San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-11-15

tOWdIu liCt, anu WltIOut SpcdhluS
a word he struck the girl smash
ing blow in the face. She dropped
instantly, all in heap. One hand
went to her bruised cheek and she
moaned
"Catherine!" said the masked
man, raising his voice.
Out of the fitfully-lit chaos of
tables, benches, straw-litter and
seated figures beyond the hearth
glare, dishevelled, dark woman
came slowly.
Catherine, give the young lady
seated upon the three-legged stool
somethin.; to eat"
His information was ironic. He
turned and sat down himself upon
a bench, playing with a relocated
monkey that crept out from be-
meath it. The background was the
confused and general noise of the
Thieves Kitchen. No one had
paid any attention to the scream
ing voice of the splendid, auburn
haired vixen, or to the blow that
had muted her. She nursed her
cheek, making low sounds that
were like a dog growing in his
sleep.
Catherine filled a wooden bowl
from the stewpot and gave it to
Sidonia with piece of bread.
"Who is he?" asked the witch's
daughter in a low voice, looking
toward the masked man. She had
been too hungry to care much
what happened before the food
was given to her, and now the
pleasure of eating robbed her of
any qualms. The spiced wine, too,
had assisted to translate her into
region of confidence. Her head
swain llIllc IIOHi
Hes the Master"
as that his name?"
"They all call him that"
"Does he live here?"
mo. No one knows where he
lives"
Sidonia, warmed by the meat
and onion stew, considered this.
as she his woman?" She indi-
Gated the sloven beauty with the
marred face.
"He has favored Sylvane for a
month. Sylvane was angry be-
cause she feared that he would
now favor YOU"
At this Sidonia looked quickly
at the masked mantle Master.
He was teasing the coated monkey,
which showed its teeth at him in a
scowl that was both human and
animal. His long hands were
beautiful. The Unfortunately lengthy
point of his hood fell over one
shoulder and dripped nearly to the
floor. He was finely built and the
fire-red drenched his black habili-
ments. The horrid pain of loss
returned upon the girl. The young
man, beneath whose lips her own
lips had parted like breaking
seal, had been caught back to
heaven. Why should perfect hap
piness be so short? Like sudden
light when a door is opened; like
a mouthful of wine swallowed.
Her whole self rebelled.
The dark young woman, Gather
inc, had lapsed right down beside
the three-legged stool in the glare
of the hearth. der eyes were tired
and looked older than her age.
Her mouth dropped. Her soul
brooded motherwise on the thought
of her mana bully and gambler,
who relied upon her earnings to
recoup his losses at play. Her life
had not been frustrated; she loved
like faithful dog.
Through the continuous babble
of the Thieves Kitchen cut
sharp, lifting strain. Francis the
risen up in the pulsing
torch and hearth light, was playing
with sort of fury. His face was
intent. with rather the look of a
serious boy.
"Make room!
"Now Wen see who's too drunk
to dancer
Tables and benches were thrust
back. A fat man fell to the floor
and wallowed there. Couples be-
gan to shuttle and stamp and jog
their feet scuffling on the
straw.
The Master stood up, lifting the
monkey to his shoulder,
where it chung.
Sylvane bestirred herself. She
was upon her feet again. She
drew close to the Master, her tar
nished blue and silver dress, with
hanging sleeves. cut low like a
great lady's. He did not look at
her. She caught his arm.
"Get outr' he said CURLY.
Sylvane threw back her tawny
head and laughed
"Come here, sweeting" called
someone from the Pickering weller
of the crowded, torch-lit cellar
And then she was dancing with n