San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-05-10

and this feminded me or the similar oe
havior which had noted in her fathe,.
That secret, that mystery whatever il
was that weighed upon him-had cas-,
its shadow over her young heart like
wise Honestly did sympathize with
her unknown trouble, and ardently did
! long-all vulgar curiosity aside-to
have the knowledge of it impaired to
me- Few calamities are so heavy as
that by earnest and friendly help they
may not be ightened. What could it
be? In vain asked myself that aues-
ton.
Here was this lovely girl, in the first
fresh bloom of existence, just beginning
to taste with eager, uncloyed palate all
the sweet joys and novelties of life
health, youth, a happy temperament
and ample wealth ranked on her side,
and yet this bitterness of misfortune,
not by rights her own, must needs COM
municate its blighting influence to heri
It was t1agical to think of. Yes, ever
and anon could mark its traces in her
vivid face and winning bearing; pass
ing gloom of sadness in those wonder
full eyes; culver of apprehension about
the lips; an involuntary gesture of nerv-
business or lassitude; many trifling signs,
scarcely perceptible perhaps to a regard
less keen and watchful than mine had
already become. Already? But time
in an acquaintance like this is not to be
measured by hours or minutes. 1t is. a
trite saying, and yet how true, that those
who are under the influence of strong
emotion may live years in a few heart
beats.
"Please-oh, please don't look so sol
emn, Mr.. Gainsboroughl What has
happened? should think, to look at
you, that you had been robbed of your
diamonds at the very least"
mo; they are safe enough" said l,
calling up as cheerful tone and aspect
as could master, and putting my hand
over the inner pocket as spoke, "Are
you fond of diamonds"
'Oh, did you ever hear of a girl who
wasn't? think there is nothing SO
beautiful! Papa has a great many, but
he says mustn't wear them until after
am married. Isn't that hardY'
"But perhaps you think of being mar
ried before longf" ! inquired, with posi-
lively a jealous throb at my heart.
"No, that's the trouble; l know l
shall never be married" These words
were uttered in lower and graver tone,
and once more thought could discern
the fitting traces of that mysterious
melancholy. But she frightened up
when said: sa'.
well, he won't object to your seeing
my diamonds, at any rate; not even to
your putting them on, perhaps!"
/, "Just for minute may l? that will
be splendid! Papa says that some of
them are the finest he ever saw" ~ :, 3
"For longer than a minute, Miss Birch
more, if you are willing-I mean if he"--
What did mean, pray? Was going to
make an offer of my hand, heart and dia-
monds on less than an hours acquaint-
ance in railway carriage; and was i
going to forget that the diamonds did
not belong to me at all, but to my re-
spected mother, who would probably see
me cut off with a shilling before grant
ing me the disposal of them? Luckily
for my self possession and self respect
the train drew up just then at the station
known as ''Krippen," on the bank of the
river immediately opposite Schandau.
The guard opened the door, we alighted,
and the first person we saw was Mr..
Birchmore, and close behind him short,
ungainly, beetle browed fellow, a valet
or footman apparently, with a camp
stool, an umbrella and small basket of
fruit on his arm.