San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-08-06

asked, rising from the sofa and prone
nading the room nervously, with his
hands in his pockets
"LiveY" l echoed
unfortunately we should have to eat
and drink, like everybody else. 1t was
pity" he continued rehectively, that
you flung that money overheard we
might have been very comfortable with
that"
Yes" replied, in dazed sort of way.
Was it the whole" He stood looking
at me with his head on one side.
THE whole of what
Was all the property your father gave
you in that box"
Certainly. wonder why you ask,
Roger"
He walked up and down few times
and then took a seat beside me.
Let US look at this matter in COM
mon sense way, Virginia. Heaven knows
| love You, and that am as romantic in
my feelings as any one could desire.
But suppose we were 10 marry without
your fathers consent, what would be
the result? We should starve. To speak
frankly, find it difficult enough to make
both ends meet as Il single man. You
are used TO every luxury and COM
fort, and have not been accustomed to
economic. Do not misunderstood
me, Virginia" he continued, speaking
quickly, struck perhaps by my express
sion, which, if my emotions were ade-
quately reflected therein. must have
made him uneasy. Il know that you
are capable of any sacrifice; 1t is who
am unwilling to permit you to give up
your fortune and your family for my
sake. If there were any chance of your
father relenting, if thought there was
a possibility that time would make a
difference in his views, | would not
speak SO. But as it Is see no alterna-
tive for us but an unsuccessful struggle
with poverty, that would end in unhap-
piness. 1t breaks my heart to come to
this conclusion. but justice to you, as
we'll as common sense, will not let me
suffer you to commit folly which after
the glamor of the moment was over you
would regret.
1t was the manner even more than the
matter OF his speech that stabbed me to
the heart. Had he spoken less calmly
and deliberately might have believed
that he shrank from accepting my self
sacrifice, and have regarded his dampen-
ing words as mere cloak for his own
generosity But his unconcerned and
dispassionate air left no doubt in my
mind that twas he who was unwilling
to face the romantic but desperate cir
cumstances in which my fathers decree
had placed MS Instinct told me that he
in whose constancy and in whose devo-
ton to ideality | had believed with all
the ardor and trust of which | was
capable, was false, and ready to subordi-
nate love like ours to temporal consid-
eratlons
Yet, with the persistence of one who
clutches at any semblance of hope how
ever slender refused to believe the
truth without further evidence.
Il should not be a burden to you,
than they suppose We could both work,
as well as you.
He shrugged his shoulders, and taking
both my hands in his looked into my
face w In trivial smile. so little in &C
cord with the intensity of my feelings
that almost shrieked with pain
DO ynu think | would allow my dear
girl to Genean herself IN Such way as
that: No, mol Love IN a cottage is a
delightful! theory, Uut put INTO practice
it becomes terribly Disappointing
drew away my hands from him and
sat for sOmIe moments III silence
Il think it is best that our engagement
should come to an end, " said presently
He made sigh of resignation, That
is for you to decide. 1t rests with you.
of course"
Il agree with you that 1t would be
very foolish of US to marry without my
fathers consent, Mr. Dale"
He drew himself up little, and looked
at me as if hurt Are you angry with
me, Virginia.
Angry? Why should be angry"
Then why call me Mr.. Dale?'
Because" | answered quietly and
firmly, though | felt my anger rising
unless you are to be my husband, you
must be Mr. Dale"
Can we not be friends?" he asked. in
a detected tone.
I'VE can never be anything else,"
answered, with some ambiguity and |
rose and rang the bell
The servant entered. Tell Mr.. Har-
Ian, please, that would like to speak to
him"
ii think we are acting for the best"
he said after an awkward pause