San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-01-20
The Master Of BaIlantPaG
By ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON, Au-
thor DIR. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde"
rA!s!!.s!.A:

return. And then, If you SO decide, you may
have seen the last of me-"
My lord stared him steadily in the eyes;
there was hard smile upon his face, but he
uttered nothing.
Henry" said the master, with formula
BILE quietness, and drawing at the same time
somewhat back-"Henry, had the honor to
address you"
Let us be stepping homeward," says my
lord to me, who was plucking at his sleeve;
and with that he rose, stretched himself, set
tied his hat, and, still without syllable of
response, began to walk steadily along the
shore.
hesitated awhile between the two broth
ers, SO serious a climax did we seem to have
reached. But the master Lad resumed his
occupation, his eyes lowered, his hand SEEM
ingly as deft as ever; and | decided to pursue
my lord.
"Are you madg' cried, as soon as had
overlook him. Would you cast away so
fair an opportunityr
as it possible you should still believe in
hing inquired my lord, almost with sheer.
II wish him forth of this town. | cried
II wish him anywhere and anyhow but as
he is"
II have said my say" returned nay lord,
land you have said yours. There let itrest.'
But | was bent on dislodging the master.
That sight of him patiently returning TO his
needlework wa. more than my imagination
could digest. There was never a man made,
and the master the least of any, that could
accept so long a series of insults. The air
snlelled blood to me- And l vowed there
should be no neglect of mine if, through any
chink of possibility, crime could yet be turned
aside. That same day, therefore, | came to
my lord in his business room, where he sat
upon soIne trivial occupation.
my lord" said 1, II have found a suitable
investment for my small economies But
these are unhappily in Scotland; it will taxe
some time to lift them, and the affair presses.
Could your lordship see his way to advance
me tho amount against my notee'
He read me awhile with keen eyes. 81
have never inquired into the state of your
affairs, Mackellar," says he. Beyond the
amount of your caution, you may not be
worth a farthing, for what know"
81 have been a long while in your service,
and never told lie, nor yet asked favor
for myself, said l. until today"
"a favor for the MASTER" he returned,
quietly. "Do you take me for fool, Mac
kellarl Understand it once and for all,
treat this beast in my own way; fear nor
favor shall not move me; and before l am
hoodwinked, it will require trickster less
transparent than yourself | ask service,
loyal service; not that you should make and
mar behind my back, and steal my own
money to defeat me-"
My lord, said |, these are very unpar.
donable expressions.
Think once more, Mackellar," he replied,
and you will see they fit the fact 1t is your
own Subterfuge that is objectionable Deny
Gf you cam that you designed this money to
evade my orders with, and | will ask your
pardon freely. If you cannot, you must have
the resolution to hear your conduct 60 by its
own name"
IF you think had any design but to save
YOU began.
"Oh, my old friend" said he, you know
very well what l think! Here is my hand to
you with all my heart; bus of money, not
one rap"
Defeated upon this side, went straight to
my room, wrote a letter, ran with it to the
harbor, for knew a ship was on the point
Of sailing, and came to the masters door a
little before dusk Entering without the
form of any knock, | found him sitting with
his Indian at simple meal of maize pcr-
ridge with Some milk. The house within was
clean and poor; only few books upon
shelf distinguished it, and lin one corner Sc.
cundra's little bench.
'Mr. Bally," said l, Il have near $500 laid
by in Scotland, the economies of hard life.
A letter goes by yon ship to have it lifted;
have 50 much patience till the return ship
comes in and it is all yours, upon the same
condition you offered to my lord this morn.
ing"
He rose from the table, came forward took
me by the shoulders, and looked me in the
face, smiling.
And yet you are very fond of money!"
said he. And yet you love money beyond
all things else, except my brother
II fear old age and poverty" said |,
which Is another matter"
II will never quarrel for a name Call it
sol" he replied. "Ah, Mackellar, Mackellar,
if this were done from any love to me. how
gladly would Close upon your offerI"
And yet" | eagerly answered, Il say it
to my shame but | cannot see you in this
poor place without conjunction. 1t is not
my single thought, nor my first; and yet it's
sherei would gladly see you delivered.
do not offer it in love, and Ear from that; but
as God judges me-and wonder at it tool
quite without enmitv"
"Ah," says he, still holding my shoulders
and now gently shaking me, you think of me
moro than you suppose And wonder at it
too" he added, repeating my expression and
suppose something Of my voice. You are
an honest man, and for that cause | spare
you"
"Spare mea' l cried
'Spare you" he repeated, letting me go
and turning away And then, fronting me
once more: "You little know what would