San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-01-08

Trim of the big leaves, Thomas, be-
fore you bring them in," the voice cried;
and Bennie Standish bounded into the
room, her arms full OF flowers and forest
leaves, her big garden hat falling back
from masses of golden hair, blown about
fair young face flushed with exercise
and health.
She was by no means one of those
beauties who set sentimental poets
dreaming, or make young artists rave
for profles, But she was fresh, viva
cious girl, with the grace of womanhood
and the charm Of childhood. A COM
plexion of milk and strawberries was
toned by a piquant sauciness and pride
combined; while the deep blue eyes, nat
urally twinkling with merriment, had
in them something that spoke of strong
viii, scarcely educated to control, which
might on occasion fash out of them
dangerously.
A willowy figure, quite plump enough
for symmetry, completed an attractive
picture, if not very striking one. Early
iClJ llObuCl lCoS, DClkIiC bdu ui-
ceasingly and unreasoningly spoiled her,
while his sister-in-law's alternating ten
derness and severity were regarded
rather as jest than a restraint
Care and money had both been Law
ished to give Bonnie those accomplish
ments that fit our young ladies so per-
fectly for brides, if not for wives: and
it was due to her innate truth of nature
and her clear intuitions of right and
wrong that they had left her the pure
hearted girl she was. A finishing trip to
Europe, lasting two years, had returned
her heart whole, quick witted, and not a
little reckless; but that often misused
and meaning term fast" had never
been coupled with any act of hers.
Mr.. Standish let his easy going dispo-
sition dominate all his business habits,
and it left him this year heavily in
volved, especially to the wealthy south
ern planter whose partner he had become
in cotton speculation. This Mr.. Beverly
Mason had migrated to 1.-The southwest
and had largely prospered there. Gen
orally accounted the very hardest of
creditors, he had shown peculiar leniency
in this Casa mystery that was cleared
by his proposal, after much delay and
with unwonted shyness, to make the
hope of the Standish household the head
of his own.
At first Bonnie herself seemed strange
ly indifferent to the proposed arrange
ments, regarding them as future pos
sibility. She had contented herself with
a few fippant speeches, but Miss Ia
bitha had raised the song of triumph.
only checking the jubilant strain long
enough to reproach her brother-in- law
for not joining loudly in the chorus.
Vague rumors of coming trouble be-
tween the states of the Union had hast
ened Mr.. Mason, summer though it was,
to New Orleans on matters of moment,
and, fearing to leave SO tempting a prize
behind during indefinite absence, he had
warmly pressed for an immediate mar
rage. Again Miss Fay had overridden
her brothers feebly opposed objections,
and again Bonnie had made no decided
remonstrance. At times she would fall
into absent moods, suddenly waking
into bitter vein and deriding the situa-
ton with mecking laughter. that left
the sting under it after the echo had
died away.
So it fell out that on this bright June
day every preparation was complete for
uniting May and December at the little
church near by. Hiss Fay's triumph
was completed by the surlmoning OF a
famous bishop TO perform the rite. The
wedding was to take place at sunset, and
the happy pair were to take tho evening
boat for New York. Mr.. Standish had,
however, insisted on one point, from
which all the spinster's ''Song of Judith
could not move him. The hasty nup-
tials were to be as quiet and private as
it was possible to keep then.
All that morning the bride elect had
seemed perfectly happy; indeed, reck-
lessly gay and "quite unwomanly," as
Miss FAY described her mood.
Smell those, you dear old papa!" she
cried, rosy and painting, as she opened
her plump arms and dropped their fra
grant load upon the floor. And then the
arms locked tightly around the old mans
neck one instant, ere she turned to her
aunt:
See, Tab, what a rent I've made in my
skirt. But I've had my Last scamper
over the dear old hills until come back,
if ever-krs. Beverly Masoni" -..
The rich, musical laugh, rounding the
words as though they were too good a
joke to keep, stopped with strange
abruptness, and no laughter in the eyes
bore it company. Standish bent down
and pressed his lips to the flushed brow.
GLOW rosy and plump you look, little