San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-09-26

mans cruel baseness In trading ON her
act. Her own high sense of honor and
her deep religious feeling accumulated
in her thoughts the sense of bitter de-
spair which she imagined must over
whelm Lola at being forced to admit
her crime and lose the man she loved
SO deeply or to go on living in what
was In truth a state of shame and sin.
Gradually a single resolve cleared it.
self in her thoughts.
She would make the man go away at
once-that very day, indeed-under
pain Of Sir Jaffray being told Of every
thing, and then she would determine
how to act in regard to Lola.
With this resolve she left her room
to seek M. Turrian and tell him what
she had decided. AS she was going
down stairs the luncheon gong sounded,
and thus she had to pass through the
ordeal of seeing the man whom she
knew on his own confession to be a
treacherous scoundrel eating and drink
ing and laughing and talking with the
chivalreus friend whom he was betray-
ing every moment that he staid in the
house. The mere sight of him sickened
her, and when he turned and spoke to
her and with his consummate audacity
rallied her upon her looks and hoped that
all he had said about his scheme had
not troubled her she could scarcely re-
main at the table.
He perceived this, and with bis dar-
ing effrontery dropped little hints and
innuendoes as il challenging her to
speak.
As soon as the lunch was over, how
ever, she followed him and said she
must speak to him alone.
He turned willingly and instantly,
with his false, mocking, ever ready
smile ON his face.
'Shall we 60 to the conservatory
again?" he asked. cit is an excellent
place for these touching little con-
f1dences. I declare I am almost glad of
them. They let me see so much Of you. "
Anywhere will do for the few
words have to say, /" returned Beryl
angrily. ''It is this: Unless you leave
Walcote manor within an hour Sir Jaf-
fray will know all. I"
"Yes?" he answered, raising his eye
brows. well, I am sorry for my poor
friend, then. It will be blow to him,
and he will feel il. For shall not go,
Miss Leycester. i can't make any plau-
sible excuse. But this will do. if you
like-I will go tomorrow morning"
~ will give you till 10 o'clock to-
morrow" said the girl, land not one
hour longer.
1T shall be as you willr' he ex-
claimed, and when Beryl turned on her
heel and left him without another word
he looked after her and muttered be-
tween his teeth: Twelve O'Clock to-
morrow. Between now and then there
is night. young lady, and for you a
long one, or ] am fool and coward. !"
Then he sauntered ON to the conserva-
tory by himself and smoked thoughtful
ly for some minutes. Afterward he went
out and walked round the house, look
ing at the position and height from the
ground of the bedroom windows in the
wing where he knew Beryl's room was,
and he was pleased with what he saw.
''It will do" he muttered. And now
there must be word or two with Sir
Jaffray's wife, She must take her part
in this scene, and she will want very
careful handling. Let me think it out q
bit"
he turned into a side path in the
grounds and walkel for some time,
plunged in close, concentrated thought.
When hereturned to the house, he had
his plan completed, and he went to find
Lola. In the hall he met Mrs. De Witt,
who assumed an air of disconsolate
trouble.
.'Where is everybody" she asked. 81
am all alone. Won't you take pity on
me, M. Turrianl'
where is Sir Jaffrayf" he asked,
wishing the woman at the bottom of
the sea
4 ''Sir Jaffray and Lola have gune out
riding. Sir Jaffray had sudden sum
mons to meeting of county folks about
some political business or other, and
A<Oih ues Iiuucu vi WIN ulLl. In6y TO
like couple Of ridiculous lovers in
their first calf love, those two. Isn't IL
absurd They must always be together. "
thine will change all that, said the
Frenchman. at is not the sort of folly
of which you would be guilty, ma
daine?"
"Do you mean that nastily?"
"No, indeed. But you know so well
how TO keep at a cool distance from
your admirers, even from your hus-
band" And he bowed. He felt vicious
at Lola's absence, and Mrs. De Wits
pertness irritated him.
"Men are like mites under the micro
scope, requiring to be kept at focus
distance"
Possibly, but be careful. The micro
scope may serve as the burning glass of
passion and warm them into life," he
answered insolently, looking at her
with an expression in his eyes which
made her flush. Come" he said, pass
ing his arm through hers and leading
her away to the music hall; "let me