San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-04-14
LOVELORN LIZZIE.

"Oh, it's you, is it, Lizzie?" was Mrs.
Priscilla Kane's ejaculation as her pretty
daughter, black eyed, curly haired,
roguish faced girl of seventeen, who
worked in one of the big Kensington
factories, walked into the kitchen,
swinging her dinner basket in her hand
and humming merry tune.
"Yes, dear mother, it is l." said the
girl, and she kissed the wrinkled face of
the hard worked woman.
I'm glad you've come" said Mrs.
Kane, glancing admiringly down into
her daughters pretty face. "Mr. Mer-
Ger is in the front room. He's been wait
ing for you for about two hours, and
Lizzie" sinking her voice, she had n
long talk with your father, in which he
said that he loved you and wanted to
make you his wife. I'm sure it almost
took my breath away when your father
told me about it, for he's got good
business and owns lots of property be-
sides. He told your father that as soon
as you were his wife he'd satisfy the
comfortable for the balance of our lives.
Lord knows, it will seem strange enough
to rest, for I've seen nothing but work
since | was chit of girl, and I've
grown old before my time trying to make
ends meet. Now put on your Bingham
dress and go in to see him. He is in the
front ROOM"
Mrs. Kane paused suddenly and
stepped back with startled cry, for,
happening to glance at her daughters
face, she saw such a marvellous change
in its expression that she grew alarmed.
"Now, Lizzie" she continued, ''don't
fret me and say you won't do it, for I've
got raging headache, and little more
excitement will drive me crazy. l am
sure it's not much that your pa and l
ask you to do. You ought to be willing
to make some sacrifice for our sakes."
II amw answered Lizzie, and the hard
lines in her face softened; "Pm willing
to work early and late for you, but
when you ask me to marry man whom
hate it is too much"
"There, there" began Mrs. Kane. 81
knowed you'd only have one of your tan
trums as soon as told you of your good
fortune, but your father would go to the
saloon and leave me to face it all, and
sinking into chair she threw her apron
over her head and began sobbing and
crying and rocking herself back and
forth in manner, suggesting hysteria.
80 father has gone to the saloon
again, after promising me to remain
away" said Lizzie, and her eyes snap
ped. -. ~ ..--..-N.
Its because he's in trouble" apollo
gized the mother, wiping her eyes. eff
you'd only marry Mr.. Mercer and lift us
out of our poverty, your pa would be a
different man."
81 doubt itr' muttered Lizzie; and
then, speaking loud, said: "Well,
won't marry Mr.. Mercer-that settles
it. Marry him? I'll go out and beg
firstr' and, Selling her shawl and hat,
quickly donned them before her mother
could interfere, rushed out of the door,
and had reached the end of the alley be-
fore that lady could get to the gate.
THAT girl will be the death of me-"
Mrs. Kane moaned, re-entering the
kitchen, and then rolling down the
sleeves of her faded calico dress she
smoothed her hair and walked into the
front room. where Mr.. Isaac Mercer, a
fat, pudgy man of City, with smooth
and very red face and a bald head, sat
vacantly staring at the big pattern in
the cheap ingram carpet.
Rather haltingly she apologized for
her daughters absence, saying that the
latter would not be home until late,
having to do overwork at the mill, and
Isaac Mercer left, promising to call on
the morrow.
Lizzie meanwhile proceeded toward
the saloon which her father frequented.
She was obliged to cross the railroad to
reach the place, and she stopped at the
little signal station, where she knew
Charlie Hancock, the telegraph operator,
was at work.
Charlie was the particular friend of
Ned Howell, brakeman on the railroad,
who had been Lizzie's lover since they
were children together, and whom she
had promised to marry when he should
have saved enough to give her home.
Charlie" she said, tapping on the
window to attract his attention, Twill
So be down tonight"
At sound of her voice Charlie raised
his head from his work, and catching
sight of the girls pretty face, sprang to
k;z fa0G