San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-09-21

you are Wrong. .;s.tiiTirit you'uoucneu
me at "a tender point when you men
toned the burning of my house and the
stabbing of my daughter; but say to
you now that l can and do forgive even
those outrages-that is, | do not hold
them a charge against the individual
who committed them in the name of
war and liberty and national glory A
soldier is a mere machine"
You had better be careful what you
are saying" exclaimed Julian, his eyes
cleaning strangely; II shall hold you
fast on every word Do | understand
you to say that you are nobly generous
enough to freely forgive the man. if you
could find him, who with his own hand
applied the torch to the Chenier home
stead and thrust your daughter through
the arm with bayonet-is that what
you mean?
Yes, sir" was the prompt reply;
Eyes, sir, that is what mean. 4 battle
was being fought all around my house,
and my daughter, in the supreme mo-
ment of excitement, fired upon the de-
tachment that stormed the place. OF
course she took the chances of war"
Colonel Chenier held his head high as
he spoke, with the air Of one who feels
the grandeur of his sentiments.
Julian smiled increduously, and lay
for a moment eying the dark faced,
soldierly man as if contemplating a
spring upon him, then he said:
You'll take every word of that back in
less than FIVE minutes. Colonel Chenier."
The colonel smiled and shook his head,
saying;
No, you do not know me yet; you do
not know the southern people yet. We
are much better than your newspapers
represent"
well, permit me to introduce to you
in person the incendiary who burned
your mansion and the rufian who
stabbed your daughter"
Certainly, sir, whenever you can"
II am the man"
Colonel Chenier laughed.
you need not try to make a joke of
it," cried Julian; Il swear to you upon
the honor of man and friend that !
am the very man."
You! pshaw, sir, the idea is prepos-
terous!" Colonel Chenier said this with
great effort to be light; but he had caught
something from Julians voice that chilled
him.
go ask Miss Adelaide-she recognized
me; she'll tell you who | am" the young
man cried, impetuously gesticulating
with the index finger of his right hand.
Are you serious? Are you sincere?
Do you mean
Il am serious-l am sincere-I mean
every word say" Julian said with en-
phasis; and am anxious to know where
your theory is now! Do you still think
you can control your prejudice"
Colonel Chenier looked at Julian for
moment in silent inquiry; then his dark
face grew darker, and his eyes took on a
strange gloominess.
Adelaide came in with a tray Of cut
flowers, jasmines, roses. violets and gera-
NUNS.
How are you feeling this morning,
Mr.. Julian| she inquired, as she put her
brilliant and fragrant load on the table
near his window.
"Ohsthank you, am ever so much
BETTER am enormously relieved" he
exclaimed Il have just unburdened
myself to your father-told him who
am and what did"
She glanced hastily from the youn5
~ 600 a.
rs race to hey fathers, and Il look of
tl>uble leapel into her eyes.
He does not think it possible that
am the ircendiary and assassin both in
one, He does not like to believe
81 think you are exciting yourself too
much, Mr. Julian" she said; you know
what the doctor ordered" She gave
him warning look, and then turned to
her father.
II have forgiven him, papa, and of
course you will too" she gently said,
slipping an arm about the colonels neck.
"Oh, he promised me that before
told him." said Julian.
Colonel Chenier put aside his daugh-
ter, and. taking his crutch, left the room
without another word.
Adelaide stood looking after him till
he passed out of sight; then she turned
10 Julian and said:
1T will be all right; | am glad you
have told him"
And Rosalie:" he exclaimed.
Adelaide involuntarily put her hand
IN her breast and in a faltering voice re-
piled:
II don't know am not sure We
need not tell ner, need WEI
Her voice had some Subtle sweetness
in it that touched Julian strangely
"Yes | shall tell her As sOOn rs | eIl