she
swept from the room like an angered
princess.
half a minute later she came hurrying