San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-11-01
JUST AS SHE WAS.
By WILLIAM PERRY BROWN
Copyright, 1893, by American Press Associa-
tiOn.l

copyright, 1893 by American Press Associa-
toni
Stella. botn shocked and plying, bent
over the girl. Mrs. Tolliver began to-
hunt for reStoratives.
"Arizony," said Miss Oberly, Il wish
| could say something that would make
you feel better.
"Burl was good to me-" sobbed the
girl Maybe he did do wrong things
but-but he loved me. Oh, miss! oh
miss! I'm so miserable"
The old minister laid his hand upon
Arizony's head and looked into her eyes
as if what he saw there was bringing to
memory the features of his own dead
wife.
"Wen go back" said he soothingly:
well go back to old Virginny. She
was always a-wishin for you to come
back"
A silence ensued that was broken only
by fitful sobbings as the girl gradually
grew calm. Philip, moving to Stella's
side, furtively claSped her hand. Out.
side the prisoners were sullenly march
ing away to the distant guardhouse. In
the east, over the melancholy prairie,
lowered the promise of another day, for
the dawn was breaking.
At last Parson Tilney. as if repeating
the echo of his own thought, bent his
| head again.
I'VE will go back to Virginny," he
said. 1T was your mothers wish, Ari-
| zony."
The girl looked up.
Whenever you wish, father" she
murmured. I've got no call to stay ON
here now"
One day several months later Parson
! Tilney returned from the little country
postoffice near his Virginia mountain
| home with letter in his hand. AriZOny
was seated in the doorway. A fresh col
| or was in her cheeks, and she seemed to
be once more the saucy, jovial ArizOny
| of old as she sprang up and flew down
| the path to meet the old man.
The reception of letter was an I'M
! usual event in their now quiet lives
Its postmarked at Washington, said
he, holding out the missive. Il hain't
much of a hand at readin writin, but
they lowed it was to you, ArizOny.'
She felt of the envelope, then scanned
it critically.
There's something hard and stiff in
side" she remarked in a reflective way.
Il wonder what it can be-"
Suddenly she clapped her hands.
Il know, father" she cried. Cant
you remember who lives at Washing
TOM"
The parson sagely remarked that he
had no doubt there was a many one"
lived there if all he had heard was true.
For instance, there's the president
howee! Amt they beauties, child
This sudden change in the drift of 1fr.
Tilney's remark was brought about by
the sight of two deliberately engraved
cards and photograph. Upon one was
stated that Lieutenant and Mrs. Stirling
would be lat home" to their friends on
Tuesday afternoons.
Well" said the parson, I'D stay to
home more'n one day in the week, even
II ulu I'VE III w dSulllS IOu.
The other card bore the announce
ment of Miss Oberly's marriage. The
picture was one of her and her husband
An accompanying note informed an
zony that the contents were sent with
much love and also contained kindly
invitation to visit them as soon as POS
sible.
Over this last request the parson grew
reflective.
1T would be grand thing for you,
Arizony," said he But I'm afeard you
might not want to come back"
BLESS your dear heart don't in
tend to go. Of course it's mighty kind
for them grand folks to make out like
they want to see me once more, but
know mother would rather staid with
you"
So she remained, and Mr.. Tilney was
happy. AS a kind of atonement she hung
the photograph in place Of honor over
the fireplace and spent a laborious hour
or two in inditing an i'll spelled yet APP
proprlate reply, which the parson with
considerable formality mailed the very
next day.