San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-11-28

Kirktoun to meet Major and Mrs. Men
teith-Finistoun' sister, you know-so ]
offered myself and my dog-cart to convey
you to the Lodge. hope You will forgive
the change"
ooh! have nothing TO forgive" she
said, smiling "If You do not mind taking
me and my dress basket, ! am ready to
start"
well said" cried Lisle, exuItingly.
"As it is fine clear afternoon, and we
have plenty Of time, will take you round
by Balmuir: the views are splendid nearly
all the way"
Very well, " said Mona, who had now
recovered herself, and in a few minutes
she was perched beside her charioteer, her
light dress basket hoisted up and confided
to the care of the groom-who sat behind
and they were off.
81 hope there are not many very steep
hills" she said, after few moments sill
ence; II am not too courageous"
mo, the road is safe and easy! / know
the country; Twas here for a whole season
with Finistoun few years ago, the au-
tumn before you were presented That is
a sort of epoch to me-"
much more so to mep' she returned,
laughing. 81 we'll remember the heart
sinking with which | looked forward to
making my courtesy under the eye of roy
atty. Do you know | sometimes think all
that must have been dreamp'
81 fear the waking cannot have been
very pleasant" said Isle, bending his
eyes upon her.
81 have nothing to complain of. There
is not so much difference between one style
of life and another, as a man like you
would think"
"a man like me?' said Lisle. what
am like?"
Like your fellows, | suppose. Life to
you and to your peers, without horses and
dogs, shooting and hunting, clubs, races,
and, for the more ambitious, politics. would
be something intOlerable. Now, regular
occupation, by which you earn your bread,
and slowly but surely improve your posi-
ton, answers all the purposes of those
costly amusements; but will not bore you
by pressing"
Suppose enjoy listening to the tones
OF your most sweet voice, will you not in
dulge me by little more"
"Oh, have lost the thread of my dis
course. / only want to say that now time
has accustomed me to the loss of poor,
dear grannie, think am very happy"
But there is one piece of your life about
which am profoundly interested, and
would like to inquire into, If you would
permit me-"
YES, ! do not mind telling you anything
of that kind"
There was period after your grand
mothers death, when you had left the
Everards', and had not yet disinterred
4 . hot
timer"
"A dear good soul took me INA lady
who had been my music mistress, and she
showed me how to earn my living under
her guidance. attained to the proud en-
inence of earning about seven pounds a
month. 1t was very nice, | assure you, to
feel the money was my own"
Great heavensw calculated Lisle. And
you preferred this to marrying man of
wealth.
You must know how delicious the sense
of independence is. Do you think a woman
cannot feel it tOO?"
and does love count for nothing.
Mona laughed.
Yes, suppose with the real upper class
of human beings, it counts for good deal.
1t is part of the sum, however | have not
yet worked ont. Tell me something of
your Indian life. You see Ireciprocate the
interest you take i'll my history"
81 do not think you reciprocate at ALL"
returned Lisle, with a wistful look, which
she met steadily, slightly hooking smile
in her own. H
Lse's brow contracted; but he had a
good deal of tact and self control, and he
Immediately started light amusing sketch
of his life, 50 far as society, travelling and
bunting went. and time flew pleasantly.
She listened with evident interest TO all
he said. often questioning him, and so they
drew near the end of their jOurney-Of the
tete-d-tctC which I4isle had schemed to Sc
cure, and he had not moved her pleasant,
friendly ease by one instant of hesitation
or confusion. His most unmistakable in
situations, his most killing glances, only
produced half-amused, half-kindly smiles.
iisle was furious, mortified, and more
in love than he ever was since his bOyish
days. Should he have to tell her in so
many words that be adOred her, and sought
her for his wife, in order to extract any
recognition from her? If she were cold,
if she shrunk from him, or repelled him,
he could understand it, and he would know
how to act; but this frank, charming kind
ness, this readiness to be with him! Itwas
an invisible, impossible fence which he
did not seem capable of breaking down.
"If could but ascertain whether I have
a rival or no, he thought, 81 should know
what to do. 1 suspect she is playing
part What is her object? To be Lady
Lisle' That would be object enough to
most women; but, though l have long
ceased to believe in angels, Mona is some
thing different, or she never would have
chosen poverty in preference to Warning.
Well, I'll try what cool friendship will
do, with a dash of flirting in other direc-