San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-02-18

her very attitude, is martial. She Is plainly
| in battfe-array. Pausing before Miss Pris-
| ella, she directs her first fire upon her.
Am ] not asked at alp" she says, in a
terrible tone, that contrasts painfully with
| the Ominous silence she has maintained ever
since the invitation was brought by Mrs.
| OConnOr's groom.
my dear child, you must remember you
| are only fourteen" says Miss Priscilla, who
| is sincerely sorry the child has not been in
! cluded in the invitation, and, in fact, thinks
| it rather unkind she has been left out.
Il hnOIO that. thank you, says the young
| est Miss Beresford, uncomprOmisingly, fix
ing her aunt with a stony glare. Il know
my birthday as well as most people. And
so. just because | am a child, l am to be
sighted. am !? i call it unfair! call il
beaStly mean, that every one here is to be
invited out to enjoy themselves except mn"
Young people are seldom asked to grown
ND parties.'' SAYS Miss Priscilla, in her most
conciliatory manner When You are as
old as Monica, of course you will 60 every
where In the mean time you are only a
child"
u am old enough to conduct myself prop
erly, at all events says Kit, unmoved Il
srpuOsp at fOufoeIt'--as if this age is an
age replete with wiSdOm-''l am not likely
to do anything rcly extraordinary. or make
myself unpleasant, or be in anybody way"
THAT is not the question, at all; it is
merely one OF age says Miss Priscilla.
rs it? And yet people say great deal
about cuildlO:d being the happieSt time of
ones life" says kit, almost choking with
scornful rage. Il should just like to see
the fellow who first said that. Maybe l
wouldn't enlighten him, and tell lin what
a hyp0crite he was. Whoever said it. it j. a
decided mtruth. and know lwiSh to good
ness was grown mp. because then" with
whitening emphasis, Il should Eut be lr;all-
pied upon and insuIted"
This is dreadful. The two old ladies, uu-
accustomed in their quiet lives to tornadoeS
and volcanoes of any kind, are almost
speechlcSS with fright.
Dearest says Monica, going up to her,
chow cd,I you look at it in such Iight?'
Its all very we'll for YOU says the in
dignant Kit: 'Y0u'rC going you know. Pm
to stay ut home, like that wretched Gin
derella."
Katherine, | am sure you are quite I'M
aware Of the injustice of your remarks.
says Miss Priscilla. at last finding her voice.
She is bent on delivering calm rehuke
but inwardly (as any one can see) she is
quaking. And | have frequently told yon
before that the expression i wish to good
ness which You used just now, is anything
but ladylike. 1t is not nice; il is not proper.
Il don't care what is proper or improper,
when | am treated rs now am" says the
rebel. with flashing eyes and mdamtpd
front
There is really nothing to complain Of
says Miss Priscilla, earnestly. seeingcen>ure
has no effect. Madam OCmnor would
not willingly offend any one; She is a very
KING woman, and-
She is regular old wretch" says the
youngest Miss BercSford, with considerable
spirit.
My dear Kathcrinci"
And it's my belief She done it on DlCT~
pose" with increasing rage.
Katherine. must inSiSt-'
You may insist Us You like, but Ill be
even with her yet, persists Kit, afterwhich,
being quite overcome with wrath, she breaks
down, and bursts INTO violent 1T of weep
ing.
My dear child, G,s't do that, says Miss
Penelope, rising precpitately, and going
over to the weeping fury. Priscilla" in a
trembling tone, Il fear it is selfish. think,
my dear, shall stay at home, too, the day
you all 20 10 Madam O'COnnor'S.'
This kills the storm at once
No. no, indeed, Aunt Penny, you Shan't,
cries Kit, Subdued hut still in tears. She is
overcome with renOrSe, and blameS herself
cruelty i'll that Der ill-temper should have
led to this proposal of SGlf-Sacrifice. To
give in to Kit is the SureSt and quickest
method of gaining your own point She
throws her arms, as she speaks, around Miss
Penel0pe's neck, and nearly strangles that
dear old lady in her remorseful agitation, TO
say nothing Of the deadly havoc she makes
of her frills and laces.
But indeed, my Kitten, it will be no
privation to me to stay at home with you,
and we will be quite happy together, and we
will have our tea out in the orchard" says
Miss Penelope, soothing her with sweet
words; while Miss Priscilla, who is thor
oughly frightened by the sobbing, pats the
refractory child on the back, with view to
allaying al fear Of commissions.
''You shan't stay at home, Aunt Penny
YOU Shan't indeed, cries the inconsistent
Kitten. II like being alone, lOUe it; if you
don't go to that place with the long name,
and enjoy yourself very much, | shall be
miserable all my life, though love you
very, very, rerg much for wishing TO keep
me from being lonely. Tell her mean it.
Monica
Yes, ! am sure she means it, says MOni-
ca, earnestly, whereupon peace is once more
restored to the breasts of the terrified aunts.