San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-03-18

curious long drawn bowls, which pea
Torrance transported the little boys
with admiration and caused them for
days to fill the house with such hideous
sounds of mourning that Mary was
forced to interfere and make it pun
ishable offense.
Anthony, through his intercourse with
Mrs. Beverley, had overcome his shyness
with ladies, and enjoyed this intimate
association with well bred women more
even than he realized himself until he
came to look back upon it. He was
sometimes OVERLOAD, and often decidedly
boisterous, but it was summer weather
and everybody was happy, so they were
not captious or critical about him. With
Mary, what he did and said no longer
made a particle of difference; he had
ceased even to jar upon her. For her,
heaven and earth were filled with soft
content, and all things We're beautiful,
all people tolerable, if not absolutely
pleasant.
The days rolled ON in peace and beauty
until month had passed, and then came
the little rift in the lutte, the tiny cloud
in the sky.
They had been dancing-that is, the
girls and Dan and Mr.. Warwick, who
had come up from Richmond "for re-
pairs" he said, after damaging course
Of civilities to Miss Cornelia? Mary
played for them, and Anthony, who did
not dance, leaned on the end of the piano
and watched them. Dan was dancing
with Ella Henderson, and after dozen
turns or so, at word from her they
stopped in the corner by the piano.
"Let me play now, Mary" said Ella,
with mischief in her eyes, land take
turn yourself. It will do you lots of
good, and Mr.. Stewards step is just per-
fection."
"Please do. Mrs. Beverley" Dan plead
ed eagerly. "You have never danced
with me once, and have begged you so
often. Miss Elias compliment is to be
taken with salt, but I'm sure we should
get on together"
Mary hesitated. 81 haven't danced
for years." she said, half rising.
"Then don't lose any more time," said
Ella, usurping the piano imperiously.
"All thought Of the years is bootless;
our part is to chase the glowing hours
with flying feet. Go dance, my dear,
and never heed the years. Listen: I'm
going to tempt you both with 'Woman's
Love-" She glanced up, smiling as her
fingers swept over the keys.
Mary danced with the beautiful un
dulating movements of daughter OF
the south whose feet have learned tc
follow the mazes of music from the very
cradle, and Dan was the partner whon
every woman he danced with felt at
once that she had waited for for years.
Never was waltz more beautiful, never
seemed a waltz more perfect, since
music and movement first lent them
selves to the embodiment of dreams
and received a soul from love.
As Ned Anthony's eyes followed the
| pair, moving softly to the softness OF
the music, for the first time suspicion
of what might be impending broke
coldly, like the dawn of winter day,
upon his mind. He was stunned for
moment and stood quite motionless, with
his lids dropped as was his custom. Ella
spoke to him once or twice, but receiv.
ing no answer glanced at him over her
shoulder. The pair were passing close,
Dams head little bent, as though he
were speaking; his mustache almost
grazed her hair, for he was but little
taller, and Mary was smiling and her
eyes were downcast Ned's jaw squared
itself cruelty, and about his mouth deep
ened lines that would have shocked the
girl who was watching him, could she
have seen them-hard, wolfish lines that
the beautiful brown heard concealed, as
the soft fur conceals the leopard's claws
and the soft marsh grass the serpents.
The dropping lids seemed to intensity the
sullen fire of the eyes, which glowed like
furnace through half opened doors.
Ella stopped suddenly, and obeying a
curious impulse touched as if by acct
dent with her own the hand that rested
on the edge of the piano. She after.
ward described to her sister the sensa.
ton experienced:
at was hard and tense, you know,
like mans handhis when he is about to
deal blow, and the knuckles stood out
a little. just touched it-barely grazed
it-with my fingers, but it made them
tingle. If had taken hold of it or laid
my hand down on it should have got
an electric shock 1t was curious, Nan, to
be within the circle of his sphere. He
was almost rigid with jealousy and yet
was quivering with emotion. That man
can be dangerous. | felt as though ]
wanted an insulator between us"
Nan found the topic one of more than
Abok A.