San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-05-05
AN UNBIASED OPINION.
What Paul Meredith Thought OF
His Wife's Book.

The clock striking seven in sharp,
short notes brought the eager and on
one side excited conference in the
| cleaning to an abrupt end.
"Oh" The exclamation came from
the younger of the two women sitting
| in front of the fire. She rose to her
feet suddenly, and there was sound
| of perturbation in her voice. Seven
o'clock already! How the time has
flown! Margaret, you are an angel to
have listened to me so patiently. L
must GO shall be very late as it is. :"
You will have hanson, Flora,
won't you?"
Flora, busy buttoning up her ulster
and pinning on her veil, shook her
head.
81 always consider it special dis
pensation from Providence that l
should have been attacked by what l
call my cab nervousness at this partic-
ular time" She gave little sigh that
was so very little that it would have
escaped most people. 1t did not escape
the woman opposite. Il often think of
the days when l used to grumble at
having to go out with grannie shut up
in the brougham, and somehow the
memory of that brougham always
comes back to me, Margaret, when l
am packed into an omnibus on q wet
day with an eXtra-sized fat person
squeezed in on my side. The irony of
fate, l suppose"
1T was very nice brougham," the
other woman said meditatively. She
was careful to keep every suggestion
of sympathy out of her voice.
Eyes, wasn't it? What would give
to have that dear old carriage now to
pack Paul in in the winter mornings
and let him go to his work in comfortr'
"Well, If you cannot have the old
days back, with their old and many
comforts, who knows what luxuries
may not lie before you in the future?
Just think how we'll you have COM
menced"
1T is not easy to realize all at
once" Flora Meredith answered, a
little unsteadily. And, oh! Mar
garet, whatever comes, owe it all to
you; yes, all-for l should never have
dreamed of trying to do all l have done
if you had not been so good to me and
helped me and encouraged me as you
have done If you could only know
how grateful amF'
my dear, you will certainly be very
late if you don't make a start" Mar
garet Lloyd said, hurriedly. Il only
wish you could stay and spend the even
ing with me, but I don't fancy Paul
would find that an agreeable arrange
| ment."
st is his busy night he does not
really want me, but"
"Oh! you need not continue" Miss
Lloyd interrupted, laughingly. Good
by, dear little Flora You cannot
imagine how honestly delighted I am
at your successful start"
Flora stopped to give her friend a
kiss
And yet they say that women are
full of jealousy" she said. She sent
another smile, whose brightness was
not dimmed or spoiled, though her eyes
were wet with tears
"Good-by, dear Margaret; and if
you want to have pleasant dream
think of the hope and the happiness
you have put into my life by helping
me to be a help to Others"
Her husband was fortunately not
at home when Flora arrived breath
less and very wet, and she was able tC
get into her coy teagown before the
sound of stopping hanson proclaimed
that he was returned. She ran down
stairs to help him off with his coat, and
gave him the welcome that was so ap
parent in her eyes and in the sound OF
her voice.
Mr.. Meredith was slightly cross, but
he returned his wife's greeting warm
ly, NEVERTHELESS.
Hurry up with the dinner, Flora,
he said as he vanished into his dress
ing-room- Il had a miserable lunch
and have at least four hours hare
work before me tonight"
"Poor Paul" Flora said, softly. She
did all he asked in her accustomed
pretty way, and by and by she fount
herself standing in front of the dining
? room fire, her eyes fixed, with q curl
osity and eagerness that was almos
, painful, upon the bulky brown parce
that lay on the sideboard, having beef
! brought home in the hanson will
| Paul IF it should be there" she salt
? to herself, breathlessly, and then tn
[ color flashed into her interesting fac
. and her eyes grew soft and beautiful
, as she thought of q certain strip of vel
low paper hidden away in her oil
I jewel-case upstairs, which paper Dor
] an inscription that was to Flora tn
s most wonderful, the sweetest inscrir
ton in the world 1t was only an ord
> nary check, made payable to order, 70
the sum of ten guineas, but it repre-
sented a whole world of hope, Of SUI
D cess-of future fame and fortune-t
J the girl to whom it had come.
She beFa wondering, with a thril
of neryop Jess mingling in with he
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