San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-03-20

S~cLiChI tHdO hdluiy Ono u"J ou' VI
three was tit to go duclcing in, and the
roads-in the few places where any ex-
isted - were execrable. Only a fool
would think of exploring the New Jer-
scy coast at such season when he had
the alternative of settling down by 4
warm freside and making love to Janet
King.
With some initial difficulty he per-
suaded her father TO accept him as a
boarder, despite Mr. Kings protests that
he knew nothing about keeping hotel
and did not wish to.
But it is the eminently correct thing
that you should" argued Selden Range
ly.. Il always live in hotel, and would
have to pay board somewhere else if not
here. want to stop here few weeks
anyway, and could not think of doing so
at your expense. would not be able to
rid myself of the idea that l was tres
passing on your hospitality. So insist
upon being allowed to pay you at the
same rate would pay at my hotel in
New York"
So he had his way, and the sum thus
fixed by himself was SO liberal that it
fairly took away the beach mans breath.
Large as it was, David King accepted it
at first with reluctance, but very soon
began to find it quite pleasant to receive
weekly the bright gold pieces that his
guest drew from an evidently abundant
stock in a heavy leathern money belt.
Gold was at 10 time so abundant on
Barnegat beach as to be viewed with in
difference even by the Kings, who were
"well to do folks there. But, incred-
ible rs the fact was, the stranger did not
seem to care forit. They concluded that
eshe must have slathers of money" and
81 estimation of that sort at least does
not generally tend to render its subject
unpopular.
Janet was fascinated by the handsome
stranger himself, quite Independently of
his wealth. He was really the first edu-
Gated, gentlemanly man of the world she
had ever met, and, by contrast with the
young men she had known, seemed to
her quite a superior sort Of being. The
wonders of the big, active world far
outside the stagnant pool of Barnegat
beach life, concerning which she had
only vaguely dreamed, his conversation
brought wildly before her, and she list
ened to him as if in an enchanted dream.
Sometimes, in the solitude of her little
room, the thought rushed upon and over
whelmed her that she knew so little and
he so much that he must despise her for
her ignorance, and she cried herself to
sleep. So unsophisticated was she that
she did rot yet know beauty to be more
than wisdom or strength or even wealth.
An old guitar hung upon the sitting
room wall. twas relic of some wreck
and simply decorative, for nobody upon
the beach could even tune it. But Sell
den Rangely's skillful fingers evoked
from it the most enhancing melodies
and witching chords that, blending with
his strong vet mellow voice, thrilled her
strangely when he sang of love. Love!
Not until now had any one ever sung or
said aught about love to her. But he
did both. He told her that he loved her
with all his soul, and vowed to do so for
earth" seemed to open before her. No
question Of his sincerity disturbed her
happiness, for her love for him was as
perfect as that which he profeSsed.
Her parents looked obviously upon
the fine gentleman's attentions to their
daughter, but he had captivated the
brothers, and they with Janet made a
majority in the family council, so there
was hardly shadow Of opposition on
the part of the old folks to the mar
rage Of Selden ana Janet, which took
place in tho month of February.
About the middle Of April Selden
Rangely announced that it would be
necessary for him TO go to New York
on business, bat his trip would be brief,
His programme had been fully dis
cussed with his wife. He would draw
some money from the bank, buy some
things he deemed his wife should have,
replenish his wardrobe, order an agent
10 buy and furnish a house. and within
a Fortnight he WoUli return with the
great surprise for Janet's father.
David Kings cherished dream Of the
unattainablc, as he frankly admitted it,
was the ownership OF big first class
schooner, on which he should be the
master and his two sons the mates. That
dream Janet's husband vowed to her
shoald be realized. Nothing would be
easier for him. Had be not more than
sufficient money for it lying idle in the
bank for lack Of opportunity for profit
able investment? He would simply draw
out the necessary sum, bring it home,
and put it III the old mans hands as
great surprise.