San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-08-13
A Romantic Young Lady
BY GEORGE GRANT.

identified might do much to make the
struggle more easy and success speedier.
Was likely ever to meet with any one
more congenial? What better use could
| make of my life?
These thoughts came to me not only
then, but afterward, when Mr.. Spence
had gone and was left alone to make up
my mind. had told him that he must
give me time; it was impossible for me
to decide at the moment. What he had
| said was so bewildering, and the condi-
| tion of any possible marriage between us
| of so serious a character that was at a
| loss for an answer, but | warned him
not to feel too much encouragement be-
cause | did not give him an immediate
reply; the chances were more than like
| ly that upon reflection should feel what
he asked to- be impossible. II respect
you thoroughly, Mr.. Spence, and ! am
much interested in your work, but do
| not think | should ever love you as you
| would wish feel quite sure of it, but
if you are disposed to let me think it
over instead of giving you at once an
unfavorable reply, am willing to do
so"
1t was my fathers opinion on the sub
| ject that most feared to face could
not doubt what his verdict would be-
1t was the ambition of his later life to
see me use well the fortune he had &C
cumulated BY the marriage Twas con-
| templating | should disappoint these eX-
pectations. for could not suppose he
would regard as a good use of the
money a disclaimer of the fortune he
wished to. leave me. 1t was really be-
tween him and Mr.. Spence that must
decide
This was what presented itself to me
| clearly, as my father and sat together
in the library after my aunts had gone.
1t was past midnight, and yet neither of
us had thought apparently of going to
bed He was smoking, and like myself
busy with his own reflections. 1t
seemed to me that he looked tired and
| worn. had observed it several times
| of late Was | certain that | was right
| in the choice | was tempted to make?
| But if did not marry Mr.. Spence, what
|
my father wish me to do with his
| money?
As though he understood my silent
question. he turned to me suddenly and
| said.
LAS you may remember, Virginia,
| told you-it must be more than two
years ago now-that | was very rich
man. The same is true today; though,
| owing to the severe depression from
| which all classes of property have suf
fered during that period. am no longer
as wealthy as was Indeed, it has been
| only by unhagging attention and care
| that have been able to avoid very seri-
Gus losses. But let that pass. Confidence
is restored and the worst is over. My
| affairs are in shape now where further
depreciation is well nigh impossible, and
you will have all the money that you
can possibly need when ! am gone.
He paused moment, and FASTENED
to express my concern that he had been
worried.
That is all done with now, hope |
| only mention it in order that you SHOULD
| know what you have to expect-and be-
cause | have been making up my ac-
counts for the first of the year No one
can tell what another year may bring
forth am not so strong as | was,
| think"
He spoke without emotion; but there
was something in his tone that prompted
me to go to him, and kneeling by his
| side to take his hand in mine.
Are you not well. father"
oh, yes. But when man has worked
hard all his days and gets to be sixty-five
years old the machine does not run so
smoothly as it used That is all. Some
day it will stop all of a sudden, just as
it did in my fathers case. He was worn
out when he died, and that is what
shall be. In this country most of us
have only time to get together our
millions and die" He spoke with
smile and gently stroked my hair.
But we expect our children to make
| good use of the leisure we have won for
them. You begin where leave off,
Virginia. | had hoped to be able to
see a great deal of you during the last
few years, but just at the moment when
| was about to lay aside the harness
came the period of depression. 1t is very
difficult in this country for parents to
know their children intimately. Neither
party has time for the operation. You
have your interests as well as |, and,
what is more, scarcely know what they
are. am not complaining; am mere
ly stating facts. If my life is spared
few years longer we will try to change
all that. Before | die should like to
see you happily married to some one
-,-hn 10 r.nrthr of VOL, Nnthirn u nunr