San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-05-12

bdlIl al hIllSliSuLldluo
upon my word, l believe you've been
laughing at me from the beginning!
But however ridiculous may be, Miss
Birchmore, | can have thoughts and
feelings that are not ridiculous
ooh, please-please don't be angry.
And I'm sure never thought you ride
ulous-I-oh, anything but that!
The tone, the look which accompanied
these last words made me forget caution
and self possession for moment. "Mlss
Birchmore-oh, Kate! | cannot lose
sight of you'll cannot lose you! Do you
care-is it nothing to you if we never
meet after today? Kate, love your
Had the confession come too soon?
Was she offended? She shrank away
from me with a glance searching, yet
pathetically appealing.
"Do not forget yourself. sir. You are
an honorable English gentleman. What
have you said?'
81 love you-yes, love you'll"
HE loves me-" she repeated slowly
and caught her breath with kind of
sob. Her eyes fixed themselves on me
with an inward look, as of intense rev.
erie. at must not be! it must not bel
but he does love me" Her hands fell in
her lap; there were tears now in her
eyes, but smile quivered over her lips.
"Why do you say it must not be, Kate?
It is! 1t shall be!'
| took her hand, which she scarcely
attempted to withdraw, l felt that |
had won her and would hold her against
all corners.
Just then a knock came to the door;
she snatched her hand away and rose to
her feet. Mr.. Slurk entered.
"The band is going to play in the
court" he said in German. 81 have
kept chairs and table for the lady and
gentleman beneath the trees"
He made low obeisance as he spoke,
but his malignant glance never swerved
from Kate, and she, half turning toward
him, seemed impelled by a power
stronger than her own will to meet it,
though slightly shivering the while with
pure aversion. For my own part l
longed with all my heart to kick the
varlet into the hall or throw him out of
the window But prudence warned me
to bide my time. If obtained the foot
ing to which aspired in Mr.. Birch
mores family | would settle summarily
with Mr.. Slurk; meanwhile l should
best consult my interests by conducting
myself with all due quietness and de-
corum. offered Kate my arm to lead
her from the room, but with barely
perceptible gesture she declined it, and
walked swiftly before me through the
doorway, Slurk making another deep
obeisance as we passed. The fellow had
a smooth, unimpeachable way of getting
the better of one that made my blood
boil. | commanded myself, not without
an effort, and nursed my wrath to keep
it warm.
When we reached the court the brass
band had established itself in the little
pagoda erected there for its accomoda-
ton and was just striking up, and there,
sure enough, We're table and chairs
awaiting us beneath the trees. But
neither of us was in humor to face a
crowd of people, and by tacit agree.
ment we turned to the left and, crossing
the little plank bridge which spanned
the narrow stream that skirted the hotel
grounds, we found ourselves ON the high
road leading up the valley. Along this
we walked for some distance, both of
us silent. At length the opening of a
path presented itself, which climbed by
zigzag route to the summit of the pine
clad hill. Into this we turned, and in a
few moments were out of sight of alien
eyes amid the thick growing hemlocks.
The ascent was steep, and at the first
turning in the path my beautiful COM
panion paused for breath.
Twill you take my arm now. Kate?"
said.
With faint smile she complied.
just for this once" heard her muir
muir, seemingly speaking to herself.
Never again-but this once | will"
Nov, Kate" said resolutely, bend
ing forward so as to catch her eye, "let
us have done with mysteries. No more
never agains' and Just this onces, if
you please! First, want you to tell
me whether you love me-"
She drew her breath hard.
81 can tell you nothing, Mr.. Gains.
borough
"You shall not call me Mr.. Gains
borough If you can't call me Tom,
call me nothing; but will never be Mr.
Gainsborough to you againr'
Il thought we were to have no more
never against" she rejoined, with 6
passing sparkle of the old playfulness il
her air.
"None of yours, meant"
81 will call you Tom, if you please