San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-04-05
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II, of the silken draneries giving her O
! feeling of confidence.
In the hall she encountered tall
young footman with a tea tray, and
although he bowed quickly and
stepped aside she noticed that he shot
at her a glance of lively curiosity
She had no time to speculate on is,
however, for Therese had thrown open
a door at the end Of the hall and
announced:
''Mees Alva, madame"
The room was large but the we'll
spaced groups of mauve-upholstere
chairs and divans and odd little tables
gave it an air of cosiness which was
enhanced by the warm glow of candle
light, for the curtains had been drawn.
A tiny fire was lighted. too, on the
hearth, and Mrs. Copeland was seated
before it in a deep chair.
She moved slightly as though to
rise and then sank back again, biting
her lip.
"Come in, Ava" She tried to
speak carelessly but there was a
strained edge to her tone. "Your
Cousin Wheeler is here"
A slim, elegant figure in the snap
piest of clothes had risen and stepped
forward with both hands outstretched.
Feeling very much as though she were
in play Sallie moved slowly for
ward to meet him.
"My dearest girl.' His voice had
a flip quality that went with the smirk
he had worn in the picture but he
wasn't smiling now. Underneath his
effusiveness he was plainly i'll at ease.
Il am so glad that you are better. ]
could scarcely wait to see you"
Sallie gave him one of her hands
apd replied coolly: Thanks" Her
own nerve was strengthened by the
momentary embarrassment of these
two and she withdrew her hand and
sailed on past him with her small nose
in the cir. .
"Alva, your were given Wheeler's
roses, weren't your Mrs. Copeland
spoke with a note of reproof. Come
and sit down, my dear"
"No, she shall sit here by me on
the davenport" Wheeler Sloat had
recovered from his temporary rebuff
and followed but Sallie took the chair
which Mrs. Copeland had indicated.
She knew that they were both looking
at her appraisingly and glancing up
she caught the quick flash of congrat-
ulation which passed between them.
"Oh, yes, the roses!' Sallie turned
smile. 1--WE been told, too, that I've
got you to thank for saving my life"
"Not at all! 1t was nothing-I
mean, that any man."
He paused, for Sallie gave a little
gurgle of laughter. She was commenc-
ing to enjoy Cousin Wheeler.
Il believe your She hoped he got
her meaning. You must have kept
your wits about you pretty well in
that wreck J"
"Don't let us talk about i" Mrs.
Copeland murmured. "The shock
Come in, Fitch. Wheel the wagon
over here, please"
Out of the tail of her eye Sallie saw
the tall young footman enter with the
tea-tray and proceed to arrange its
contents on a little wheeled table
which he rolled across to Mrs. Cope
lands side. Then at whispered word
from her he withdrew but not before
he had glanced once more covertly in
Sallie's direction.
81 received a letter from your
grandmother's secretary today" Mrs.
Copeland announced as she busted her
self with the tea-things. "She will
be able to return very soon now and
she is more than anxious to see you"
So she had grandmother. too
Sallie accepted the cup which Wheeler
Sloat proffered and slipped her tea
reflectively. They were slipping her
some more information; surely they
knew there was nothing wrong with
her memory, especially after that
crack to the nurse about-her identity !.
81 had forgotten all about my grand
mother" The third cup of tea within
an hour palled upon her and Sallie
placed il on a small table near. "There
seems to be a whole lot of things /
don't remember"
"You will when you are reminded
of them. Alva." Wheeler Sloat re-
marked smoothly. 'It's so many years
since you have seen grandmother that
she can't be anything but name to
you now. but I've been with her a
great deal, you know. She is really re-
markable for her age, isn't she Aunt
Flo"
quite" Mrs. Copeland agreed but