San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-01-20

II we had been in any private place L
think l should almost-upon the Impulse
@ the moment and under the influence
of my penitence and love-have gone
upon my lnees to him to ask his pardon,
but we were in the main street of the
village.
When we had turned into Quiet,
shady lane he said, not quite so harshly
as before:
"Wiil you tell me who sent you that
letter.
I've often thought since how curious
it was That never once, in my innocent
soul, disputed his undoubted right to
question me or dreamed of further de-
ceiving him. There had been no word
of love between us, and l was the
promised wife of another; but stood
like u criminal before his lawful judge,
and prepared to give an account of my
self to the only man whom my heart
acknowledged as her master.
"The letter is from Mr.. Alfred Car
son. said almost inaudibly. "A-a-
gentleman-to whom p
l had intended to say bravely, ''to
whom am engaged" but catching q
glimpse of his stern, pale face my cour-
age failed, and l substituted, ''to whom
write occasionally"
"In-deedr' with concentrated bitter
ness, ito whom you write occasionally"
His angry eyes fairly blazed with scon
as he repeated my words. 'And pray
by what right do you write to him? l
love you. You know that, l pre-
sume?"
He paused impatiently, and l muir
INJURED breathlessly, Eyes" l did know
it-now, and couldn't have helped own
ing it to save my SOUL
"Yes, and you love me! You know
that, too. don't your Again he paused,
and again murmured Eyes" in spite Of
myself.
"And, knowing this, how dare you
write occasionally to him or any other
man? Do you think l shall permit my
future wife Again he paused, looked
at me moment, glanced quickly up
and down the lonely lane, and caught
me in his arms. "Forgive-forgive mel"
he murmured, as wept and sobbed ON
his bosom. You made me so angry
SO jealous, pet, and Inever knew what
it was to be jealous before. What
brute was to get into such passionl
You do love me, don't you? There, don't
Cry any more-read the fellows letter
and then answer it and tell him you're
engaged to be married to me, and that'n
end the bushes"
A strange love maling-a lordly sort
of wooing But / found no fault with
it. l never dreamed of gainsaying a
word he said, except where it was neces-
sary for me TO set him right; that did
honestly, though with heavy heart.
Il wish l could tell him So said
sadly, disengaging myself from his en-
brace and standing sorrowfully before
him. But that's impossible. l have
been foolish, mserably thoughtless
girl and have brought suffering upon
myself and him, and, worst of all, ON
you. You'll hate me when you know
the truth, Frank. Long before you
came back was engaged to Mr.. Carson
-seriously-snd with papa's consent.
and-and-we'ret to be married-in about
six months
My voice broke down, and I hid my
face in my hands. He never answered
a word.
Presently the silence became unen-
durable, and looked up.
Speak to me, Frank" cried, terri
fed and heart stricken. "If it is only to
reproach me, speak to mer'
"Do you mean this?" he asked slowly.
Icould only sob and weep for answer.
"You have been playing false to the
man you are to marry and making jest
and fool of me-of me, who trusted
and loved your
He paused for an answer, but 1 made
none. His tone grew deeper and more
angry.
II am glad to know the truth at last.
have been deceived; you are not the
girl thought you-not at all the sort of
woman | should wish to marry. Mr.
Carson need fear no rival in mel don't
envy his prospects. And as this inter
view is not Of the pleasantest, and l
might if | remained longer forget that l
am talking to young lady-good after
noon
And raising his hat, with a slight,
quick bow, he turned and disappeared
down the lane, while | sank down
among the long grass and weeds, weep
ing bitterly and feeling as If all the hap
piness and brightness of life were over,
and all its care and pain and misery just
begun.
felt quite sure of it two months
latn. ,,rhnr, nftnr. a brief and snddan ILL