San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-05-11

in believing that he had flown through
the air ON the Arabian kings wishing
carpet. This sally sufficed to raise the
smile of which we all seemed so greatly
in want, and so we got into the ferry
boat in a comparatively easy frame of
mind
The valet to whom l have already al
luded sat on thwart near the bows in
such position that had full view of
him. A more unconciliating object l
have seldom beheld. His body and arms
We're long, but his legs were short and
bowed outward. His features We're
harsh, forbidding and strongly marked,
but there was an expression of power
stamped upon them which fascinated
my gaze in spite of the ugliness which
would otherwise have made me glad to
look away. 1t was not the power of in
tellect, for, although there was plenty
of saturnine kind of intelligence in the
countenance, it was not to be supposed
that fellow in his position of life would
be remarkable for brains. No; this
power was of another kind. / do not
know how to describe it, but i believe
some people would get out of the diff
Guilty by calling it magnetic.
Whatever it was it produced very
disagreeable impression on me, and /
could not but wonder that Mr.. Birch
more should have chosen to take such
creature into his employ. l had the
sense, however, on this occasion to keep
my speculations to myself; l was re-
solved not to make a fool of myself again
if could help tat least not with this
particular family. noticed that when
ever Mr.. Birchmore had occasion to ad-
dress this man he did so in peculiarly
severe and peremptory tone, very differ
ent from his usual low voiced style.
There was seemingly no great affection
for him on his masters part, therefore,
and certainly the valet looked incapable
of tender feeling toward any human
creature.
Possibly, however, he was invaluable
as a servant and his unpropitiating ex-
terror might cover an honest and faith
full heart. Only, should such turn out
to be the case, would never again put
faith either in physiognomy or my own
instinct of aversion. disliked to think
of this i'll favored mortal being in daily
with my lovely Kate Birch
already, in my secret soul,
called her mine-and made up my
mind that if ever fortune granted me
the privilege of making her what called
her, | would see to it that monsieur the
valet formed part of any ones house
hold rather than ours. al
Meanwhile the ferryman had poled
and padded us across the river, on the
shore of which swarm of hotel porters
stood ready to rend US limb from limb.
But Mr.. Birchmore put them all aside
save one, to whom he pointed out my
trunk and gave him some directions
which did not hear.
81 take the liberty" he then said, turn
ing to me, Ito so far do the honors of
this place as to recommend you to the
most agreeable hotel in it, the Babe
haus, at the farther end of the village
and about half mile up the valley.
These hotels that front the river would
give you better fare perhaps and less
accommodations, but if
quiet and GOODNESS are what you are
after, not to mention the medicinal
spring water and private brass band,
the Badehaus is the thing" &c.,.
THE Badehaus be it, by all means"
This attention surprised me, not because
| misdoubte my friends courtesy, but
because had imagined that his courtesy
would not stand in the way of an unob-
trusive attempt to withdraw himself
and his daughter from my immediate
companionsnip. Yet so far was this
from being the case that he had taken
some pains to secure our being together,
for of course the Badehaus must be his
own quarters. glanced at Kate. who
had taken her fathers arm and was pac-
ing beside him thoughtfully, with down
cast eyes. Was she glad as well as |?
We passed through a narrow alley.
between two friendly buildings, which
seemed strongly inclined to lean on one
another's shoulders; crossed the rough
cobblestones of the little market place
and, gaining tie farther side of the
bridge, found ourselves on broad,
level walk, which skirted the southern
side of the small valley wherein the vii,
lage lies. On our right hand was q
series of succeed villas, built against
the steep side of the hill; on our left q
strip of meadow, with brook brawline
through it; and beyond this again the
struggling array of the village and the
hill on the other side. Overhead the
spreading branches of low trees kept
off the glare of the sun. Had Kate and
been there alone, methought the charm
of the place would have been complete
"What deliphtful little villas thesf