San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-03-28
THE STOLEN CURL.

fulSSl5Slppl - iouS INV VI CiCSdhU ftltds,
group Of business houses. and here and
there public building or private institu.
ton, form the lovely and quiet town of Pass
Christian, noted for its balmy climate, the
beauty of it's situation, its handsome resi-,
dences and the wealth and refinement of its
citizens
To the young ladies' academies and mill
tary institutions of Pass Christian many
of the wealthy planters were wont to send
their daughters and sons to be educated,
and as the pupils of the respective institu.
tions would meet in their daily promenades
many admiring glances would be ex-
changed between them and longings felt
to become acquainted.
Among the fair pupils Of the lake acad.
envy none were more beautiful than Rosa
Vertner, the sole heiress to all of her dot
ing fathers cotton estate situated upon the
Mississippi river
A shower of golden curls fell upon her
shoulders; blue, dreamy eyes. bright,
smiling face and graceful form, added to
a disposition of the truest womanly sweet
ness, made the young girl of fifteen partic-
ularly attractive to all who knew her.
Many handsome cadet from the mill
tary academy had fallen in love with the
bewitching beauty at the first glance from
the heavenlit eyes, but to none did she
show a preference when meeting at the
soirees and receptions given by the differ.
ent schools .-r-..
One of Rosa's greatest though silent ad-
mirers was Earl Griffith, the son of Mis-
sissippi planter, whose estate lay adjoining
that of MIR. Vertner, but between Mr.. Vert
ner and Colonel Griffith there existed great
bitterness, and for years the families had
not spoken, though meeting constantly in
social intercourse at the houses of the
neighboring planters.
The feud commenced long years before,
in the old days before the war; when Mr..
Vertner and Colonel Griffith were rivals
for the hand of Earl's mother.
Colonel Griffith had won her heart and
hand and had married her, and his success
SO enraged Mr. Vertner that he challenged
him. A duel followed, and in this en-
counter Colonel Griffith came off victori
Gus, severely wounding his adversary.
Since that day neither had spoken to the
other.
Meeting at Pass Christian, thus it was
that, though Rosa could not but see that
Earl Griffith admired her, and he felt that
she was not Indifferent to his gaze, both
were governed by the remembrance of the
feud existing between their parents, and
gave no sign of the recognition of the
others feelings g.I.
Toward the close of lovely summer
day, in the year that this story opens, the
fair pupils of the lake institute had gone
down the long pier, leading out into the
lake, to the bathhouse of the institution
Soon a merry party of damsels were
splashing about in the water. 1t was a
pretty sight, and handsome youth OF
twenty-one, clad in the stylish uniform OF
the Pass Christian Military academy.
paused and gazed upon the lovely scene.
Suddenly shrek was heard, and dark
form was borne away by the tide, out OF
reach of aid from her companions.
With the speed of deer the young cadet
sped down the pier, reached the bath
house and bounded headlong into the
water.
Vigorously did he breast the waves and
soon rapidly overlook the fair girl, who
was struggling to sustain herself above
the waters, for she was fair swimmer.
Soon he came nearer, and seeing that
help was at hand her courage forsook heI
and she sank beneath the waters, while
that her companions believed her forever
lost. .8I.. ..H' a.....
With deep dive the youth succeeded in
catching hold Of the drowning girl, and
with renewed strength started shoreward
Bravely did he struggle, and ut last he
felt that he would reach the shore, fol
when almost to the bathing house two OF
the professors of the institute alarmed by
e lsut hn1 lntx-t, RI ho
scene, and swimming out a few yards had
relieved the youth of his precious burden.
Without a word the young man turned
once more seaward, and to the surprise OF
all commenced to swim down the coast.
In vain did they call to him from the
shore On he swan, and night coming
rapidly on he was no longer visible.
After continuing slowly and with strong
and steady stroke down the coast, the ca
Diet swan toward pier that projected
some distance into the lake, and then drew
himself, greatly fatigued, from the water.
Looking around him to see that he was
not watched, he walked rapidly up the
pier and struck off across the fields for the
academy. -e--.-
Arriving there he sought his room and
reached it unperceived, where he hastily
changed his clothing.
Before descending to the study hall TO
join his fellow students he drew from the
pocket of his saturated jacket, which he
had thrown aside, long golden curl,
dampened by the sea water.
II could not resist the temptation to
sever this beautiful curl from its golden
mates. She will miss it, and yet she will
never know who it was that saved her
life;" and carefully drying the tress OF
hair the cadet placed it securely away.
A great excitement was created at Pass
Christian by the saving from watery
grave of the beautiful Rosa Vertner, and
of the strange conduct of her noble pre-