The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-05-09
LOVE CoNoUERs.
Br THE AUTHOR or "DoRA TtoRNE,"
ga ROSE IN 1uORNs," ETC.



reached home. No surprise was cx pressed
In Sir Rayo's household when hc brought
home with him youth who seemed to
take the place Of an adopted son. Sir
Kaye never did the same ~ other people.
lie was n genius; therefore IL was impOs-
sible for him 10 marry aud he happy, or to
have n sou; he must, just because he was
genius, love uuhappiiy, and adopt some
one else's child.
Lulworth was a 'reyolation" TO Vanc
Fraser; he had never dreamed Of such a
place. IL was magnificent old country
mansion with oaken floors, Oricl windows,
corridors rs large as rooms, stately towers,
ivy-clad turrets, and grand terraces that
slopcd down to gardens filled with flowers;
q mansion with an old-fashionod charm
about 1t, yet furnished with modern luxu-
~; and this superb abode, was hencefOr-
ward 10 be the abode Of the boy who had
nothing " distinguish him save genius.
No wonder that he was little dazcd by
his good fortune, and considered IL grand
thing to be a genius.
Sir Raye was delighted with his protc-
60. The boy was soon quite at homo In
the midst OF his luxurious surrounding;
by no word or gesture did he betrsy him.
self; ho was quick and keen, and ho
waited always to sec first what Sir Kaye
did at table, then he Initiated him. Before
week had passed, Vane knew rs much
OF table etiquette as though he had lived
at Lulworth all his life; tho consequence
was that in no way did his behavior jar
upon Sir Rayo, who was ono Of the most
fastidious Of men.
Two pleasant rooms were set apart for
Vane's use, and the privilege no valued
nj In Sir nu at "a To-
en- TO him. He made wonderful progress,
rs his patron had foreseen he had already,
In his studies at home, mastered many OF
the rudiments Of knowledge. After a few
lessons and little patient teaching from
Sir Rayo he became Of the greatest assist
ance to his master. II pleased Sir Raye
TO see the thoughtful head bont over pa
pors, plans, and designs Of all kinds--Vsno
was so much like himself, so silent at his
work, so absorbed In IL, never interrupt
ing 1t by an idle or careless word.
"You arc more like hermit at his de-
votions than a student at his lessons, ;" said
Sir Raye to him one day.
Aftor timo he began to take keen de-
light In the work Of his protcge.
"Give me your notion, Vanc, of bridge
that should span 4 river, with hills on ell
Their bank" or show mo something original
in the shape Of a pier that is 10 run half a
mile out to sea-" And then with proud
delight ho would examine his pupils
sketch.
"You will be moro clever some day,
Vane, than have ever BEEN" he said to
him one morning.
al shall owe everything TO you, sir"
was the grateful reply.
The year following, when tho pressure
of businpsa hal I'm sante maasura .hafaI
Sir Raye resolved to take his protege for a
Continental tour. Nothing, he was OF
opinion, would educate him one half so
quickly. lie would let him see some OF
the greatest bridges of the world, bridges
that had been built IN spite OF almost In
surmountable difticulties-let him see the
triumphs OF science, and how men could
bring the very elements under CONTROL
The greater part Of year was spent In
travelling about, and they saw nearly ev-
cry engineering work of magnitude.
When Vane returned with his patron to
Lulworth, he WAS only nineteen years Of
age, but lie was man. A fair moustacho
shaded the sensitive mouth, the cluster OF
fair hair had grown deeper In color, the
tall slender figure had In it tho grace and
strength of manhood, and his manners
were perfect. lie was grave, kindly, and
courteous, deferential to all women, pleas
ant to all men. Although only nineteen,
the world had begun TO talk about him.
He had taken u warm interest in connect
ing England and France by means OF a
tunnel under tho sea; he had pondered IL,
studied 1t, and layishod skill and genius
on ii; and ono morning the scientific world
was taken by surprise, for pamphlet APP
peared called "Tho Best and Safest Way
IN Erunna ITnHar
brochure made him famous. Every one
had asked who had written It, and tho
answer was, "Young Wharf" No ono
mentioned that no was only an adopted
son of Sir Raye's, and the world in general,
careless enough, never stopped TO inquire /;
30 that the general impression was that tho
rising genius Of the day, "young Wharf"
was the son Of the famous Sir Raye. or
the thousands who read his book, not more
than twenty know that he was not the
real son Of the master OF Lulworth.
"Your way In life lies straight before
you, Vane," said his patron; ait will be
one quick march on to victory. You could
do without me now, but | could never
again live without you-without my adopt
! cd son-neyer again."
When nattering notices and honors were
lavished upon Vane, Sir Raye gave him
one more piece Of advice.
"The world is ready enough to fattor
you, and to welcome you with open arms.
Fight shy Of it for time; keep to study
and work. You will have invitations hore
and there, first to one great house, and
then to another; refuse them one and all.
The proper time in which man should
work is youth; rest and age should como
together"
During all this time Vane had been home
twice-once before he went abroad, and
once after his return. Everything was
Unchanged 1t seemed almost incredible
that the homoly farmer, with his rugged
face, brown hands and working clothes,
should be the father Of the handsome dis
tinguished-looking man whose face was
stamped with genius. 1t seemed incon-
gruous, and father and son both felt II to
be so; and thus there was a strange awk-
wardness and GOODNESS between them.
The mothers heart broke down all bar
riers. Let her son be twenty times gen.
tleman, still he was her son, and she should
love him just as she did when he was a
child. There was no awkwardness, no re-
straint with her; she admired him, and
told him so. She thought him the most
handsome, the most distinguished, the
greatest genius In the whole world. To
her wondering eyes there was no one like
him. She had nothing but the warmest
love and the most profound admiration for
him.
Vne found his sister growing into one
of the most beautiful girls imaginable.
Desford was as usual.
The young man had not gone home
empty-handed. He had spent much mon-
ey In presents. Not one member OF the