San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-11-08
Paul Jones' Alias
Commenced In No. 237


a rural excursion for the day He would
have been in better trim for it If the Ma
| jor's behavior had been different, but he
had had to reconcile himself to so many
losses Of his own that he found it compar-
atively easy to forget another's. And
though he was on pleasure bent, he had a
frugal mind. He would give himself a
day of fatherly intercourse with his child,
and would, at the same time, make sure
that the American millionaire should keep
his appointment for dinner. This ming
| ling of the domestic and the vulpine was
little bizarre, perhaps; but Captain Med
| hurst did not feel it to be so. He bowled
off to Juan-les-Pins with the child, and
allowed his fluttered spirits to be gradual
| ly Gained by her gay and innocent talk.
| Arriving there in time for luncheon, he
| met the young artist at table.
81 am giving my little daughter days
holiday" he said. 1--WE spoke of your
painting last time you did us the pleasure
| to dine with Major De We're and myself,
and thought you might not consider me
impudent if ask leave to look at one or
two of your drawings"
Paul, seeming a possible patron, assent
ed Immediately. He would have said
Eyes" to anybody, for his work was his
one pride and joy; but he said it more
readily when he thought he saw chance
of doing business. 1t was on the tip of
his tongue half-a-dozen times to ask If
Medhurst had taken him for the million
aire; but, candid and outspOken as his
manners were, he was not without deli
cacy. 1t was not easy to hint that this
courteous and hospitable acquaintance
had only been willing to know him be-
cause he had thought him enormously
rich, and with some suggestion of that
kind Paul hardly saw his way to the in
quiry. He kept silence, therefore, with
respect to that topic; though Medhurst
once gave him an actual chance. 1t was
when they were in the painters bedroom
together, and Paul was displaying his
work.
Really" said the Captain, settling his
pince-nez and surveying the canvas before
him with some signs Of surprise, ''this is
very remarkable workW He did not know
much about pictures, but he knew enough
to be able to make some distinction be-
tween the ordinary inefficiency of the am
ateur and this bold yet subtle delineation
Of Nature. 81 suppose" he went on,
'that it would be unfair 10 ask you, con-
sidering how short time you have been
here, if you have anything more to show
me?"
81 work pretty fast" said Paul. 81 have
done three other things, but they have
gone away"
He could have said, easily enough, that
he had sold them, but he shrank somehow
from that declaration.
When he went out to resume his after
moons labors, Medhurst walked with him,
and stood by to watch the progress of the
work But this was not very much in his
line, and in while he began to yawn be-
hind his gloved fingers. By-and-by, with
some profession of admiration for the
beauties of the landscape, and his desire
to see more of them, he strolled away with
Lilla's hand in his. Short as their ac-
Quaintance had been, the child and the
artist were already excellent friends, and
she called out to him in her clear treble
that they would not be long away, and he
turned to nod smilingly at her and to wave
his broad brimmed sombrero. They had
not gone far when, rounding a little
rocky headland, the child found natural
chair, formed in its side, and shrilled the
papa.
Come and look, papa" she cried ecstati.
cally. There is room for two"
She insisted on sitting down with him.
and he was obedient for that day, at least,
to all her whims.
"You have not smoked since luncheon"
she said, with pretty assumption of being
elderly. THAT is because you were out
with lady. But she does not object to
the smell of tobacco in the open air, and
you can have your cigar"
With that she rummaged in his pockets
for his cigar-case and the little silver box
in which he carried his wax matches.
Then. having struck light for him, she
arranged his hat in an idly rakish posture,
and disposed his hands until he looked
sufficiently restful to her fancy.
Now" she said holding up a warning
finger to him, you will stay like that I'M
til you are strong enough to go on again.
am going to see if there are any shells.
There are not nearly so many here as there
used to be at Hastings. Now, stay like
that, and be good. For If you move away
| shall lose you, and how you would get
back to Monte Carlo without me, goodness
gracious knowsr'
"Ah, my DEAR" he answered, putting
his arms about her, lit would be very hard
to have to go without your
She kissed him with a swift vivacity,
but Immediately reproved his breach of
orders.
"You are to stay like hat'-rearranging
him, and giving his hat a more languidly
rakish cock than before. you are not to
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