San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-06-02

He laughed with diSdainful triumph
in his laughter.
"Oh, as far as that goes there is no
danger! She dares not play me false"
''Dares not! That is rather strong
expression, my friendr' And Istroked
my beard and looked at him steadily. He
himself seemed to think he had spoken
too openly and hastily-for he redeemed
as he said with little embarrassment:
"Well, did not mean that exactly
of course she is perfectly tree to do as
she likes-but she cannot, | think, re-
fuse me after showing me so much en-
enlargement"
waved my hand with an airy gesture
of amiCable agreement.
Certainly not" | said, "unless she be
an arrant cOquette and therefore a
worthless woman; and you, who know
so well her intrinsic goodness and purity,
have no reason to fear. But, if not love
or money, what is it that troubles you?
1t must be serious, to judge from your
face"
He played absently with ring had
given him, turning it round and round
upon his finger many times before reply
ing.
Ntll, Gllb ldCO lO odAA oV loSet
am compelled to go away-to leave Ma
pies for time"
My heart gave an eXpectant throb of
satisfaction. Going away!-leaving Ma
pleS!-turning away from the field OF
battle and allowing me to gain the vic
tory! Fortune surely favoured me. But
/ answered with feigned concern.
Going away! Surely you cannot
mean it. Why?-what for? and where?
AN uncle of mine is dying in Rome"
he answered GROSSLY. "He has made me
his heir, and am bound for the sake of
deCency TO attend his last moments.
Rather protracted last moments they
threaten to be too, but the lawyers say |
had better be present, as the old man
NAV take it into his head to diSinherit
me at the final gasp. Isuppose l shall
not be absent long-a fortnight at most
and in the MEANWHILE
Here he hesitated and looked at me
anXiously.
Continue, caro- mic, continue" l said
with some impotence. eff l can do
anything in your absence, you have only
to command me"
He rose from his chair, and approach
ing the window where | sat in half
reclining position, he drew small chair
opposite mine, and sitting down, laid one
hand confidingly on my wrist
"You can do much!' he replied earn
estly: 'and | feel that / can thoroughly
depend upon you. Watch over her! She
will have no other protector, and she is
so beautiful and careless! You can
guard her-your age, your rank and po-
Sition, the fact of your being an old
friend of the family-all these things
warrant your censorship and vigilance
over her, and you can prevent any other
man from intruding himself upon her
notice"
''If he does" exclaimed, starting up
from my seat with mock tragic air, 81
will not rest till his body serves my
sword as a sheath"
And l laughed loudly, clapping him or
the shoulder as | spoke. The words
were the very same he had
himself uttered when l had wit
messed his interview with my wife in
the avenue. He seemed to find some
thing familiar in the phrase, for he
looked confused and puzzled. Seeing
this, FASTENED to turn the current of
his reflections. Stopping abruptly in
my myth, l assumed a serious gravity of
demeanour and said,
NAY, nay! see the subject is too
sacred to be TESTED with-pardon my
levity! l assure you, my good Ferrari, l
will watch over the lady with the jealous
scrutiny of brother-an elderly brother
too, and therefore one more likely to be
a model of propriety. Though frankly
admit it is task am not specially fit
ted for, and one that is rather distaste-
full to me, still, | would do much to
please you, and enable you to leave Ma
Piles with an easy mind. / promise you"
here | took his hand and shook IL
warmly-''that | will be worthy OF
your trust and true to it, with
exactly the same fine loyalty
and fidelity you yourself so
nobly showed to your dead friend Fabio!
History cannot furnish me with better
example!"
He started as if he had been stung,
and every drop of blood receded from his
face, leaving it almost liyid. He turned
his eyes in kind of wondering doubt
upon me, but counterfeited an air OF
such good faith, and frankness, that he
checked some hasty utterance that rose
to his lips, and mastering himself by a
strong effort said briefly,
81 thank you! l know l can rely
upon your honour"
"You can!' I answered decisively-
''as positively as you rely upon your
ownI" Again he WINGED, as though
whipped smartly by an invisible lash.
Releasing his hand asked in a tone Of
affected regret,
"And when must you leave us,
carino?"
'Most unhappily, at once" he an
swered. Il start by the early train to-
morrow morning."