San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-12-27

securely hooked"
But she was out of sight, if not out
OF hearing, ere he could finish, and the
hand of George Castleton upon mis-
shoulder caused the angered man to
turn.
George Castleton." he said, "do not
dare to lay your hands upon me. | have
a far better right TO these premises than
you. and if had not it is not such as
you that would stay me-"
However much stronger YOU may be
than l." the young man unflinchingly
answered, you must not think, Mr.. Tai
bot, that stand in awe of you"
81 don't doubt your courage in the
least, Castleton," was the more collect
ed reply; "but you are a fool-in all
friendliness l tell it to you--vou are
TUol. ihI5 nne lazy mas onnaea you
with her beauty and you are bent on
winning her fair hand at the same time
as the great wealth she is Supposed to
possess. Well, man, she has not cent
not a cent, do you hear? She is not
Jonathan Watson's daughter, and, as
there is no will, Mr.. Watson's only son
| by his first wife will be the sole heir"
You speak in riddles, sir. What
proof have you that Odilla is not what
she has always appeared to be, and that
Jonathan Watson has a son of whom he
never spoke and Of whom no one has
ever heard? You are either mad or the
discoyerer of very strange and improb-
able things. If you are not prepared to
furnish incontrovertible proof for these
statements, strong and fearless as you
pretend to be, you will find yourself be-
yond your depths, SIR"
"Bahl Do you take me for child,
to cry in triumph over an uncertainty
| know whereof l speak. Jonathan
Watson was married in the East when
he was young and pennIless: he had
child, and left it and its young mother
to fare the best way they could. He
went West and made a fortune. He
procured a divorce and married again.
He did have child by his second mar
riage, but she died, and this girl, the
daughter of one of his servants, was sub
stituted for the dead one without the
fathers knowledge"
The young lover stood pale and
dazed, wavering, uncertain what to do
or say. Talbot's manner carried con-
vlction with his words. and Castleton
did not for a moment doubt that his
story was true. Neither he nor his
companion had noticed the approach of
young man, now within easy hear
ing distance. He was dressed in gray
travelling costume. He was tall, broad
shouldered, and erect, and his large blue
eyes lighted up a countenance of I'M
usual beauty and intelligence. He had
barred his head to the evening breeze.
and his long chestnut hair shaded the
neck Of an Antinous. 1t was impossible
to look upon his face and doubt for
moment the noble integrity of his soul
He considered the pair before him with
evident amazement and Indignation,
and listened us one who had right to
hear.
.'Oh, you are pale" the lawyer con-
tinued. II dare say you love the pretty
daughter of Jonathan Watson's servant
So did | once. Now | hate her. Of
fered myself to her as humbly as shep-
herd boy might court a princess. She
not only refused me; she spurned me
from her feel as though | had been a
.loathsome reptile. Do you think am
vi Sllillt1 IldI was
flesh and blood could endure. | was
bent upon revenge, and revenge is
mine. She will go hence in poverty and
disgrace. Her fair hands will have to
earn miserable existence. Her proud
heart will have to bow itself down to
labor at the command of others or sink
to worse-unless the gallant son of
Judge Castleton will take her up from
the gutter where she belongs and make
her his wife," he added bowling. IF
you love her as did you will do it. "
'.And your revenge will be lost"
mo, not lost; deprived of some of its
sweets, no doubt, but not lost will
still have the satisfaction of proving that
she is the child of a servant. l will take
all this property out of her hands
every cent-and place it where it right
fully belongs"
How did you discover" stammered
the young lover.
"HowP Oh, it was just immense
luck. that's all. l knew by chance of
the divorce; worked it up and found
the boy, noble fellow. Hooked around
the second, marriage and found the
mother of Miss Odilla, and she told all
Oil l have the proofs, perfect as the
most rigorous court can demand"
"And you will carry out that diaboli-
cal scheme?"
THAT will, without scruple, can
tell you. And you-will you marry Miss
Odilla Grubbs-i think, is her rightfui
namep"
Marry her! OF certainty shall.
But before that l will find a way to
chastise you in a proper fashion"
bah! Why, man, can break your
bones with no more effort than it
would take to crush sparrow" laugh
ed the lawyer. But the eyes of both
met in deadly hatred, and they looked
into each others eyeballs like wild
beasts preparing for fray.
The silent witness now calmly ap-
preached and laid his hand upon the
lawyers shoulder. you are mistaken,
Mr.. Talbot" he said, "you have no
proof whatever of what you assert con-
corning this young lady, and you had
better keep a still tongue on that sub
ject."
No proofsr' cried Talbot; what do
you call the decree of divorce between
Jonathan and Amelia Watson, the GER
tificate of your own birth. the dying
declaration of Mrs. Grubbs, her mother,
and the sworn statement of Gabriel
and Adeline thompson What do you
call that, without mentioning all the
other papers you have now in your
pocket No proof! You ought to be
the last to make such statement, Mr..
Watson"