The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-05-09

tHAi1IH v.
Ten years had passed since Sir Raye
Wharf had adopted the boy whose genius
had seemed to him too great to waste In
solitude; and he often said to himself that
Heaven had rewarded him for what he in-
tended to be u good deed. All over Eu-
rope the name VI Nane Wharf was well
known. There was no country In which
some Of his gigantic enterprises had not
succeeded. OF late years sll the work
had fallen into his hands. Sir Raye was
falling in health, and was paying the PEN
atty Of too much brain-work. by degrees
he put everything into the hands OF his
his young protcgc.
They were together ono morning in the
pretty breakfast-room at Lulworth Hall,
when the post-bag was brought In.
dread the letters, Nane," said Sir Rayc.
lie knew that In none Of them would
there be any secrets. The love Of woman
or child would never be aud had never been
for him.
"Read them, vane," he repeated.
Vane obeyed him. lie wadod through
q mass Of CORES experimentation In Ger
man, French, and Spanish. lie had spent
his leisure hours IN the study OF the mod
ern languages, aud had succeeded 80 well
that ho could write aud converse In most
OF them.
"A letter with a coronct," he said
"W HON can this he frUmi"
lie opened 1t, aud read II, all uncon.
scious that he held Ibis fate In his own
hands.
"Lord Audley Of Ulycrseroft," he said.
"Why, UlycrscrOft is In Surrey, Sir Raye,
is 1t notW
eyes. What does ho wanti" asked Sir
Raye.
"Tho river Ulycr runs through one part
OF his estate. II WAS not always n deep OF
. broad stream; but OF late 1t has deep
ened and widcned considerably. lie says
that the people used stepping-stones and
at times small fcrry-boat for crossing II;
but now those methods arc not available.
lie thinks It would add much to the value
Of his property II a light, pretty, orna-
mental bridge were thrown across the
river. lie writes also that, owing to the
shifting sand in the bed of the river, ho
thinks II will be by no means easy Of cx-
ecution. lie wishes you to go to Ulvers-
croft Hall and spend week with him
Then you can see for yourself what Is
best"
al am not well enough to go, Vane. My
strength IL falling. You must 20 for me.
Write to Lord Audley, aud tell him how
deeply regret that | cannot accept his
kind invitation, but that send a substl-
tute In YOU"
"Will he like III" asked vano half
doubtfully. al. seecms to wish for you"
ale must like II. ! could not 20. l
have n certain presentimont that my work.
ing days are ended" said Sir Raye MOURN
fully. "vano, Lord Audley will be de-
lighted to have you in my place. Write
to him at once. You will enjoy week at
Ulverscroft. II is Que Of tho prettiest
places In England. 1 always said that at
some time or other there must be n bridge
over the Ulver. 1t is beautiful river,
and the bridge must be a light one"
Vane sat down, pencil in hand, to sketch
a light beautiful structure that should yet
have solidity enough to bear whole regi-
ment. 1t was interesting to watch the ra-
pidity of his white fingers, the glow on his
face, and the light In his eyes as his beau
tiful conception grew. Ho took the sketch
to his master when 1t was completed, and
almost wondered at the emotion In his
face.
"You remind me OF Quentin Matsys,"
said Sir Kaye with a smile.
But his pupil shrank from his words
He liked nothing that reminded him of his
origin. lie had mixed in the highest soci-
ETY. and had been treated as an equal by
the noblest in the land. He could not en-
dure to remember what his home and its
surroundings were like. lie shrank with
sensitive horror from having his secret
known. To compare him TO "Quentin
Matsys" was to remind him that his origin
was humble and obscure. Yet, like tho
true artist he was, he rejolced in his mas
ter's praise Of the beautiful conception
that had grown under his hands.
"Lord Audey will be delighted with
your idea. He is a man Of great taste"
said Sir Raye; and, without nattery, yane,
have seen nothing so beautiful as this
bridge"
So the letter was written and duly re-
ceived by Lord Audloy, and by him placed
like everything else, in the hands Of his
daughter, the Lady Lillas."
"Read this, Lilias," he said. ~ am
not quite pleased. You see that Sir Raye
ailing, but he sends his adopted son and
partner, yane Wharf, who he assures me
will give me greater satisfaction than he
himself could do"
"This is the young Wharf who wrote
about the Channel tunnel. Everyone was
talking about him last year."
al remember" said the Earl. All, well,
shall be pleased indeed To see himl lie
proposes coming next Tuesday. suppose,
Lilias, we can receive him theni"
"Colonel Gordon and Lady Frances will
be here; but that will not NATTER" replied
Lady Lilias. "Mr. Wharf will be your
guest, papa, not mine"
"Certainly, my dear, certainlyp said
the Earl hastily. lie stood greatly in awe
of his daughter, who was considered one
OF the proudest girls In England. "You
see Mr.. Wharf really is gentleman. lie
must, while he is In the house with us, as
sociate with us. He would DO received
anywhere"