San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-01-20

by Haunting the confederate colors ant
in at least two misunderstanding
themselves in the adored stars and bars
in full publicity.
As fearless as they were injudicious
some Baltimoreans not only brough,
suffering upon themselves, but willfully
nullified their chances to relieve that OF
those absent ones whose cause they sc
defended and revered. But the quie,
and more tactful set, while doing moth.
ing to hurt their own consciences, yet
kept on easy terms with those of differ
ing political color. And who shall
blame them if, at the same time, they
kept eye and ear alert for every chance
which might profit distant friends, by
ready hand or open purse? For many
of these, also, had their next of kin in
the southern army-some as humble
privates, some, again, high in rank and
sending echo of their names beyond the
river for deeds of derring do.
C. Thus the social situation of the hour
was one of exceeding delicacy, demand
ing for its solution not only tact and
ease In society usage, but courage, in
telligence, and diplomacy as well.
Of old historic family on both sides,
and with unstinted means, the Gilmor
Grays We're facile leaders in the gayest
events of that eventful winter; and to-
nights musicale-simply an informal
one, almost impromptu, to which guests
had been hidden only the previous day
was eclipsed, in quality at least, by
no previous occasion.
Miss Westchester had finished
sparkling rendering of Chopin waltz,
when her sister was led to the piano by
cabinet minister. The deep hush
wrapping all in the mushroom through
the notes of Gounod's Jewel Song
for Faust" was then a novelty In
Paris-broke into spontaneous rush of
gloved hands together, demanding its
encore. The light of well-won praise
lit the girls richly colored face, as she
raised her dark eyes from fringing
iashes Suddenly they fell upon a new
conner in the doorway, and the light
quickly changed to deeper and more
meaning one. But she quickly dropped
her face, and her fingers idly touched
the keys again.
Handsome fellow, that! quite dis,
tingue," the cabinet member said, fol.
lowing her glance, then letting his OWE
rest admiringly on the face she did not
raise to reply:
San old friend of-mamma's. Did
Sou never meet him before, judge?"
Scarcely possible, Miss Bessie" the
dignitary answered. Even among the
thousands of new faces, ! would not
forget that one. But we are forgetting
what is more important-the encore"
'It shall be a simple old ballad,
then" she answered.; and again she shot
one swift glance into the dark eyes of
Peyton Fitzhugh, elegantly languid in
evening dress. He made no movement
save to smooth, rather foppishly, the
black hair brushed low on his broad
brow. Next instant all the fire in the
girls vibrant soprano was ringing in
that old rebel ditty: Charlie Is My
Darling" The elegant traitor listened,
to the very last note, leaning lightly
against the door frame, but with no
changed expression on his strong, quiet
face. Nor did he respond to-even if
he caught-theq quick glance the singers
eyes again sent him with the last note,
but his gloved hand joined in the APP
plause as the bachelor functionary at
the piano, bending over the girl in evil
dent admiration, said, softly:
"Enviable Charlie Miss Bessie. But
you certainly do sing Scotch ballads
con amore."
"Thank you" she answered. Simple,
iunscientific as they are, some of them
are great favorites of mine This, for
instance
She broke quickly into the liltful
melody:' "An the Blue Bonnets Are
Over the Border" But the glance she
sent to the doorway as it's accompani-
ment was lost. Ftzhugh had been re-
placed by a blonde youth wearing per-
feet clothes, and his own particular
smile upon his fair, chiscled features,
undeniably aristocratic. His own par
ticular knack, too, elevated his arched
eyebrows wonderingly, yet never
'wrinkling his soft, boyish forehead. A
character in his own patented way,
hiding carefully any strength of char
acter he had, universally popular fol-
plainly admirable traits and perfect
manners, was Mr.. William Howard Nc
Kee.
A noted society man." spite of his
unattained majority and almost girlisl
Igentleness, he was descended from "a
signer" on his mothers side, from
wealthy ancestry on both. He was
too, a budding wit, whose good heart
land unfailing tact made him as popular
with the club set as he was with the
german" by divine right of heels
But peculiarly was Willie McKe,