San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-06-18


of fragrant life. The deep embrasures
of the windows and the alcoves that
broke the U,,;fOr'ai:'' - t,,2 walls were
curtainel with eHs5rn fabrics, soft as
gOsSa:Mer to tie tOr-A and 'exquisitely
tinted. IAr~2 "-,rr :.auy hooks and
corners that wO1l,,, - Il, NGlcd by hand
some v0ut'.5 &uh low, 5 ln&idens as ideal
rctra&,5 fer loT2 u>..i-s. The ample
scale OF the apartments was partly dis
gCised l.y th&ir accurate proportions,
They seemed not TOO large for the daily
habitation oi al ordinary household, and
they would easily accommodate three or
four hundred guests. The hosts fair
colleague hal N. hiGg but admiration to
express: DCt at le:9:n. when they have
made the ci.,UiC Ct lie suit, she turned
to him in pe..'"Eity and said: But
what have Won dove with the dining
room-aud '"e dinner
They are in the back yard" replied
he with smile; come and seer
4 pOrtiCre WAS drawn aside from a
broad doorway, ard through the open
ing came . fresh blooming of brightness
and color md i viyi,u 1T rev space and
beauty. Here extended a vaulted
saloon, oval as an err, and walls and
ceiling Ill one solid surface of flowers.
Such q sight had never been beheld in
New York or elsewhere. For height
of seven fost fIu-i the floor all was
violcts; counties layiiads Of the tiny
purple blossoms Ove.iappcl one another,
so tnat but the tip of a child's little
f2ger could have been inserted between
Ilem. Above the violets was bunch
o. yellow jonquils and narcissuses, three
feet in width. forming frieZe, and,
above all, the domed roof was vault
OF roses, the color perfectly graduated
rom white below, through pink to red
1T the top. Three great candelabra of
Venetian glass, shaped in the form of
Nv branching flowers, depended from
:" ceiling. By some invisible contriv-
d%ca fine sprays of water played over the
Covers and kept them fresh.
The floor was Of polished oak, con-
;,ructed for dancing, the whole magical
.l-iiice covering the area of the garden
It tire back of the house. 1t was here
that the dinner was 10 take place. The
table was designed in the form of spiral
r helix, aifording easy sitting room for
I'll the guests, and yet keeping them all
III sight and speaking distance of one
another. The table service was Indian
porcelain. with center pieces of silver
wrought by hand. AT the upper end of
the saloon a fountain splashed in great
JGsin of crystal, surrounded by delicate
terms, and behind silver trellis work
covered with growing vines, were &C
commodations for musicians. The count
Explained to his companion that the table
was so contrived that it could be re-
moved in a few minutes, and the floor
eft free for dancing. Il have some other
little features" he added, (which will
appear when the time comes; | will not
ire you by forcing you to review them
nuw. You have seen enough"
The beautiful Sallie sighed. She was
IN ambitious woman, and she loved
gplenGOr and power. She understood
that Count de Lisle had suggested more
ilan he had performed in his prepare
ions for this unparalleled entertain
net Everything was made to appear
- simple as possible: only IN educated
Intelligence could divine the enormous
resources necessary to Cr2at" this result.
She had dreamed of such resources, and
wH5 conscious Of the ability to admins
IT them, had she had them. By her
:.,,e stood the nan who could, if he
wuG.d, cndOw her with them. He and
he together could command as brilliant
q destiny as had ever fallen to the lot of
mortals She drew a long breath and
arched her hrOws. Had she not within
herself the Means TO attract him? Was
not the fact that she was here tonight
an indication of his preference? She put
her hand within the arm he offered her
and leaned upon it, and looked up in his
face
You are not Disappointed he said.
Il have never been content till now
she answered.
You are quite content. then"
"Yes-almOst"
He met her glance as if he understood,
and accepted yelled meaning in her
words. They moved out of the saloon
and returned to the reception room.
Il will take you upstairs" he said,
Ito the room which | have placed at
your exclusive disposal for the evening.
There you can rest while | attend to
what remains to be done. There is still
an hour or two before the guests will
arrive When it is time | will sum-
mon you"
They mounted to the second floor &C
cordingly, she still leaning on his arm.
He left her on the threshold of the
-oo,r, md tho door L.ln.nd hnhind her