San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-11-01
PAUL J0NBS'S ALIAS.
BY DAVID CHRISTIE MURRAY.
Author of "Joseph's Coat" Aunt Rach-
e." "Cyntc Fortune" Etc.
Commenced in No. 237

its inventors daZZled eyes the near pros
pect of breaking the bank 1t was his
hope, his dream. He would sooner have
done it than have won the Derby. 1t
would have served him to brag about for
ever, and would have afforded him live
ly consolation, even in poverty, for the
rest of his days. But it was not to be; the
chances veered again, and went floating
to and fro so unfortunately that the in
defatigable one grew tired, and rose, still
serene and mistaken, the winner of some
six or seven thousand pounds. A little
German Jew, with very bright and beady
eyes, and face bathed in an oily per-
SEPARATION from his interest in this heroic
game, addressed him in terms of admira-
ton.
"Ah, M'Meu, zedait gollozal, fodre
cheur'
whats the little beggar say?" inquired
the Major turning to his companion.
"He says your play was colossal" Med
hurst answered.
The Daisy's swagger was always thing
to see, but it is probable that in all his lite
it never became so gloriously assured as
after that simple tribute.
They had the best rooms the hotel af-
forded, and the Major was ready to spend
his money like an Eastern prince. In
their joint sitting-room the two got out all
the winnings of the campaign and counted
them. They amounted to nearly twenty
thousand pounds, and Medhurst was al
most passionate in advising the Major to
content himself with that surprising sum
and go away from the chance of losing it.
Rot" said the Major; there's about as
much chance of losing it as there is of the
Grand Stand at EPSON walking over here.
I tell you, it's the system, my boy. Idon't
say mightn't got hit earlier; but now,
with capital like this to back me, failure
isn't on the cards. Here's the fifth day
TRANQUILITY. YOU'RE like those teetotal
cOves who preach against drink, or the
Gospel fellows who think that everybody
who sets foot on a race course is going to
the devil They've got the right on their
side in the main. Drink bad thing-a
COMPOUNDED bad thing'-the Major emp
tied and refilled his glass-"but it's only
bad when a man amt moderate, and a
jolly good, comforting, cheerful thing
when he is. Racing would be pretty
bad thing if all the world went in for it
and did nothing else. You've got right on
your side, too. A lot of chaps have come
here with systems, and have gone to the
bad with them-a set of rotters," the Ma
jor added, with quiet and rooted scorn,
''who didn't know that three and three
make six. Now, look here, my boy, it
comes to this: l came here on my sys-
tenn"
"Oh, confound your SYSTEM" broke in
Medhurst. Its no use talking to you"
mot bit of use," replied the Major,
cheerfully. 81 come here on my system,
and I play low first day and win, roughly,
a couple of thousand pounds. leave the
place, and come back to it two or three
days later; play bit more boldly, and
win three thousand. Next day 1 launch
out still more and win over four. Next
day. over five. To-day, over six. Now,
each time the winnings increase-not be-
cause the sitting's longer, but because
the stakes are higher, and they go on in
what do you call it'-geometrical pro-
gressiOn."
''All right" said Medhurst: 'if wllful
will to water, wilful must drink"
Drink" replied the Major, slipping
gaily at his glass, II should think so. and
drink the best there is into the bargain"
"Tm going to Mentone," said Medhurst,
gloomily, after pause. Il have been here
four days, and have never seen the child.
| shall bring her over here with me, and
have her somewhere near. She's too
young to get any harm out of the place,
and | want to see more of her than | have
done"
II say, Medhurst," said the Major, 81
don't think you're as fond of the kid as
you ought to be-"
MOI" said Medhurst, glancing sidelong
at him, and beginning to pace up and
down the room.
NO" said the Major. "She's pretty,
jolly little creature, and if she were mine,
begad, I'd take jolly good care to have her
with me wherever | went"
81 dare say" Medhurst answered, in a
tone which he tried to make Indifferent.
But, for my part, | think she's little
better where she is" He looked at his
watch. There's train in a quarter of
an hour from now. Daisy, promise me
one Jhing-prOmise me you won't play
while Pm away. You won't dream of GO
ing back before dinner, of course, and 1
shall be here again a little after nine.
You won't play"
NO" said the Major; 81 won't play till
you come back again" He bundled the
money together, with the exception of two
or three notes, which he slipped into his
pocket-bOoI, and put the mass of it into
cash-boX, which he sealed. "Pll leave
that" he said, with the manager. It's
safer in his hands than here. Finish your
wine, Medhurst, and I'll walk down to the
station with you"
1t was dusk already, and the evening
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