San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-07-12
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in Edith pertly, her bright face beaming
with mischief.
Frances grew redder and still more
dignifed Edith, how vulgar! II
seems to me that during the two years
that | have been abroad our circle of
friends has widened in a way which
may be indicated by the tone of your
manners. Papa will not see that people
may be vesy desirable as patients and
yet altogether the opposite as intimates.
If he is really going to send you to
Madame he had better make haste and
do so before you are hopelessly contain
mated"
Edith pursed up her pretty lips and
tossed her curly head defiantly before
she replied.
when come back" she said, II am
not going to put up with any of your
dull old middle aged lovers, can tell
you, no matter how rich, or how liter
airy, or how aristocratic! Oh, Francie,
you ought to have the most charming
lover in the world-rich of course-if
you can get him, but young and hand
mamma-our pretty Frances"
The mother smiled fondly and proudly
upon her two bonny girls, and patted
the younger ones chestnut curls.
What little goose it is! You are
both much too young to be thinking
about lovers; you especially, Edith, with
the prospect of another two years of
eahaal Efa hafara Eronnia
please herself, you know. Mr.. Fitz-
hardy is an exceedingly clever and in
teresting man; don't at all wonder
Frances likes him. And then remember
his sister is her dearest friend"
Eyes" said Frances, land see how
good he is to her. 1t is not every man
who would make so much of half sis
ter twenty years younger than himself.
What splendid position she has as mis-
tress of his house. Ample means, car
riages and horses, plenty of servants
and large circle of friends among the
most refined and cultivated people in
London"
"Oh, don't deny he is a charming
brother" said Edith. II was looking at
him as possible lover, capacity in
which for my part could not tolerate
him for one moment Why, he's getting
baldr'
Mrs. Lisle laughed, but Frances rose,
much irritated.
What has that got to do with it, and
who says he is any ones lover?
81 do" replied Edith imperturbably.
I'll bet you anything you like he is in
love with you"
Frances gave her sister look of I'M
fathomable disgust, but Mrs. Lisle only
smothered smile and gave utterance to
feeble remonstrance. "Oh, Edith-my
dearw
Wait and see-wait and see!" laughed
th~t young lady. 81 wish you joy of
your taste, Frances. For my part,
don't care quite so much about brains if
they are covered with plenty of nice
thick hair--dark, think, and curly
and tho head carried straight and steady,
well up in the air. Why do so many
literary men stoop; is it because they
are always poking their noses into ink
botties?"
But Frances had left the room with
out condescending to utter another word.
"And now, Edith" said Mrs. Lisle,
having driven your sister away by your
nonsense, you had better make haste
and finish those invitations. You have
not been quite kind to Frances, my dear"
ooh, mammal can't bear to see her
throwing herself away on that old prig'
Do you think she really cares for him?
She can't, surely"
HE is good man, Edith, greatly re-
spected; and just now, you know, Fran
ces thinks so much of intellect and cul-
tivation and all that kind of thing.
You must stop these jokes; they are not
in good taste. Your father and ought
to be very thankful to see the chance of
such a safe and comfortable future
offered to one of our girls. There are
so many of you, Edith
"Ah, yes-eight girls. But Francie
ought to be able to choose anywhere,
mamma, with her face and figure"
"She has nothing else, my dear, and
young men want so much nowadays"
Later on, when DIR. Lisle had returned
from his round, dined and established
himself in an easy chair with his cigar,
he said to his wife, who sat by him:
81 can't think what is the matter with
Frances. She seems to me to have come
back from France quite another girl. l
never thought daughter of mine could
be so foolish. She takes every ones
measure, and then, if they don't come
quite up to her standard, there is no get
ting her to be civil. This one is not
quite lady, and the other mo gentle
man. another, most uncultivated;' the
next, utterly commonplace or sadly
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