San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-01-13

over in that meadow she had once been
forced to take refuge in q tree from the
hostile demonstrations Of an unruly
heifer, whose calf she had annoyed with
overtures of friendship She had sat
among the branches, forlorn and fright
ened, for more than an hour, feeling
that each moment was q month and
that such thing as forgetfulness was
impossible to the bovine mind, when
Jim, cantering home from school over
in the village. had spied her out and
rescued her.
Passing from retrospect to anticipa-
ton. the girls mind wandered to, the
new arrivals, and idle speculations about
them filed it. Naturally her thoughts
were colored by her wishes, and she
pleased herself with fancying them agree
able people, refined and cultured. with
whom association would be pleasant. He,
fancy was untrammeled, for her facts
were few and the name afforded no clew
whatever. People named Smith might be
anything-or nothing, regarded socially.
The name was noncommittal, but it sug-
gested possibilities, and its range was in
finite. Wits, felons, clergymen, adven-
turers, millionaires and spendthrifts-all
had answered to the unobtrusive cog
nomen. 1t was plain and commonplace,
but as battling as disguise.
With Talbot, Meredith or Percival the
case is different, such nomenclature pre-
supposes gentility. As the name Per
cival' crossed the girls mind in her
whimsical musings her thoughts seized
upon it and fitted it instantly to the
name which had preceded it, Percival-
and Smith, Percival Smith! That was
the name signed to the letter they had
rediscovered after its sleep of years
the letter telling them of Temple. This
newcomer was, or had been, an army
officer-a general. Suppose it should be
the same person? Nay; it must bet
wasl Her mind leaped to the delightful
conclusion impetuously, and before she
had proceeded ten yards further Poca-
hontas was fully convinced of the cor
rectness of her conclusion and busy with
plans for returning the kindness they
had received.
Filled with pleasure in her thought
her steps quickened, as though her feet
were trying to keep pace with her bright
imaginings. And so engrossed was she
with castle building, that it was only
when she stopped to climb fence sepa-
rating the road from field through
which lay short cut to Aunt Violet's
cabin, that she became aware of her
small attendant.
"Why, Sawney, who told you to conner
she questioned, as she sprang to the
ground on the other side. The little
fellow slowly and CT yefully mounted the
fence, balancing his fat body on the top
rail rs he turned circumspectly in order
to scramble down. When the landing
bad been safely effected. he peered up at
her with twinkling eyes and announced,
with the air of one imparting gratifying
intelligence: Nobody. l tum myself. i
divine longer YOU"
There are sheep in this field; you'd
better run home. They'll scare you to
death"
"Ain't 'feard," was the valiant re-
Spouse.
Pocahontas wrinkled up her brows. 1t
was almost too far to send him back
alone, and there was no one passing along
the road who could escort him to the
home gate even if he would go, which
was unlikely. 1t would not do to start
him home with the certainty that he
would return the instant her eye was off
him and stand by the fence peeping
through the cracks until she should get
back to him. Since he had followed her
so far it would be better to let him go all
the way.
"Come then" she said doubtfully, 81
suppose must take you, although you
had no business to follow me. If the
sheep come after us, Sawney, remember
that you're not afraid. You must not
cry or hold on to my dress with your dirty
little hands. Do you hear?"
YAM" acquiesced Sawney, with sus-
picious readiness, resuming his line OF
march behind her.
They pursued their way uneventfully
until they had reached the middle of the
field, when the catastrophe which Poca-
hontas had anticipated occurred. A
flock of sheep, peacefully grazing at a
little distance, suddenly raised their
heads and advanced with joyful bleat-
ing, evidently regarding the pair as
ministering spirits come TO crafty their
saline ysarning. Sawney-perjured Saw
ney! all unmindful of his promise, no
sooner beheld their advance than he
halted instantly, the muscles of his face
working ominously.
Come on. Sawney," urged the young
lady encouragingly; ''the sheep won't
L...4 ..,.,. Ahnrr tli,,l rra hava salt for