San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-01-28
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
By EFFIE W. MERRIMAN.
copyright, 1885, by the Author.l
CHAPTER J.
CONTINUED from yesterdays issueI

Continued from Yesterdays lSSueI
It was worse-a hundred times worse
than his worst fears had pictured. Tom
could scarcely suppress groan. He fel:
himself growing pale to the lips, when
he heard his name spoken in a soft
voice and realized that Sander had intro
duced him to the woman who held his
written prop JsaL He stammered some
thing by way of reply to her greeting
and mentally vowed to break off the en-
gagement if it cost him every cent he
had in the world. He told himself that
beggary was preferable to being seen
for three long years in company with
such a nightmare of femininity. But he
must not be rash. He had just sense
enough left to realize that. There were
two ways of doing everything, and he
was noted for always finding the pleas
anter. He allowed Sander to escort
Daisy to the waiting room, and, al
though he walked beside her, he tried
to appear more like an acquaintance of
the lady than her promised husband.
Arrived in the waiting room, he muir
INJURED something about being very sor-
ry, but most pressing engagement
81 saw that man for you this morn
ing, Tom" interrupted Sander, with
determined expression ON his happy
face. 81 told him you had a previous
engagement, which you had doubtless
forgotten, and that he need not expect
you until later in the day.
"Ahl HIM, ahem! Much obliged,
I'm sure," stammered Tom. He saw
that Sander understood his little dodge
and also that he would brook no trif1ing.
Don't mention it" replied Sander
cheerfully. "I'll go out to see if the
carriage is ready, You bring Daisy in
the course of five minutes. 1 suppose
you will be glad of an opportunity to
be alone with her."
Sander bowed gracefully and left
them together. Tom felt that Daisy was
scrutinizing him sharply, but that did
not disturb him so much as the fact
that he was also subject to the scrutiny
of several Of his friends. Whatever hap
pened, he must not let them see that he
was not entirely satisfied. He must ap-
pear SO well pleased with his companion
that they would not dare to mention
her in his presence. Giving himself
mental shake, he managed to smile into
her specialized eyes as he asked her II
she were ready to go to the carriage.
He gave her his arm, escorting her with
Of, tf cha had haaT, a
queen, but he did not fail to hear the
half suppressed litter that followed him
from the room. 1t almost unnerved him.
The carriage was at the door, but San
der was not to be seen. The small boy
whom he had hired to hold the horse
told Tom that Mr.. Ridgway had gone
to see that man whom Mr.. Wainwright
was to meet at this hour, thinking there
might have been a misunderstanding.
A naughty word came close against
Toms smiling lips, but he did not al
low it to escape. He handed his COM
panion into the carriage, tucked the
robes around her so carefully that much
of her Objectionable dress of bright
green was concealed, took the reins and
the whip and drove toward the house
where Sander lived with his mother at
a rate of speed which was, to say the
least, extremely reckless. Miss Marga-
ret was obliged to give her whole at
tention to an effort to keep her seat,
and conversation between herself and
her companion did not become intense
ly interesting.
Good Mrs. Ridgway was watching
for them and came to the door to well
come her niece.
Chow unusually we'll you are look
ing, my dearp' she exclaimed, and once
more Tom groaned under his breath.
If she looked better than usual now, he
thought, what must she be like in
normal condition?
"I shall not invite you in now, Mr..
Wainwright, added Mrs. Ridgway,
"for want Daisy all to myself for a
little while. You may come later. "
"She will soon tire of me" said
Daisy, smiling at Tom with an aban-
donment of sentimental gush that set
his teeth ON edge. at doesn't seem to
take any one long to tire of me, she
added plaintively "You can't think
how nice it seems to be bound to some
one who is as glad to devote himself to
me as am to have him. "
Tom bowed and tried to smile. He
could not say a word. He did not know
which he wanted most-to commit sui
eide or murder.
"Tire of ',er p he thought as he went
toward his room. 81 don't see how any
one can help it who has eyes and ears. "
Going to his rooms, Tom found San
der comfortably ensconced in his favor
lite easy chair.
Thought I'd make myself at home,