San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-02-20
CHAPTER IX.

1
imagined when lingering in happy dalliance
in the f1owpr-crowned field below, and yet
NOT really late for sultry summer evening.
Rut the Misses Blake are fearful of colds,
and expect all the household to be in at
stated hours: and the Misses BereSfOrd are
| fearful of seedlings, carrying, as they do,
guilty hearts within their bOsOms.
The lamps are lighting in the drawing
room as they enter, though the windows are
omen. The Misses Blake both start and
| look up as they come in, and show general
| symptoms of relief which is not reciprOcated
| by the culprits. Mrs. Mitchell, the nurse,
who has followed almost on their heels,
stands in the doorway, with bayOnets fixed,
| so to speak, seeing there is every chance OF
an engagement. 1t may be as well to re-
| mark here that Mitchell has not got on"
with the Misses Blake, having rooted opln-
ions of her own not to be lightly laid aside.
The Misses Blake's opinions have also
home in very deep soil, so that the give
and take' principle is not in force between
| them and the foreign nurse, as they term
Jane Mitchell, though she was bred and
born on DevOnshire soil.
Just now Mrs. Mitchell is plainly on the
| defensive, and eyes her baby-as she still
| calls Kit (having nuTsed her)-with all the
| air of one prepared to rush in and rescue
her by bodily force, should the worst come
| to the worst.
"My dear Monica, what late hour to be
| abrOadr' says Miss Priscilla, reprOachfully.
| THE dew falling, too, which is most I'M
wholesome. For you, Kit, mere child it
is really destruction. Nurse, as you are
| there" regarding the bOny Mitchell with
distruSt and disfavor, Il think it as well to
let you know do not think this is proper
! time for Miss Katherine to be in the open
air. 1t is far too late"
1T isn'tlate, miss. 1t is only nine O'Clock"
mine o'clock! What is the woman think
| ing about? Nine! why, that means night"
mot at this time of the year, miss"
''At any time of year. With all the ex-
perience you sag you have had, wonder
you do not consider it most injurious hour
| for child of Miss Katherine'S age to be out
| of DOORS"
II don't hold with making child puny,
| miss. COddling up, and that sort, only leads
| to cOnsumptiOns and aSsmas, in my hum
opingiOn."
II must request that for the future you
will show Difference to our opinion, nurse !;
| which is directly opposed to yours" says
Miss Priscilla, Strengthening herself.
II suppose | can manage my own young
! lady, miss" says Mitchell, undamted, and
| now, indeed, thoroughly braced for conflict.
II have grave doubts about that, Mitchell,
| and at least you should not answer me in
| this wise"
| IF brought my young lady safely all the
way from Jerusalem, miss, suppose l can
take care of her ERE"
| Her carp questions Miss Priscilla, not
| meaning to be rude at all.
| ''She means here" says Miss Penelope, in
| a stage whisper.
''Oh!' says Miss Priscilla, rather shocked
| at her mistake, which has been accepted by
Mitchell as deliberate insult. katherine,
go upstairs with Mitchell, and change your
shoes and stockings; they must be damp
Il don't consider Mitchell at all a nice
person." says Miss Priscilla, when the door
has closed upon that veteran; but still |
hope | did not offend her with that last
thOughtlesS slip of mine. But really, over
here, in Ireland we are not accustomed to
the extraordinary language in which Mitch
ell INDUCES at times. She seems to me to
be saving up her aspirates fora Hypothetical
deaTh of that article in the future"
Miss Priscilla is so pleased with this long
word that she quite RECEIVERS her temper.
At this moment the door is opened, and
Timothy enters, bearing not only an air OF
mystery with him, but a large envelope.
"Why, what is this at this time of night?
says Miss Priscilla, who is plainly under the
impression that once the lamps are lighted
it is yerging ON midnight. She takes the Ell
velOpe from Timothy and gazes at the huge
regimentaI crest upon it with 4 judicial ex
preston.
"A sojer brought it. miss. Yes, indeed
ma'am A-hOssback he come ali the way
from the Barracks at ClOnbree."
Redc0atS at ROSsmOyne are novelty, anC
are regarded by the peaSantry with mixed
feelings Of admiration and contempt.
think the contempt is stronger with TimOth!
thGS the admiration.
From the Barracks?' says Miss Priscilla,
slowly, turning and twisting the letter be-
tween her fingers, while MOnica's heart
beats rapidly. 1t is, it must be the invita-
| ton; and what will be the result of it?
Yes, indeed, miss. | asked him what
brought him at this hour, ma'am; but he
took me mighty short wild his answer, so
| give up me questions"
| Never having been able for fifty years t
make up his mind whether his mistresSeE
should be addressed as maidens or matrOnS
timothy has compromised matters by put
ting miss" and ''ma'a into every
sentence he dedicates to them.
S'Ah, an invitation from Captain COhbett
| Tor Friday INSTRUMENTATION to seven
um-um. All of us invited, even Kit" say;
Miss Priscilla, in a decidedly lively tone.
ME! am asked?' cries Kit, eXcitedly
Yes, indeed, you are specially mention
ed. Very nice and attentive, | must say
of those young men, particularly when we
have not shown them any kindness as net
j thought that Mr.. Ryde very superior
young fellow, with none of the discourteOu
antipathy to age that disfigures the manner
of the youth of the present day. Penelope
| my dear. perhaps YOU had better indite tn