San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-11-14

imagined.
Yet the house was not mean. The
"wilow woman who owned it had GER
tain refinement. Instead of the usual ex-
tremely unlacCd and unkempt "slavey,"
she had an elderly servant of neat and i'm
posing aspect, who had been with her for
years, and who was rather terror to Nine.
Debrisay.
The ledger who occupied the upper floor
was steady elderly city clerk, of remark
able punctuality and precision. Still the
tone of the hOmely dwelling was new to
Mona, who had been accustomed to the
aristocratic, if narrow, nicely of her grand
mothers house, or the distinction of her
relatives establishments.
Fatigue made her sleep so profoundly
that 1t took some moments of waking con-
seriousness before she recognized where she
was. The sound of someone moving re-
minded her that she was sharing Nine.
Debrisay's room, and presently that lady
came out fully dressed from behind large
Japanese screen, which converted one cor
ner into a dressing-cloSet.
And how did you sleep, dear?"
ooh, well; too wellr' exclaimed Mona.
wei, stay WUtEc NOl are. L IL pllllS
you cup of coffee and bit of toast, for
have long, busy day before me-"
She hurried away, and soon returned
with fragrant cup of cafe az lGtt and a
slice of buttered toast.
"Tm off now, make yourself comfortable
dear; there are some books in the next
room; with splendid stories in them, they
make your hair stand on end, and forget
the time. Goodbye, dear"
Mona dressed slowly, and went into the
sittingroOm. 1t was a stormy, wet day.
The fire had been hastily loaded with coal,
and had succumbed to the load. The hand
bell evoked tall, Manufactured woman,
with thick, grizzled hair, a spotless cap,
and dark print dress.
The fires gone out?" she repeated, in a
high-pitched tone. 81 dare say madame
thinks Goals III light of themselves; she
just pitches them on, whether there is a
spark alive or not. I'll fetch few sticks
miss"
The fire burning, the hearth swept, and
a few tidying touches bestowed on the
room, made a vast improvement.
Mona threw herself into an arm chair,
and tried to think what was best to do.
The previous evening she had posted few
lines to the Chase, announcing her safe
arrival; she might therefore postpone her
next letter for twenty-four hours.
She could hardly expect an answer from
Waring till the next day. He was staying
not very far away-with the gentleman
who had been his guardian, and for whom
he had great regard.
She strove to swallow morsel or two of
the dinner set before her; she tried to
gather the sense Of an agoniZing tale and
interest herself in the tremendous perse-
cutions of the heroine. All in vain. Time,
however, was rolling on; she might soon
expect Nine Debrisay. Four o'clock struck
when she had gone into the bedroom to
seek for some piece of fancy work, when
the sound of the front door-bell, followed
by a step in the next room, made her hope
that her kind hostess had returned. Going
quickly in to greet her, she beheld Jane,
the servant, in the act of lighting the gas,
while by the window, looking paler-stern-
er than she thought he could, stood Leslie
Waring
Good morning." he said, stiffly, 81
thought would find you in"
This while Jane pulled down the blind
and retired Then he made step forward
to where Mona stood, mOtionless-her
trembling hands locked together, her eyes
wide-opened, gazing at him.
do you seriously mean what you have
written here?" he asked, in a thick, I'M
steady voice, as he drew forth and opened
her letter.
Yes" she said; 81 do"
"Then have right to ask the reason
of this sudden change. What have done
to deserve it,?
"You have deserved nothing but good
and gratitude from me-" faltered Mona,
sinking into chair, as she felt her limbs
unable to support her.
''Then why do you desert me?"
81 told you in my letter-the whole truth.
7 cannot love you as a wife ought to love-"
I'VE agreed to get over that difficulty.
/ hoped to win your affection If you were
quite free from any other attachment"
"And ] am, Mr.. Waring! There is not a
man in existence whom would accept at
this moment. But'-she was growing
calmer under the desperate necessity Of
explanation-''I also told you-what, in
deed, / blushed to write-that my grand.
mothers wish, her overpowering need, in
duced me to consent to what, otherwise, ]
should not have accepted"
81 understand. Then, Mona, you have
treated me very badly. You took me when
1 was necessary to you; you throw me aside
when you think you can do without mel
And 1 love you sol 1 Thought was going |
straight into heaven when you promised |
to be my wifel had faith in your promise |
to try and love me; and, after all, you were |
only sacrificing yourself to maintain your |
grandmOther-a sacrifice you gladly escape |
as soon as you cant You have brokenyour |
contractr'
You are justly angry. cannot defend |