San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-09-19

that failed and she grew to be in the
way, quarrel must be fastened on her
which would drive her away.
She was not long making her deci-
sion, and she went back and sat down
again, close to the old lady, though not
in the same chair she had sat in before.
If she was to win, it would be by her
wits and not by her witchery.
''If you reject my love, then" she
said, chow are we to stand toward one
another? You have scarcely thought
what the effect of your words must be
ON me, You make me feel that am
something like an interloper in my hus-
bands home and to Jaffray's mother.
Is that what you mean? Do you wish
me to be uncomfortable at the thought
that am not Beryl LEICESTER and that
/ did not steel my heart against your
son as his mother had steeled hers
against me?"
II have not steeled my heart against
you, Lola. God forbid that should do
anything SO wicked. / have tried TO
open it to you"
And you have failed. That is even
harder to bear still. will tell you
why. have never had a woman friend
in all my life except my Aunt Villyers
and the woman who is not loved by
woman grows hard. Still. let it be as
you will. l am no pleader for the inn
possible. You tell me in signs that are
palmer than words that you cannot love
me, and remember that it is you who
have laid the foundations Of what may
be wall of division between us. Re-
member, too, that gave you my word
would never marry your son unless
you yourself said yes. Never forget
that, whatever may come. You say it
is hard for the old to pluck from the
heart a cherished desire. But it is
harder for one like me to step out from
the heaven which the love of such a
man as Jaffray opened to me- Yet this
would have done had you hidden me,
as l pledged you.
Then, with aswift change of manner,
as though carried away by one of her
uncomfortable impulses. Lola threw
herself on her knees at Lady Walcote's
feet, seized her hand and pressed it be-
tween her own and looked with tear
touched eyes into her face as she said:
Cannot our love for him and his
love for us make us one, mother? Think
how it would sweeten his life!"
1t was the shrewdest of all pleas,
and, as once before it had prevailed. so
now it wrought powerfully on the
mothers heart.
She bent and kissed Lola on the lips.
her own quivering slightly.
"You are right, child" she muir
INJURED. awe should be held together in
his love- Forgive me if have panied
you"
While they We're in the act Of the en-
brace the door was opened quickly by
Sir Jaffray. He stood on the threshold
right we'll pleased with what he saw,
for his great desire was that his mother
and Lola should be ON the closest terms
Not wishing to disturb them, he was
going away without word when Lola
called him. She was quick to see the
desirability of getting confirmed in his
presence what Lady Walcote had said.
Come TO the mother, Jaffray," she
said, land hear what we have been do
ing. We have just been concluding a
great treaty of love and peace. Give me
your hand. "
She laughed very softly and sweetly,
while her eyes shone brightly with the
light of happiness, and holding one of
the mothers hands in hers and taking
one of Sir Jaffray's she placed all three
in one clasp
Now we are all unconventional peo-
pie, thinking of nothing but our three
selves, and we two, the mother and /,
have made a great compact that the
love we both bear you and the love you
bear to both of us are to bind us together
always in a love for each other. Kiss
us both, Jaffray, in witness of it all,
and then let us all three promise to do
whatever lies in our power to make
that compact the chief cornerstone of
our lives. Is not that right, mother"
Sir Jaffray stopped and kissed them
both.
Its the best news you could give
me. mother" be said when he kissed
Lady Walcote "You know that And
the earnestness of his tone proved to
her what he felt.
at is true, Jaffray," she said. ut
shall be so with me.
Then Lola, knowing that if the scene
lasted moment too long its sentiment
would be spoiled, jumped up quickly
and said lightly:
"Now, we can be again the great peo-
pie of Walcote manor, who ought not
to be troubled with hearts and feelings
and passions Sir Jaffray," she cried,
assuming very grand air, will you
give me your arm? 1 will take the air
in the park. We will leave the lady
mother to her thoughts.
Come ON, Lola" cried the baronet,
and they went out of the room togeth
er, laughing.
And the chief thoughts of the ''lady
mother" were that her sons wife was