San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-09-14

amount of public condemnation on *.
count of his moonshine business, and
she felt with pride the immediate value
of his present high course. In some in
definite way she had u sense of respon
sibility for his actions, as if he had been
her brother or other near kinsman. She
was not aware that this feeling was an
outgrowth of that clannishness which
always exists among mountain folk.
Il am proud of your success" she said
to him one day, as they sat together in
one of the spacious Roosevelt parlors.
Il do hope all your great plans will
prove practicable"
His dark face flushed little as he
answered:
1T Is SO kind of you. Miss Chenier, to
wish that. If can always count on such
feeling from you | shall succeed in
spite OF all opposition"
She smiled, and not catching the COW
ert or repressed sentiment of his last SEN
tence, said:
You can do that. The business you
are now in has the approval of every
U"'y, and
oh. well. the other business was in
famous, but didn't realize it till it was
all over" he quickly interrupted. You
know the war had demoralized us up
there in the mountains"
I'VE were shut out from a knowledge
of what was doing in the world" she
said. Il did not dream of what strong
current human life can be till went up
into the north"
The current might be just as strong
here in the south if we would make it So
y ATS the use of all this retrospection
and broo;ling and despair? Our soil is
inst as good as ever it was; we have our
health, our daylight, our nighttime.
Is it the right sort Of people we lack?'
The rich power of his voice thrilled
her as be spoke. and ne lifted his head
proudly, as if con Scious of his strength.
In very tender tone he added
Miss Chenier, Lam not going to be a
drone AMI a crumbl2r Do you recollect
the time | met You up in the dark little
dell by the spring above the mill?"
Yes, she simply said.
He reflected moment. His face was
that of one who ponders dear and
doubtful proposition. Something like a
pale heat gathered under the skin of his
dark checks. He made slow, sound
less, hesitating movement with his lips,
as if about to utter some precious and
weighty sentence: but he turned and
looked through the window and did not
speak
You were in an evil mood that day
she presently added.
Yes, bat had provocation," he quick
~ replied. Those Yankees were track
ing me as Il hunter tracks wild beast
(Snce the war all northerners are called
Yankees in the south.)
We'll. they did not hurt you, at least.
she said, smiling archly.
No. we are Quits-they and |: our
scores are even" He smiled also, and
picking up her banjo. which CHANGED to
be near him. began idly drumming on
its strings After moment he passed
it to her.
Play for me" he said; lit will recall
the pastoral sweetness of the pocket. 1t
will drive away those unwelcome recol.
!ections. Sing the little French song
your father used to love-"
About flying away
Yes"
She Immediately struck the prelimi-
nary notes, and then throwing back her
head, as a bird does, began singing.
Che i,E 70 20 +hn
preston, and there was a charming dis
cord between the light, lingering Ca
dence of the French measure and the
sudden blunt notes of the banjo Her
attitude was careless and graceful, the
merest trace of infantile abandon in it.
suiting perfectly the spirit of the song.
Ellis stole glance at her face, soft,
dreamy light gathering in his eyes. Her
voice was like call to him from high
er and purer atmosphere, and he felt as
if she had really wandered away, in her
white robe of innocence. far beyond his
reach.
You have changed great deal" he
suddenly said, interrupting.
'Oh, have l?' she exclaimed, with
little flicker of self consciousness in her
face. DO not sing so well as used
to-"
"You sing better, | did not mean that.
| had reference to your-your looks"
ITS my clothes" she said, casting a
quick, satisfied glance over her simple.
but beautiful apparel.
Not altogether-not at all" he re-
SpoDded. You have learned gre,,'
deal, and you have grown more-more
beautiful.
"Have I?' she exclaimed, her eyes re-
covering their old sincerity. and her