San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-04-17
CHAPTER As

At half-past IL the following morn
ing, Mary waited in the garden of
the hacienda. while the doctors in Lu-
elias room upstairs were taking off
the bandageS. :.
Bees hummed among the flowers.
The scents of summer drifted, poign-
antly sweet. Then a call came, sharp,
staccato.
Mary hurried towards the house,
prayer for poor Luella on her lips.
Go in" The nurse was beckonins
to her.
Mary crossed the threshold OF
Luella's room, afraid what she might
The doctors stood beside the bed.
Luella was propped up on the pillows,
a hand-mirror held before her face.
Now, here's your friend, DEAR" said
the nurse.
Luella dropped the mirror and Mary
her breath catching in her throat
saw that only the girls neck and n
portion of her chin were SCARED and
that her features were as delicately
lovely as before.
"Oh, Mary, I can see. And I'm.
still quite pretty, don't you Think"
she cried in a quavering but exultant
voice. with the fashionable high
collars or fur, no one need see my
neck" Her voice broke. She sud
denly held out her arms to Mary For
rest. And the two girls wept together.
Half an hour later Miss Lucia Lo-
der-in a fluffy negligee of pale pink
satin with an ostrich feather ruching
high IN TO her chin-awaited the arri
val of John Rogers, like a little en-
press.
Il do look prettT. don't 7. Mary?
You said he'd be here at l. o'clock
today? He was utterly overcome, was
he, when you told him of my-my
accident" She held the mirror to her
face at various angles.
He was thoroughly upset.. said
Mary Forrest. "But-Luella-you
don't care for him."
Hin. HIM. Until his wife ap-
peared in Nassau, l was-sort Of keen
about him." confessed the invalid.
And think of his money. Mary. Why.
he could buy mp this whole estate. |
do believe. and never miss the price
Of it,"
A hope-a pulsing hope whose throb
she tried 10 crush immediately-rosc
in the heart of Mary Forrest. She
must not let it master her. And so
she said:
Il think Philip Andover is down on
the plantation. Shall 90 and fetch
him before Mr.. Rogers comes?"
Luella pouted.
No. He can wait. One at time
is plenty" Then, eagerly: Look
out of the window and see if you can
see John Rogers yet"
I'm LittS Sister Anne" said
Mary. with n laugh whose gaiety sur.
prised herself.
The nurse came in. Mary slipped
out 10 the garden.
Then she saw Philip Andover ap-
preaching from the direction of the
tobacca fields.
She ran 10 give him the good news
Does Luella want me TO 20 up.
right away?" His young face was
flushed and awkward.
She's expecting Mr.. Rogers. She
said-she said that one at n time was
enough for her."
They both looked at each other sud
denly and laughed.
Mary" said Philip, reaching out q
hand and taking hers. I've a bunch
that everything is going to turn out
somewhat good for you and me. Now
that Luella's got her health and sight
and looks back, and Rogers money is
coming post-hGste towards her, don't
you think"
We mustn't think vet, Philip. It's
too soon She left her hand in his
warm clasp. however, little thrills OF
hone EMBEDDING her.
They stood there in the garden, talk
ing earnestly together. So engaged
were they with one another that they
failed TO see John Rogers Fastening
up the avenue.
The nurse met him. giving him the
news. A vast relief overspread his
countenancp.
THANK God" He mopped his fore
head. There aren't many girls with
her good looks"
Their meeting was dramatic. He
had brought diamond ring with him.
and without awaiting her consent he
slipped ii quickly on Luella's finger.
"Oh. John! How exquisite" Light
was refracted in the facets Of tho
jewel, and It blazed an icy blue, and
then q dazzling white.
You aren't going to get away from
me again. Tn" past is all forgiven
and forgotten, isn't it, Luella girl!"
He glanced down at the black band on
his arm. Her gaze followed his.
BUTTS too soon" She
thought of Philip. That blazing dia-
mond on her finger made his image
fade considerably.
e can't wait any Longer The Aus