San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-07-10
Ten Minutes to TW6IVG.
copyright by American. Press Asssociatinn-l
By N. G. MOLELLAND.

Anne cottage, newly finished. and us
fresh and clean as rain washed grass.
The little yard had been leveled and
trlrfed, and was incIoSel by an iron rail-
ing and two small cottOnwOods had
been planted near the little porch. Royal
opened the gate aud entered with the
air of d proprietor. 1t was his own, the
nest he had built for his Virginia mock
ing bird, and to which he hoped to
proudly bring her when all things should
be Strengthened out between them.
The erection and furnishing of the
little home had filled the months for
him and helped him over the disappoint-
mer- 0" not going east in the spring, as
he had intended. The settlement Of the
estate had been perforce postponed,
owing to the serious illness of the exec
utor, which incapacitatel him for bust
ness. He would not have allowed that
to interfere with his plans, however. but
Mrs. Hart had written advising him to
delay his coming until she should give
the word, for Phyllis would prefer that
he should not join her until she should
be permanently released from dark
ened room and quite herself again.
1t had been worded very delicately,
and the letter had been a monument to
Mrs. Harris tact and diplomacy; but to
Royal it had seemed singular and had
hurt him not little. His wife did not
want him, that was evident, and he had
obeyed, feeling at a disadvantage, but
too proud to thrust himself Upon her.
He had in a measure lost sight of John
Royals part in the affair, and had come
to regard it as pertaining only to Phyllis
and himself.
He took a key from his pocket, entered
the house, and turned on the lights,
passing from room to room. 1t was
tastefully furnished, for his sister had
helped him, jesting slyly the while about
his obvious intention. He had told her
of his love for woIlan in the east, and
she, knowing little, imagined much, and
considered the whole affair as settled.
She entered into the house plans with
enthusiasm, and impaired to her huS-
band, in the sacredness of conjugal con-
fidence and sworn secrecy, that she be-
ieved, she truly did, that Hart would
be married within the year.
One little room, opening out from the
chamber and intended for his wife's spe-
cial sanctum, Royal had fitted up him
self, remembering faithfully all the
things he had ever heard Phyllis say she
liked, and arranging them for her with
his own hands. He went straight to this
room now, and for many moments stood
and looked about, trying to imagine the
change it would make when she should
be sitting il the low chair by the open
fireplace, which he had put in to remind
her of Virginia, or resting on the sofa,
which he was sure must stand just at
the angle to please her, with the light of
the window shaded from her eyes and a
tiny table near for books or work bas-
ket. He moved about gently, like man
in sacred place, and thought loving,
reverent, loyal thoughts, as became a
true man. He would not sit down nor
take liberties with the place-althougb
she had never entered it. In his mind it
was her sanctuary. with which he had
nothing to do until she herself should
make him welcome.
He went out presently, shutting the
door gently, as though afraid of disturb
ing some one. Then he turned off the
lights, locked the door, said a word to
the Waterman of the square, who was
outside awaiting developments, and be-
took himself home to his sisters house.
As he opened the door his ears were
assailed with the sound of lamentation.
aud he discovered his youngest niece
prone on her face on the hall floor. He
picked her up and comforted her. The
baby put her arms around his neck and
nestled her wet cheek against his. Az
she did so a letter slipped from her apron
and fell at His feet.
Whats this, Daisy" he questioned,
STOPPING for the letter and seeking to
divert her attention.
200 lefty" sobbed the little one;
baby fess it to zoo, and her fallded
down.
Poor baby! There, there, don't cry
any more. turning the letter to look at
the address. and slipping it in his pocket.
JdCh anu JllI never JHOuSuI VI SiCu d
thing as crying when they tumbled
down and cracked their crowns. And
Jill was little tot no bigger than you,'
which was applicable, but not according
to the text. Come into the ONCE and
let uncle patch You up and find you
something
'Tandy?"-with visibly frightening
atmosphere.
Royal laughed, and bore her off on his
shoulder to his own particular den.
Later he examined his letter. There
were many closely written pages from