San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-04-14
But how to begin or what to say ON

Hhy oubJOtJ DuJ bllC OuO IAla4b u
on the lips, but may not pass them! 1t
was fortunate that Windward was ex-
pected to sustain only such negative
share in discourse, and yet tonight she,
too, now seemed to falter in her gossip,
her fertility of odd expression forsook
her, and there came stretches of embar-
raised silence, till finally in despair
Windward began again on McArdle and
his relation to Louise-the Difference he
paid her, the intimacy and the necessity
each seemed to be to the other.
Miss Willis agreed it was charming,
and then suddenly bursting out in a
nervous laugh that was half a cry, she
exclaimed:
II believe you are jealous,'
81 jealous! repeated Windward,
amazed.
Eyes, jealous!" she cried, with pout
and toss of her head. Il believe you're
in love with Louise Sheffield yourself
and actually jealous of her uncler
"Pshaw, Clarar he began. He had
said it-Clara! And it had come as nat
urally as the breath that bore it. His
heart beat wildly. 1t throbbed against
his ribs like an imprisoned thing that
must be freed or die. To the winds with
reason, prudence, obedience and every
bailiff and fetter of the soul!
"Pshaw, Clara" he repeated huskily.
"You know betterr'
Il know -betterr' she said, nesting
closer on his arm and looking up appeal
ingly in sweet solicitation to have her
doubts resolved.
Yes" whispered Windward, "you
know it is You love; yes, you, fondly"-
"Oh! Mr.. Bassettr' she interrupted
with an alarmed look, withdrawing he1
arm to only timid touch "Oh! please
don'tr'
YES, mean it, Clara; my Clara! Oh
you cannot he caught the vanishing
little hand in hisand pressed it fervently,
Speak, Clara! Let us be happy"
''Oh, Mr. Bassett" she exclaimed
I'm so sorry. l didn't suppose you felt
that way
The solid ground was Keeling under
him. Was it poSsible-had he failed:
Miss Willis, he gasped, "Clara" nc
longer coming spontaneously to his lips,
Il want you to love me; say yes, say
yes"
"Oh, DEAR sighed the little lady.
who would have thought it? Why, it's
dreadful! I like you so much, and sup,
posed we were just good friends. But
don't you know, of course you don't,
though, for it's a great secret"
What isl" groaned Windward.
"Why, Mr.. Bassett, I'm engaged" she
said. Eyes, there! So you see It couldn't
be; but you won't tell, for it's secret
so you can judge what confidence place
| in you, and how much'I think of you"
The stars fell from heaven, the birds
| lost their voices, the perfume faded from
| the flowers, love had failed, and you'll
was over.
Engaged? he echoed family. mo
| didn't know about that"
"Oh, it's q great secret she ratified
on. Eyes, my heart is not my own, but
we have been such good friends, Mr.
| Bassett: yOu are $3.50 splendid! Such
a gentleman! Why, l didn't suppose
you were in earnest that way, you know,
You liked me. Of course: saw that, and
we have had such jolly times together
and getting so well acquainted! Do
Mr. BasSett, let US forget what you have
said, and let us go on being real royal
good friends"
"Oh, certainly, if you wish" said
Windward slowly and coldly. He was
thinking of what McArdle had said OF
| the idiotic ambition of the crushed rose
of love to be the roast beef of friendship.
They two, forsooth, to be friends" af.
ter this. On the morrow he would leave
claim, family. city, co1atry, life itself
if necessary, to be free again; the sky
was scarcely broad enough to cover them
both at once.
You are not angry, Mr.. Bassett?" she
said, with caressing gesture.
"Oh, no." replied Windward, with
averted eyes He spoke calmly and
gently, and she pitied him. Poor fell
low" she unused. hes got it bad!'
They had reached the doorstep. Il
feel this very deeply, Miss Willis" said
the young man, releasing her arm. Il
can't tell you how much. And if L had
any chance I'd fight for it, too, like a
man."
He gave her a last, anxious look, but
she shook her head sadly, looked down
and was silent. 1t was over.
Good night he said. She extended
her hand, and for an instant it lay in
his, idly and cold. Good night" she
replied, and thus they parted.
CHAPTER XX.
CONSEQUENCES.