San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-11-09
Paul Jones has

wide awake in his life, but he felt sort
of dreamlike sensai ion still. and sat quite
silent, hidden, as he knew very ell 10y
the overhanging rocks amidst which he
sat. The voice he had heard 50 IndcI ell
derby, and was Enthusiastically Amer can,
smooth, agreeable, and cultured, and Dos
tOnian in every tone.
Il don't know what to make of him"
said another voice. which Medhurst recog-
nized Immediately. He's a gentleman
Enthusiastically, or, rather, should be in
clined to say that Enthusiastically he mas
been"
Medhurst was nine-tenths inclined to
rise and reveal himself. 1t is overhaul
that listeners rarely hear good of them
selves. The speakers had paused, and, rs
he guessed, had sat down out of sight
above him. They seemed disposed to dis
cuss him with some candor, and he hardly
cared to be present unseen at a candid
handling of his own character
He has rather the look of a roue," the
second voice went on, land yet there are
certain marks of distinction about him."
And the other man-what do you call
him?-De Veres"
Vulgar from head to foot. OF course
one would not like to say on such slender
evidence, that practically is no evidence
at all, that they are anything but honor
able and high-minded men, but l don't
like the fact that the young fellow has
fallen into his hands. They think him
prodigiously rich they have induced him
already to play for high stakes, and when
l bought the sketch from him the other
day he confessed to me that they had al
most cleaned him out already. But for
the fact that he had sold a picture that
morning he told me that he would not
have known where to turn. He 10 a gold
medalst, and has a three years travelling
allowance: but with all he can earn he
cannot afford such associates as Major De
We're and Captain Medhurst."
This was very curious matter for Med
bursts hearing, and he was so surprised
and so eager to hear more that he sat still
as stone and listened intently, with no
lingering idea of proclaiming himself.
You warned the young fellow" said
the elder voice.
II put it to him that he might be taken
for a certain very wealthy person of the
same name as himself could not warn
him against these English military people,
l.
nothing"
That warning alone should have been
enough for him. surely"
1T does not seem to have been so. He
told me yesterday that he had an engage 4
ment to dine with them this evening at
Monte Carlo, and said he was going to try
to win back his losses.,'
REALLY, my dear Paul, don't see that
you have any need to concern yourself
further about the matter You are not
Paul Jones keeper, and you have done
what you could"
at is that stupid alias of mine that has
done the whole mischief. The boy is per-
fectly frank and open. He tells me he
never played in his life before, except for
the simplest stakes, and he talks about the
splendid excitement of the game in way
which makes me think him likely to be
betrayed into mischief"
you seem to be pretty sure that these
two Englishmen fastened upon him be-
cause they supposed him to be yourself"
Because they supposed him to have my
money?-yes. l haven't the slightest
doubt about that But in spite of that
they may be very decent people. We all
know men who have money whom we
would not know at all in poverty, and do
not vastly care to know even as things
are"
There was pause at this point, and af-
ter it the elder man asked
"You take an interest in the bOy?"
Eyes. He seems likely to put feather
in the cap of American art. | think he
has real genius for his work, and know
that it was my alias which put him into
danger These are reasons enough for in
tereSt, surely"
Ample, my dear Paul; ample, " returned
the elder
Then there was another pause.
There are two or three things very
well worth painting in the neighbOrhoOd
of MentOue. We might get him over
there, and keep him a little out of the
way of these people. 1t will seem quite
natural in Americans to offer him hospi-
tally, and | want him to paint me a pic
ture or two"
You know where he is at work now?"
asked the elder.
II think can find him. Shall we go'"
There was a sound of footsteps grating
ON the rough stones of the hillside walk,
ahu Uhey anu 'le NolCeS Srduudlly ldueu
out of hearing together. Medhurst sat
still and wondered rather disconsolately.
Fortune had seemed to cast great prize
in his way, and when he had made actual
ly sure of it had suddenly struck it worth
less between his thumb and finger. He
had been so shrewdly certain that the
painter was playing at poverty that the
memory of his own confidence Inundated
him, and made him feel like foolish dupe.
The vOunD fellow had never diSpuiSed