San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-10-03
PAUL JONES'S ALIAS.
BY DAVID CHRISTIE MURRAY.
Author of "Joseph's Coat" AUNT Rach
el," "Cynic Fortune" Etc.
Commence ed in No. 237,

do you think it's WORTH"
The bidder felt inclined to offer some
what extravagant price for it; but he con
trolled himself He had learned long age
that it was easy to do so much damage
with his money. He was not absolutely
certain of his own judgment. and if he
were to offer a great deal more than the
work was worth in the opinion of better
judges than himself he might spoil the
happiness of the artists life for years.
There could be few things bitterer, he
thought, than to find an enthusiastic be-
lever once, and never to discover him
again. In his anxiety not to spoil the
painter in that way, and not to offer
price which should seem an insult to the
delicate beauty of the work, he felt his
position to be almost painful.
IF you would fix a price," he said, nerv-
ously.
"Wellr' returned the artist, lingering on
the word, 81 don't rightly know what to
say, and that's fact It's trifle, and if
could afford it I'd be inclined to say to Q
man who took fancy to it, You can have
it, But l can't afford to say that, and
you shall have it for what you think a de-
cent, reasonable price"
n
aire.
Sir" said the painter with enthusiasm
'ft is yours. If you like to pamper art in
my person will supply you with two of
them week, at the same price, for .
twelvemonth."
"You think that fair price," the other
asked.
"'Tain't fair to ask me that" the artist
answered, laughing, Pm contented with
it. If you are as contented as am, were
pair of happy people"
II will give you draft on the Credit
Lyonnas at Nice" said the other, and be-
ing provided with pen and ink, the bargain
was then and there ratified by the delivery
of the cheque. eff you wish to utilize that
sketch for your finished picture, pray keep
it for little while. am settled here fol-
the whole winter and if you will let me
know when / can send for it my man car
call"
You're very good, SIR" said the paint
er, grayely you've got my name al
right" glancing at the draft he held in
his hand. May ask how you knew it?''
81 heard it called out pretty loudly at
table one night"
'Oh, ah! yes-Major De We're. l re-
member. You sat opposite, didn't you:
Mr.. Paul Norton" he continued, reading
the signature on the document he held
with a sort of fondness in his tone. Then
he sighed, like man well pleased, folded
the paper, and placed it in his waistcOat
pocket. At this moment bell rang be-
low. There's feeding time. we'd best go
down. If you'd like a wash beforehand
there are the materials"
The millionaire accepted this invitation,
and the young giant having rinsed him
self afterwards, with good deal of I'M
necessary splashing, they went down
stairs together, and took their seats at the
table. The painters plate and table-nap-
kin were set quite apart from those of the
other guests.
These folks fog me-" he said 81 can't
talk their lingo, and so like to be by my
self. 1t would be bit dull in the even
ings, too, if one could never get away.
You spoke about Major De We're just now.
He's fine sort, that. had kind of no
toni don't mind confessing it-when l
set out from New York, that if it hap
pened to be my luck to fall across any
specimen of the real tip-top British aristo-
and feel very shirtY and American, and
Republican, and all that. He's the first l
have met, and he's quite nice disappOint-
ment"
Major De Vere," the millionaire said,
i'll questioning tone lis man of good
family
Lord, yes! came over with the Con-
querOr. All lis blood relations are earls
and dukes, and that sort of people. He's
flyer Major De We're is There's only
one thing don't like about him. | wish
he wouldn't play so nasty high; but he
says he likes the excitement of it. | do
that; but 1 should like winning better
than losing, and | reckon that the British
aristocrat can afford to lose better than a
Yankee canvas-spOiler. It's good berth,
British aristocrat; and l fancy there's
bit of envy in the feeling of some of our
fellows. Maybe, when our Jay Gould and
Vanderbilt fellows have been there for a
thousand years, they'll feel just as safe
and cocky as the others"
You have played with Major De Vere?"
asked the millionaire. The artist nodded
only, but cOntrived to put a considerable
meaning into the gesture. you have
He was going to say lost" but checked
himself, thinking that the question would
sound like an impertinence. The artist
finished the sentence for him.
Lost? Well, yes, should say l had"
The confidence seemed little sudden,
but then the painter was so very harum-
scarum in his way, so very free and easy
and boyish, that his new patron found
nothing surprising in it. But he recalled
the old doctors suggestion, and began to
think that it might not be kindly to leave
poor man to bear the burden of a mill
iOnaire's reputatiOn among peOple who