San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-04-14

parlor door to the sofa.
"Oh, nothing" grumbled Windward.
"Hushi" whispered Florence. Don't
disturb Miss Sophia; she sleeps now in
the back room. But really, brother, you
looked so forlorn. Please tell me; please,
Windward."
The poor, lonely, bruised heart melted.
"She's refused mer' he murmured, and
| he buried his face in his hands
"Why, my dear brother" whispered
Floy, putting her arm around her broth
er's neck. The horrid little -, to-
night, did she?'
Windward nodded assent.
'Sbe's just too hateful for anythingr'
Kissed Floy. II was going to put you on
your guard tomorrow. Tut! tut! Well,
Windward, dear, it's sad, of course, very
sad, but really and truly you're well outof
it, She isn't the woman you want, and
you'll begin to see it now. She's silly
and useless and treacherous, and as to
her beauty, she's all made up, and her
disposition is horrid; l can see that"
"Pshaw! it's easy enough to run her
down now" muttered Windward.
utNtI llhcu utI luoiotCo Il NY,
''nor mother neither. Fiddlesticks! All
that regret is that you gave her the
chance to jilt you. She's perfect born
| f1irt. I'm provoked at myself for not
| speaking before. It's my fault, darling,
this is. Men don't know anything about
women, especially if they're the least bit
| pretty" Here the other arm stole
around his neck, and the dear girl put
her sweet, pure lips to his aud kissed
them sweetly and kindly. Don't grieve,
Windward, she whispered. at is NOR
tifying, of course, but that will pass
away, and you will soon be glad you es-
capped. l feel bad, of course, but you
can't think how much worse / should
feel if you had told me she had taken
you"
These, somehow, were very comfort
ing words; his pride revived little; life
did not seem 50 utterly ruined; she
might be right
Thank you, Floy," he whispered; and
then rising, he kissed her good night
and they passed up stairs to their cham
bers. ....--
"Well, that ends it," soliloquized Miss
Sophia, settling back ON her pillow, as
their footsteps died in the halls. kiss
ing and whispering in the parlor at l
o'clock in the morning! Well, did not
suppose Florence Bassett was that kind
of girl, but it only shows one can never
tell As for that Lieut.. Quire, he is
capable of anything. Well, / thank the
Lord I've escaped his tolls l don't
want that sort of a mani"
And in token of her gratitude and JOY
at her deliverance she cried herself to
sleep.
There We're sleepy faces at breakfast
the next morning, but apparently no I'M
happy ones. The boarders met with
smiles, the common salutations were ex-
changed, and the dishes were dispatched
much as usual. Even the lieutenant got
his tidbit as if nothing had happened. All,
what q pother the world has made about
man in an iron mask! If now we could
find anybody without mask that might
be worth mentioning!
AS a side dish to the jests and pan
cakes the servant brought in the morn
ings mail, and as one item in it letter
to Mr.. Bassett from Mr. Blamms Wind
ward knew the handwriting, and in his
| passing mood was half inclined to throw
the missive unopened into the fire. He
quite agreed for the moment with the
member that Blamms wrote too many
enthusiastic letters. However, he tore
open the envelope YEARLY, and on read
ing its contents he grew rather interest
L "A -, to1a fold IF frpr1hla nd
anxiety.
my affairs are despret," he wrote.
eve got to get hel p somehow. Please
tell me if l can place any reliance on the
claim. If not let me know the worst at
| once"
This letter brought matters to head.
at is" thought Lawyer Bassett, Sin the
nature of instructions. And Blamms is
right 1t is time l should give him an
answer. 1t is fair day; I'll take a
walk and think it out-claim, Clara,
| Quire, and all the rest of EN-"
| And in this mind he set out for long
ramble, with his doubts for company;
nor did he turn his face again from nat
ure to men until he had travcrsed with
hasty steps much of that lovely wilder
ness that echoes the murmurs of Rock
Creek, and only waits its poet to be
| famous.
| Thehar walk cleared his mind and
fortified him to see and speak the truth.
81 believe I'll throw it no aal quit, he
soliloquized. Il don't see what good
am here. The longer l work on the
| claim the more doubtful Of success grow.
| have made terrible DiuIIer in love,