San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-08-04

make my infatuation conspicuous by
walking with him in the streets. but
otherwise | did not attempt to disguise
the partlality felt for him. Had
mixed more with other girls before en-
tering society | might have been less
guileless But as it was, never thought
Of tempering by coquetry the satisfac-
ton visible in my face whenever Mr..
Dale appeared
This time | was prepared with an an
swer TO the question concerning his oc-
cupation down town:
He is in the wool business. and doing
very we'll
"A wool broker"
IL think so"
"Humph!"
My farAer walked up and down the
room few times. Il have already eau
toned you. Virginia. against false proph-
cts who come to you in sleeps cloth
ing"
He was jocose doubtless so as to pass
the matter off lightly and to spare my
feelings. But | chose to be offended,
and answered haughtily:
II don't understand what you mean"
He stood still and looked directly at
me. Simply this. Virginia. trust you
are too sensible to throw yourself away
on man who is not worthy Of you"
You do Mr.. Dale great injustice"
replied, with al assumption of dignity.
land me too" Whereupon | swept out
of the room.
| flung myself upon my bed and burst
into tears. These remarks of my father
and aunt were straws, but they showed
me how the wind was likely to blow.
Those upon whom had right to rely
for sympathy were ready to desert me
first of all 1t was cruel and unkind.
Had asked to be allowed to marry Mr..
Dale? Had either of US ever limited at
the subject? Never!
And yet my father was the first to cast
suspicious and make insinuations, for
understood his unjust taunt Sleeps
clothing, indeed Detraction was the
surest way to make me love him; for il
there was any one under the sun whose
sentiments were noble and unselfsh,
whose motives were manly and disinter-
ested. believe it was Roger Dale. Why
had my father spoken in such high terms
of my good sense only six months ago if
he thought it necessary to caution me
again today? felt bitter and wronged.
just then my glance CHANGED to fall on
the tin box in which We're TIE securities
my father had given me- in the autumn,
and blushed rs | reflected that except
to deposit the dividends chat were sent
to ne ] had done nothing toward under
standing the care of my property, had
used the checkbook to give Il little money
in charity and to pay some bills, but the
pile OF financial pamphlets lay on the
shelf of my desk still unread. had not
had time to devote myself to them, or
rather the time had slipped away before
| realized it.
There was some ground after all for
my fathers reproof. 1t was possible
that my neglect and apparent disregard
of his wishes had led him to speak Sc
verely of Mr. Dale. The thought COM
forted me and brought sleep to my eyes.
| rose early, and spent an hour before
breakfast in reading the annual report
of one of the railway companies in which
| held stock; and went down stairs with
confused mind, but with a sense of
awakened virtue. was cheerful and
animated at table, and asked several
questions concerning mortgage bonds
and sinking funds that brought a pleas
ant expression to my fathers face.
The reason why felt so buoyant was
not merely the light heartedness of re-
pentance. My romantic spirit had con-
ceived scheme for convincing my father
that he had unjustly sneered at Mr..
Dale's business capacity. Twas resolved
to consult him as to my investments, and
| felt sure that the profits accruing from
his sage advice would plead his cause
more eloquently than any words of mine.
Let but my father perceive my admirers
sterling qualities, and | knew that he
would be eager to make amends for his
injustice by pushing him forward in busi-
ness. The idea took strong possession OF
me, for ever since hearing Aunt Helen
speak of Mr.. Dale's lack of means had
been eager at heart to assist him. |
would gladly have asked him to put my
money into some commercial venture,
and have insisted upon his keeping por-
ton of the gains but to that felt he
would never consent.
And yet did not believe that was in
love with Roger Dale. The thought
never occurred to me. was ready to
have our relations continue indefinitely
as they were. But ! was not able to re-
gard the hostility of my family without
impotence thatadded suiceof TDartVr-