San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-08-05
A ROMANTIC AFFAIR.

He was ruined. AS he left the casino
and wandered out into the gardens he
had absolutely not franc in his pockets
wherewith to purchase lodging or a
meal. The downcast profile was clear cut
and firm, arguing powerful individual
ity in its owner, and yet the mania had
seized him, as it had seized many a
weaker man, and he had staked his all
and lost over the gaming tables at Monte
Carlo.
The moonlight touched his bowed head
softly, silvered the outlines of his figure,
revealed his haggard whiteness. 1t fell
ON something disseminating that gilt
tered in his hands like steel.
"Stop! Don't do that"
1t was woman's voice that spoke, a
woman's touch that rested lightly on his
sleeve, woman's great dusky eyes, set
in face such as one sees but seldom in
lifetime, which were raised to his.
She had strolled from her party to enjoy
alone the beauty of the evening, and alb
sorbed in meditation had wandered far
Their than she knew.
The mans arm dropped to his side.
He looked at her in silence, wondering,
admiring, perhaps little ashamed.
why did you want to do it?' pursued
the gentle voice. docs life seem so
evil thing to your"
II have been fool-a mailman! lam
ruined! wish to God had never seen
this cursed place"
"But you are a man. You can work.
You can regain all that you have lost"
He shook his head.
81 cannot find employment here, and
haven't the means to get away. | have
had the viatique already, and | went
back to the tables thinking to have one
more bid for fortune ard LOST. The au-
thorities will not hcl twice"
Her hand SlipNF NJ I'r pocket and
out again. - I the pistol
away from %. .r's-a', omething
in its place
"See, have b t tn ling @ vou,"
she said hurucdly. lyon a: I'd not feel
too grateful. Co2ppntriots g,.ould b, p
each other. If 81 went to r,pay mo,
swear to yourself that y>u will never do
what you attempted just now. Unjust
leave you now. Goodby."
She was gone before he could stay ou
thank her-swallowed mp and 4 in tho
shadow of the trees.
miss Ferris, allow me to introdut
you Mr.. Fergus Landeck."
The first time they had met alone be-
meath the stars at Monte Carlo, now they
were amid fashionable London crowd,
and she was in evening dress, with dia-
monds sparkling at her throat and in her
hair.
For an instant she returned his gaze,
questioning, perplexed; then there was
fash of recognition, and he saw she knew.
will you take me into the conserva-
tory, Mr.. Landeck? 1t is so warm here"
They left the ballroom and strolled
under the domed glass where the palms
and lilies grew.
lyon have not forgotten, them" 1t
was his voice, low and tremulous, which
broke the silence.
mo; nor you, it seems"
There are moments in a mans life
which he never fOrgets. That was one
of them. Do you know l have often
wondered whether we should ever meet
again, but l dared not indulge a hope
until this evening, when for the first
time l learned your name. Miss Ferris,
shall we sit down for awhile? Wait, let
me fix that cushion for you. l am very
grateful for this opportunity of speaking
to you alone. want-I want to return
to you, with many thanks, the-the gift
YOU gave me five years ago, All, don't