San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-01-27

Iore ner twenty-slxth birthday. She is
81 now and has property enough to en-
able her to take care of herself, so she
cares nothing for the maiden's pay day.
think she would like an escort who
would not trouble her with a lovers
opportunities and who would act as a
shield between herself and possible
lovers"
"It will do no harm to propose. at
any rate.
Tom wrote the letter, as his friend
had suggested, sealed it carefully, ad-
dressed it to Miss Margaret Blake and
gave it to Sander to deliver. Sander in
closed it in one giving full particulars,
and in due time Tom received the fol-
lowing reply.
Mr.. Tom Wainwright:
DEAR SIR have Just finished reading your
proposal and my cousins pleasant account OF
You, which he was so good as to send with the
proposal. In reply, will say that agree to
consider myself your betrothed for period Of
three years and TO release You at the end Of
that time, provided you conduct yourself dur
ing that time as a gentleman should toward
the lady whom he esteems highly, but does
not expect to marry. / do not IKE endear-
ments, but understand that society is some
what exacting in regard to the Behavior Of en-
gagged people, and l shall try to so condr t
myself that we may not be commented upon.
/ can see that you would prefer not to have 1t
known that we are engaged simply for cen
venience. 1t will please me to have desirable
escort during my stay in town, and Cousin
Sander assures me that shall find you simply
perfect. ] wonder what he has told you about
me. That ! have an abominable temper,
presume. He considers that my chief charao-
teristic. Well, il is bad, but console yourself
with the thought that, SO far es / know, 1t In
the only fault havel And am not cross
when things go to suit me. If you prove o
satisfactory escort, presume you will never
know from experience that am not simply
angelica Yours truly, MARGARET BLAKE.
Tom found this letter quite satisfao-
tory and could hardly wait for the day
when he was to see Miss Margaret, or
Daisy, as her cousin called her and as
he liked to think of her. A number Of
his best friends knew of his good for
tune in finding charming girl who
was willing to be engaged to him for a
period of three years and to give him
his liberty at the end of that time.
"It WILL" he explained, mot deprive
me of my freedom in any sense Of the
term. In fact, it will give me greater
freedom. 1 can be pleasant with other
girls without their thinking that l am
making love, and even if i should fall
in love with one of them my engage
ment to Daisy will not prevent me from
explaining matters to the other girl and
declaring my sentiments.
1t was really quite a nice arrange
ment, and Tom would not have had
moments uneasiness before he met Miss
Margaret had he not overheard two of
his friends talking about him one day
at dinner.
II wouldn't have believed Tom
Wainwright would be so simple" said
one of them, las to go and engage him
self to girl whom he had never seen. "
HE depended upon Ridgway's judg-
ment, understand" replied the other.
But she is Ridgway's cousin, and
one is always blind to the defects of
ones relatives. Besides did you ever
know Ridgway to be acquainted with
any girl who was not charming? All
girls are alike in his eyes. He has no
more judgment than Hottentot."
"There is no one, ;" replied the other
speaker, whom ! would rather see
caught than Tom Wainwright. he is so
fastidiousl Think what it would mean
to him to be obliged to escort an ugly
woman for three long years and see
Sander walking away with pretty Alice
GriggsW