San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-07-16
PHST AND PRESENT
By Mrs. R. V. A. z00X.

81 would offer to send a man to tell
Mr.. Carleton of your safety" said Mr..
Somers, "but while the storm is SC
heavy do not think it would be safe.
am very glad you reached even the
poor accommodations that this neglected
old house affords. Are you sure you are
not the worse for your fall?"
"No," she said, "though | must have
been stunned, for I am not given to
fainting. There must have been strong
provocation for my weak behavior.
And the old housekeeper"-with smil.
and the shadow of grimace at the
thought-"kindly forced on us both q
quantity of some decoction that will
without fail prevent all i'll effects from
our drenching."
81 hope now your docility is to be re.
warded by something more appetizing,'
said Mr.. Somers, as Hannah entered and
moved out from the wall at one end OF
the room mahogany table, the leaves
of which she adjusted and presently
placed ON its dark surface supper,
served in a strange medley of dishes,
from heavy stoneware to dainty OLD
china.
As the last two candles in heavy sill.
yer candlesticks, tall and of graceful
shape, were placed ON the table, Rosa,
whose eyelids had looked heavy in the
freight, reused herself and watched
Hannah with interest as she deposited
on the table large silver coffee urn.
'May leave you, Miss, to pour the
coffee? There's skylight that always
leaks when it rains and l haven't had
time yet to put anything under it. I'd
like to go to see to it" she said with an
anxious face. d
"We should be very grateful" said
Mr.. Somers, and the girl quietly seated
herself behind the urn, Mr.. Nelson plac.
ing the child at his right hand and de-
voting himself to her comfort.
"Some have ENTERTAINED angels una.
wares" passed through John Somers'
mind-"thi~ is certainly more com.
Portable state of things. than anything
had looked for in this dismal place."
AS the girl poured the coffee from the
heavy old urn the half flowing sleeve of
her old fashioned black gown fell back
and disclosed wrist and arm that a
sculptor might have been glad to copy.
She talked pleasantly to the two men, but
there was simple dignity in her con-
versation that won the admiration of
both. When they left the table she
walked to the window and listened for a
moment to the storm.
"The storm does not sound so violent"
she said. eff Mr.. Carleton does not
come or send soon, would it be imposing
too much on your kindness to ask you to
send man to let him know where we
are? He will be SO uneasy, and he can
not know that we found such good shell
ter"
As she paused. the great knocker
sounded loudly and Mr.. Somers hurried
to the door to admit Mr.. Carleton,
whose cheerful face wore an unwonted |
expression Of anxiety, which was lifted
as Rosa ran forward and threw herself |
into his wet arms, with an impetuous |
rush that surprised the strangers, who |
had witnessed the quiet mapner of the |
little woman. Miss Douglas, in the |
background, was perhaps as much re-
lieved, though not so demonstrative.
80 you and Margery found shelter
here, while / have been fearing you
were drowned or dashed to pieces
Why, Somers, is it really you in the
flesh, old man? Who would have
dreamed of finding you in this remote
region!' turning to the man who ap-
peared to be the host, and who returned
his greeting with less amazement and
equal cordiality. my man, who is al
most as good as an Indian ON a scent,
saw some tracks in a sheltered place
that led him to think the pony and cart
had turned in here. Are you both in
good order-no bones broken? Somers,
you must imagine my gratitude till
IAN express it better"
Nonsense, we did nothing; the obi
cation is ON the other side; the young
adde's company has been great boon,
can assure you; has it not, NelsonY'
1t was soon arranged that the man
who had accompanied Mr.. Carleton
should ride home and bring carriage for
Miss Douglas and Rosa, and meanwhile
hey withdrew to Hannahs domains to
make what preparation they could for
heir drive home.
"Thank you so much, and good night,
Mr.. Somers," Miss Douglas said rather
hyly, as he stood by the carriage re-
,ardless of the rain falling on him
trough the trees, and she reached
through the carriage window a small
Ingloved hand, which John Somers had
ime to hold for some seconds while
lr. Carleton and the lawyer were ex-
hanging LAST words. The carriage dis
ppeared in the darkness. and the two {