San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-11-18


upl was better ON the ground-foor in
yon house"
"Oh, hope you won't regret the changer
said Nine Debrisay, politely. You will
not want to go up or down stairs-much;
and you see the folding doors to your
chdnlbre a c0uchcr make it nice and airy"
'"ro my whatf" asked Uncle Sandy. ~
dinna understand foreign languages"
"Your bedroom. You see, my dear sir, !
l am half French, and the language have !
been so long accustomed to slips out now
and then"
Uncle Sandy gave an inarticulate grunt |
in reply to this explanation.
"Would you like any refreshment"
asked Nine. Debrlsay.
"Weel, might take biscuit and glass
of apollonaris water"
water alone, my dear sir' viii you
not put something in to qualify it,"
81 am temperance man, you see; but
the doctors say | ought to take a drap
whisky for my stomach's sake"
81 am so sorryi but we have not such a
thing in the housed I will send Jane for
some"
London whiskyr' cried Uncle Sandy,
very audibly: adding, with pious earnest
ness, "God forbidr' Then rising, he clutch
ed Mona's arm with one hand and his
stick with the other. 81 have drappie in
my portmantle. and I'll inst get it,"
"Can get it for you, unclef"
"Nawp' very decidedly. 81 never give
my keys to anyoneW
With many groans he bent his knees,
leaning heavily on Mona-for the port
manteau had been placed on the fiOor-and
managed to unlock it, Mona had stepped
back as soon as he let her go, lest he should
think her inquisitive; but the heavy lid
was too much for him.
"Why don't ye give me han'f" he asked
ENORMOUSLY.
Mona came to his assistance, and the eX-
: ceedingly mixed contents of the portman-
, teau were displayed to view.
Uncle Sandy pitched out trousers and
waistcoats and socks recklessly till he
reached the layer where the whisky-bottle
was embedded; he handed it to his niece,
and, having thrust his garments in again,
locked the receptacle; and, rising with the
help of Madame and Mona. tumbled into
his chair again, with many EXPLANATIONS
of pain. The desired refreshment was
procured. and then Mona proposed that he
dinner.
"Ayl" said Uncle Sandy, "thatn doflne.
am Just awful weary. Are We going to
give me bite the day, as there is nothing
preparit'
"Certainlyw said Mona.
at was our intention to beg the pleasure
of your company" said Nine. Debrisay.
"Then I'll come. It's pity l have to
gang downstairs; but it Gamma be helpitT'
From the date of Uncle Sandy's settle
ment the partners felt that the freedom OK
their holiday was over. He unhesitatngly
claimed constant help and attention.
Moreover, he caviled at the price paid for
everything they bought; and many were
the commissions he gave both.
/ Still Nine. Debrisay chung to the idea
| that he was millionaire, though she care
| fully kept her impression to herself .
With all his peculiarities, there was
certain originality in Uncle Sandy which
! attracted Mona. Although his ideas OF
expenditure were narrow, he was rigid in
paving whatever he believed he ought to
paw. Nor was he conscious of eXacting
more than he gave. Still, his recognition
of the rights OF others was by no means so
clear as his perception OF his own. But
what attracted his niece most was his
| strong liking for herself
! The fact of her having red hair. as he
considered il, seemed to be one of Mona's
strongest claims upon his affections. 1t
appeared to be kind of proof positive that
she belonged to him.
Naturally the holiday enjoyments OF the
two friends were considerably curtailed by
the presence of Uncle Sandy. Still they
contrived to spend two or three TRANQUILITY
pleasant days at Hampton Court, Rich
mond, and other suburban places of re-
sort, though Uncle Sandy grumbled good
deal at being left alone.
The six weeks of vacation passed swiftly
withal.
The autumn was exceptionally fine after
a wet summer, and pupils prolonged their
absence from town. October was half
I over, and Nine. Debrisay was again in
harness. Mona, too, had resumed work,
and on the first evening of her return, she
found her uncle sitting over the fire, his
feet on a hassock placed inside the fender.
Come your ways" he cried. 1.-The sight
of you is good for sair cen nowadaysi
Have We had your bite? Ayf Then We'll
have good spell O. the papers before bed
time. But, first, there's bit note want
to write to a laddie have neglected in
way-my sisters son, Kenneth Macalister.
He is in an Office in the city-a big place
dom well, l believe"
To be CUn tinued,