San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-03-04

IzkS=..::sse suaXa3s1
ness ABOUT his lips that bespeaxs seUtleu
purpose not to be laid aside for any reason.
and that adds some years to his age
Monica has turned to him. The tangled
wool has fallen unconsciously from her
hands to her feet Her lips are parted. her
eyes wide; she sways little Then a soft
rapturous cry breaks from her; there is
simultaneous movement on his part and on
hers; and then-she is in his arms.
For few moments speech is impossible
to them; there seems nothing in the wide
world but he to her, and she to him.
Then he lifts her face, and looks at her
long and eagerly.
Eyes, have found you again, my love-
at last" he says.
"Ah! how long it has seemedp whispers
she, with tears in her eyes.
A terrible silence fills the room, -asience
that grows almost unbearable, until at
length it is broken by Miss Priscilla. Her
voice is low, and hushed and broken.
Monica, why did you deceive usr' she
says.
There is reproach, agonized disappoint-
| ment, in her tone, but no anger.
To these poor old women the moment is
! tragical. The child of their last years-the
| one thing they had held most dear and
sacred-has proved unworthy, has linked
herself with the opposition, has entered the
lists Of the enemy. They are quite calm,
| though trembling. Their grief is too great
| for tears. But they stand together, and
| there is a lost and heart-broken look about
them.
| Monica, seeing II, breaks away from her
| lovers restraining arms, and, running to
Miss Priscilla, falls down on her knees be-
| fore her, and, clasping her waist with her
soft, white arms, bursts into bitter tears.
| She clings to Miss Priscilla; but the old
lady, though her distress is very apparent
| stands proudly erect, and looks not at her,
| but at Desmond. The tears gathered slowly
| in her eyes-tears come ever slowly to those
| whose youth lies far behind-and fall upon
| the repentant sunny head; but the owner
| shows no sign of forgiveness; yet l think
she would have dearly liked to take the
sweet sinner in her arms 10 coW fort and for.
| give her, but for the rrde sId vounfal
feeling that oyermaStersS hsr.
| Your presence here, sii, ie fE irs1s =
she says to Desmond, meaning to be stern
but her grief has washed away the inciviity
of her little speech and has left 1t only
vaguely reproachful. Desmond lowers his
head before her gaze, and refrains from an
swer or explanation. A great sorrow for
the defenselessness of their sorrow has
arisen in his breast for these old aunts, and
killed all meaner thoughts. l think he
would have felt degree Of relief il they
| had both fallen upon him, and said hard
things to him, and so reyenged themselves
in part. .|
Monica is sobbing bitterly. Not able to
endure her grief, Desmond, going even to
the feet Of Miss Priscilla, tries to raise her
from the ground. But she clings even more
closely to Miss Priscilla, and SO mutely re-
fuses to 60 to him. "'" NN .t..
A pang, sudden thought shoots through
him, and renders him desperate. Will they
be bad to his poor little girl when he is
gone? will they scold her? ''" '''
''Oh, madame" he says TO Miss Priscilla,
with break in his voice, TRY to forgive
her; be gentle with her. It was all my
fault-mine entirely. l loved her, and
when she refused to hear me plead my
cause, and shrunk from me because Of the
unhappy division that separates my family
from yours, and because Of her reverence
for your wishes, l still urged her, and In
duced her to meet me secretly"
"You did an evil deed, sir" says Miss
Priscilla N'.H
II acknowledge Il / am altogether to
blame" says Desmond, hastily. 'She has
had nothing to do with 1t. Do not, be-
seech you, say anything to her when am
gone that may augment her self-reproach."
He looks with appealing eyes atMiss Blake,
his hand on Monica's shoulder, who has her
face hidden in fold of her aunt's gown.
"Sir," says Miss Priscilla, drawing her
self up, with touch of old-world grandeur
in her manner, but sad tremulousness in
j her tone, my niece has been with us now
for some time, and we have dared to hope
she has been treated in accordance with the
great love we feel for her."
"The great love-" echoes Miss Penelope
gently. Though deeply distressed, both old
ladies are conscious of a subdued admiration
for the young man, because OF the tenderness
of his fears for his beloved.
But if" says Miss Priscilla, with 9
mournful glance at the pretty bowed head
eff she thinks we have failed in our love
toward her, as indeed it may be, by you
finding it necessary to ask us to treat hel
with kindness in this trouble,-we can only
say to her that we regret,-that we
Here she breaks down, and covers her SAD
old face with her trembling hands.
Monica springs TO her feet.
"Oh, auntiep she says, a world of low
and hope, reproach and penitence in he
voice. She throws her arms round her aunti
neck; and, Miss Priscilla clasping her II
| turn, somehow in one moment the crime /:
condoned, and youth and age are met in :
fond embrace.
go, sir" says Miss Priscilla, presently
without lifting her eyes. There is so much
gentleness in her tone that the young mar
| is emboldened to ask question.
you will 10 fssss}s III sAZ s
| L. a. or.a n. ,rr a STA. 4; =. re,