San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-11-11
OIlce!''

-
Welcome, my fr0mcm! I hope you Gre
not jdtiguCd.
"Won't You have cup of tea first misst
You are looking dreadful badr'
mo, thank you, Hooper,
She went quickly upstairs to her grand
mothers room, and having paused for
second at the door, went in softly.
Mrs. Newburgh sat at a writing-table
covered with letters, papers, account and
check books-Some notes and gold at her
right hand. She was wrapped in a morn
ing-gown of dark-red cashmere, and her
gray hair was neatly arranged under her
lace cap; but Mona was startled by the
ghastlinesS of her face, Mrs. Newburgh
had borne the wear and tear OF time well,
and having accepted her age without
struggle for youthful appearance, did not
look her seventy-sIX years Now she might
have been hundred Her cheeks seemed
thinner and more sunken; wrinkles had
come about her mouth, the muscles of
which were relaxed into n downward
curve; her face was deadly white; her keen
dark eyes were dim and frightened; the
hands which lay on the table were yellow
pity at the sight of such a wreck.
"Oh, grannic!-dear grannie" was all
she could say, coming quickly to her and
gathering up the cold, withcred hands into
her own, as she kissed her cheek
The old lady clasped her almost convul.
sively.
81 thought You would never come" she
whispered brOkenly do you know that
everything is gone-everything? We can
not stay here This is the last money ]
can call my Own"-and she freed one hand
TO clutch the gold and notes. II don't
seem able to understand the figures or
anything You will not leave me, Mona?
Hooper is so cross that"-gathering force
by supreme effort, and speaking with
something of her natural decisiOn-"I
should in any case dismiss her; for me all
is over am too old to struggle any long
er. have fought brave fight, but Fate
is against me. Mona, my child, can you
forgive me for losing the little fortune l
intended for you? Somebody told me
ought to draw out of that company for
get Who'll forget all the names; but ]
thought | might wait little longer-the
interest was so highland / have beggared
you! Can you forgive me?"
Forgive yOu!' cried Mona, sinking on
her knees, and claspIng her arms round
her trembling grandmother. What have
l to forgive? Rather let me pray your for
giveness for my want of obedience and
submissiveness! Where should | be but
for you? | owe you everything! Send
away Hooper, will be your maid, your
nurse, your servant-anything that can
help or comfort your
Foolish, hasty childv' murmured Mrs.
Newburgh, laying her hand tenderly on
the young head pressed against her. 81
believe you love me a little"
Il do love you, dearl l will do whatever
you wish; and do not be so cast down
something will be arranged for us. We
can go away and live in the country, then
we shall not want expensive dresses and"
You little know-you little know"
murmured Mrs Newburgh, THANK God,
l have few debts! I thiak l have paid
every one-intending to 90 abroad for some
months. This has been an expensive year,
and there was no time for you to make o
good alliance. No time-no time"
But, grannie, dear, you do not know |
what prince in disguise l may captivate,' |
said Mona, rising and drawing a chair be- |
side her. "Penniless girls marry often"
She would have said anything to cheer |
her.
''Ah! but no jewel looks we'll if it is not |
well set. Men may not want money with |
their brides, but they are almost always |
by mean surroundings. see no |
hope anywhere. Monochrome! Everything |
fades from me; yet am not imbecile."
"No, no! dearest grannie! This confus-
ion is only from physical weakness. Do !
not try yourself any more. l will write to .
Mr.. Oakley-to your solicitor-to come
here tomorrow; he will put things in or
der, and tell me what we ought to do. Let
me lock up all these papers and the money,
and give you some dinner or tea or some
thing. Thinking will do us no good. To
night will tell you all about Lady Mary
and my visit, then will sit by you till you
are asleep. Hooper shall put the chair.
bed beside yours. 1 shall sleep here to
night."
lit would be best" murmured Mrs.
gladly resigning herself to her
guidance. II do not
want much; but for you-ah, Mona! it Il