San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-04-05

that came within measurable distance
of it, A dinner party was impending,
and at nay instigation the bishop of
Northchurch and Miss Panton, his
daughter and heiress, were among the
invited guests.
The dinner was particularly good
one, remember that distinctly. In fact,
l felt myself partly responsible for it,
having engaged the new cook-a talented
young Italian pupil of the admirable old
chef at my club. We had gone over the
menu carefully together, with result
refreshing in its novelty, but not so dar-
ing as to disturb the minds of the inno-
cent country guests who were hidden
thereto.
The first spoonful of soup was reassur-
ing, and looked to the end of the table
to exchange congratulatory glance
with Leta. What was amiss? No re-
Spouse. Her pretty face was flushed,
her smile constrained; she was talking
with quite unnecessary empressement to
her neighbor, Sir Harry Lander, though
Leta is one of those few women who I'M
derstand the Importance of letting man
settle down TRANQUILITY and with an I'M
| disturbed mind to the business of dining,
allowing no topic of serious interest to
| come on before the relieves, and resery-
ing mere conversational brilliancy for
the entremets.
Guests all right? No disappointments?
/ had gone through the list with her, Sc
lecting just the right people to be asked
to meet the Landors, our new neighbors.
Not mere cumbrous county gathering,
nor yet snowy, imported party from
town, but skillful blending of both.
Had anything happened already? had
been late for dinner and missed the ar
rivals in the drawing room. 1t was
Leta's fault. She had got into way of
coming into my room and putting the
last touches to my toilet. l let her, for
l am doubtful of myself nowadays after
many years dependence on the best of
Wallets. Her taste is generally beyond
| dispute, but today she had INDUCED in a
feminine vagary that provoked me and
made me late for dinner.
"Are you going to wear your sapphire,
Uncle PAUL." she cried in tone of dis.
may "Oh, why not the rubyg'
"You would have your way about the
table decoration" l gently reminded her.
"With that service of Crown Derby
repousse and orchids the ruby would
look absolutely barbaric. Now, if you
would have had the Limoges set, white
candles and yellow silk CENTER
"Oh, but-Tm so disappointed-I
wanted the bishop to see your ruby-or
one of your engraved gems
"My dear, it is on the bishops account
put this on. You know his daughter
is heiress of the great Valdez sap
phire"-
"Of course she is, and when he has
the charge of a stone three times as big
as yours what's the use of wearing it?
The ruby, dear Uncle Paul, please"
She was desperately in earnest could
see, and considering the obligations
which am supposed to be under to her
and Tom, it was but a little matter to
| yield, but it involved good deal of ex-
ira trouble. Studs, sleeve links, watch
guard, all carefully selected to go with
the sapphire had to be changed, the EN-.
erald which chose as compromise re-
curing more ford Accomplishments of
a deeper tone of gold, and the dinner
hour struck as replaced my jewel case,
the one relic left me of once handsome
fortune, in my fireproof safe.
The emerald looked very well that
evening however. l kept my eyes upon
it for comfort when Miss Panton proved
trying.
She was lean, yellow, dictatorial
young person, with no conversation. l
| spoke of her fathers celebrated sapphires.
my sapphires," she amended sourly;
Though | am legally debarred from
making any profitable use of them"
She furthermore informed me that she
viewed them useless gauds, which ought
to be disposed of for the benefit of the
heather. | gave the subject up, and
while she discoursed of the work of the
Blue Ribbon Army among the Bosjes-
man, tried to understand certain dis
location in the arrangement of the table.
Surely we were more or less in number
than we should be. Opposite side all
right. Who was extra on ours? | leaned
forward. Lady Lander on one side of
Tom; on the other who? | caught
glimpses of plumes pink and green nod
ding over a dinner plate, and beneath
them pink nose in green visage, with
nutcracker chin altogether unknown
to me.
A sharp, gray eye shot a sideway
glance down the table and caught me
peeping, and retreated, having only