San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-07-07
CHAPTER XVII


ments such as may be found in almost
any large dwelling built 40 or so years
ago. 1t was plainly carpeted, without
any pictures on the walls, with stove
at one side, q number of chairs and .
long fat table, which stood between the
two windows, beyond which, had not the
shades been lowered. would have seen
some of the trees in the rear Of the
yard
On this table were a number of ves-
sells, mostly Of glass, retort, several
lars, walls, small delicate tools and fully
o dozen little contrivances the like Of
which l had never seen, and which I
will not attempt to describe, except to
say they were constructed Of glass Some
were spiral in form. while others had
odd, twisted shapes evidently under
stood only by the persons who had
brought them thither and made use of
them
The room was closed so as 10 permit
no ventilation. The heato of the stovo in
tensified a peculiar. subtle perfume,
which, at first pleasant, after time be-
came nauseating.
knew when turned the knob Of tho
door that some one was within did
not believe it was Mr. Howard, for
had seen him leave the railway station
several hours before Therefore, when
l almost collided with his wife. was
nerved for it. She was standing in the
room, near the door which pushed
quickly inward, and confronted me with
the question:
"Well, sir, what do you want?s
Jove! WASH t she beauty? had seen
her before. and, as l have said, was
braced for the meeting but when look
ed at that superb figure. with the match
less black eyes, abundant hair. olive
complexion, perfect features. small
white teeth and fascinating form, was
almost overwhelmed.
could well understand how almost
any man would have been overcome BY
such vision and would drop his weap-
ons as if in the preseTce Of death itself
Surely she must han made many con-
quests by the very momentum Of her
marvellous beauty. which was sufficient
to make a man forget ty, honor-ey1n
erything but his mad l. tbrallmept ia
her.
/ stood minute, 81
with open mouth and
and then could no mo1
words than could stoI
Heavens. l never :
a womanH
Idiot, you have n
question:" she said in
which ought to have s
floor, though kept my
US stirred, but in the
ment i was conscious
had closed the door ba
alone in the presence
fury, and duty whispe
Have care or you
By supreme effor
together. twas usele
this being, tor she had
shrank or faltered, she
Behind that regal I'd
mystery of Mana 81
naught but boldness,
mercilessness, would d
minute was myself
Madam, said, witt
an officer Of the law You
Mrs. Bridges my Grand
But it was lie!' she
a sweep Of her right arm a
ward. Leave this instant,
the worse for your
This threat AID tho b.
nervcd me still more strocSiy
calm, cool, self possessed, q
slant
II will leave when an
with the bCsineSs which brouA
here and not one second before
and your husband and all the miscrel
from India cannot compel mo lam a
ed and will defend myself even aga
your
Strange words to utter TO a won
whose strength could not have surpaV
that of child A strong man like
ought to have been abashed at the soy
of his own voice when they were
ken, but was in for it and meaIh
maintain bold front to the end
That my reply was unexpecteX
shown by her manner. She neYfr
moved those piercing eyes from ne, an
once believed, when saw the delicate
fingers pervously working, THAT she
meant to leap at my throat. hdbreath-
ed short and fast, but did not change
her superb poise.
Pray be seated, added with as
sumed courtesy, as placed my hand ON
the back Of the nearest chair and set it
down beside her. with your permits
sion will do the same ! wish few
words with you.
My own chair was placed so close to
the door that had / inclined it to the
rear it would have rested against 1t
sat down with my hat in my lap and
looked expeotantly at her
She did not stir muscle, but remain
ed like a statue. and it seemed that the