San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-11-17

Ridgeway, had her up in his strong
arms and over at the window before
another hand could touch her.
"Quick, Hunt, some water!" he or
dered, his teeth firmly set. Then how
his eyes softened as he looked down into
her pallid face! "Oh, my darling, my
darling" he murmured in that little,
shell like ear; and then, with wild anx-
iety in her eyes, Mrs. Berrien burst
through the sympathetic circle.
1t was all over i'll a moment. The
music never ceased. She was stunned
only for an instant, and then, though
Mrs. Berrien would have interposed,
like the little heroine she was, Winifred
was on her feet and holding out her hand
to poor, bewildered, miserable Ridge
way.
But come, we must finish the dance"
she said, and in so saying riveted the
chains of his serfdom.
II wouldn't dance with him again"
said Mrs. Vance, who had an opinion to
express on every subject. why, he
almost broke her head"
"If she didn't she'd break his heart,
Mrs. Vance," was old Kenyon's reply, as
he watched the Icene. That girls a
lady"
Gam not to be honored tonight, Mr..
Brewster" said low voice in his ear
as he stood silent, anxious, preoccupied
by Mrs. Berrien's side, his eyes follow
ing Winifred about the room. The very
information made him turn cold.
81 beg your pardon Mrs. Knowles;
saw only moment ago that you were
here"
She was leaning on her husbands arm.
"Not half a bad fellow if he is blind
fool" said those of his own sex who
knew him. Years her senior, he was
yet her slave. Witness his coming out
from town this late November night
solely at her behest to attend dance to
which neither was hidden.
"Ah, wonder you saw at all, my
friend, with that vision before your
eyes; and presume that was why you
had no time to come in person with you,
invitation"
mo invitations are sent out for these
little dances, Mrs. Knowles"
"There, there, I'm not going to up
braid you here. Mr.. Knowles, would
you get me glass of water? Mr.. Brew
ster, will you not present me to Mrs.
Berrien? We have exchanged calls, but
have not yet had the pleasure.
What could he do? The request was
as audible to Mrs. Berrien as to him,
and, even as she spoke, Mrs. Knowles
passed around in front of him so as al
most to face the majors wife, taking
the introduction as matter of course.
He glanced appealingly at Mrs. Berrien
as he murmured the name. He blessed
her in his heart of hearts for the calm
courtesy with which she greeted the
local celebrity. He bit his lips with
yexation at Mrs. Knowles very first
words:
81 could not resist the longing to
know you, Mrs. Berrien, for am utter
ly lost in admiration of your lovely
daughter" She, daring to speak of one
so pure, so innocent, so utterly beyond
herl Turning impatiently away, he en-
soOntered Major Berrien's eyes fixed
apon him with look that was not good
to see. He stepped forward, hoping to
explain, but Berrien, who had Just en-
tered the room after an absence of over
half an hour, whirled sharply about,
plainly indicating that he did not wish
to speak. This was bad enough. He
had been near the seventh heaven of
bliss. He had almost touched the gates
Of pearl. Now they were receding
through clouds and darkness, fading in
the distance. But worse was to come.
Mrs. Knowles had seated herself 10y
Mrs. Berrien's side, pouring forth rapid
compliment and confidence. The music
had ceased. Ridgeway, with Winifred
On his arm, was approaching slowly
checked every moment by man OF
woman, who begged to hear that she
was not shocked or seriously hurt. II
was not until she was within a few
yards that Winifred caught sight of hel
mothers companiOn-caught sight Of
the faint gesture and the warning il
her mothers eyes. Then she pressed
her escorts arm and turned him away.
fOh, do call Miss Winifred here.
so long to meet her, Mrs. Berrien," CRIED
Mrs. Knowles; and what could Mrs
Berrien do? The flush died out of Win
ifred's cheeks, the soft luster from hel
eyes. Obedient to her mothers unwill
ing summons, she stood before the Lad,
from town, but she stood erect, anC
there was not the faintest cordiality il
her manner. The long dashed lids droop
ed over her eyes as she bowed to tn
elder woman, but her hand, to Ridge
ways delight, refused to withdraw from
his arm. No one saw more plainly thai
did Mrs. Knowles that nothing could u
more unwelcome than that introduction