San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-10-25
JUST As SHE WAS.
By WILLIAM PERRY BROWN.

copyright, 1928, by American Press Associa-
toni
get on much better With different asso-
ciateS."
Il told you once before that l could
not give up my friends" she returned
somewhat sullenly.
He had not intended at first to re-
monstrate upon this head, nor had she
thought of being otherwise than humbly
solicitous. But Miss Oberly was kind
hearted, nor had a fashionable life dulled
a natural quickness of comprehension SO
broad as to be, i'll her, quite uncOnven-
tional. She had already OWNED touch
ing incongruity between ArizOny and
her local surroundings.
Stay here with me for a few days"
she now said to the girl. Il know al
most nothing of you, but you appear to
be both good and sensible. If Lieuten-
ant Stirling concurs, will give you en-
ployment here. Meanwhile you will
have time to look about. From what
have heard of these boomers l should
think you would do well to keep away
from Jn6m III future.
'She is 50 energetic" said Philip
warmly Wants to be independent
and all that-don't you, Arizony? Why,
when first met her she was playing
Crusoe upon a claim of her own. 1t real
ly distressed me to have to take her
away. If she will stay, of course l shall
be pleased. You ladies can do so much
for your sex when you will. What say
you, Arizony? Let these men go. A lit
tie discipline will do them good"
While the girl seemed to consider,
Philip whispered in Miss Oberly's ear:
Zone of these men is her lover, fear.
A burly BLACKBOARD, of whom 1 half
think she is afraid, and yet she seems to
care for him too"
Here the lieutenant sighed and
shrugged his shoulder as if the seeming
contrarieties of the feminine mind were
too much for a mere soldier to entirely
fathom.
81 feel sure you are nice girl" said
the admirals daughter rather patroniz-
ingly., Stay with us-a week at any
rate"
THANK you, miss" replied Arizony,
feeling quite grateful, yet not seeing her
way clear to comply. "Td as soon work
for you as any one, and if you will let me
go home I'll be glad to come back. But
cannot leave them at the camp. I've
been with 'em so long, you see. They are
good to me in their way, and it wouldn't
be right for me to turn my back on 'em
now. can do this sewing" tapping a
bundle under her arm, lust as well
there as here. But, sir" turning again
earnestly to Philip, IF you would only
let Burl and John go, I'll make em be-
have. John is very poor. When he's
away, we can hardly get enough to eat.
AS for Burl"-
"Ah-yes-as for BurlY interpolated
Philip significantly as she hesitated.
Arizony flushed, looked at both her
auditors in turn, then let her gaze wan
der toward the distant guardhouse.
''You know how it is, sir, 'twixt Burl
and me" she resumed with an effort as
if overcoming a maidenly reluctance to
speak openly upon so personal a theme.
Il cannot leave him-he'd go to the
dogs entirely if 1 was to turn against
him, for he's fond of me in his way. I'd
much rather you'd let him go-itTl be
dom good deed to let them both of
this time. I'll never forget it, sir, OF
you either, or this lady who has beer
so kind"
Sterling, more and more perplexed
looked again at Miss Oberly who, in he1
turn, had been inspecting Arizony.
81 believe" said the admiral's daugh,
ter, gathering up her trail as if to 90
al would do as she desires, PhiTp-this
time. at least. I.dQn't know much about