San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-09-13

still remained that he would be able to
take his part that night.
Great was the CONSERVATION of the
whole party. a vague feeling of resent
ment against Denis prevailed among the
womankind, who, having all preserved
their own healths intact for the occasion
(and each by her own account was
chronic inyalid), felt it was extremely
incOnsiderate, not to say indicate, of
"a great man like him. to spoil every
thing by being laid up at the wrong
| moment.
But what was to be done? Denis was
i'll, and without Denis the play could not
proceed. Must the whole thing be given
up? There was general chorus of lam
| entatiOn.
Il see no alternative" said Charles,
"unless some Curtius will leap into the
gulf and go through the piece, reading
the part; and that is always failure at
| the best of times"
At that moment l had an idea. It
broke upon me like flash of lightning.
| Valentine Carr! had seen him act in
| the theatricals on the steamer the very
| part Denis was to have taken. How Won
derfully fortunate that it should have
occurred to me!
told Charles that had friend who
had acted that part only the week be-
fore. You" cried Charles, losing ali
his customary apathy. You don't say
so. Great heavens! where is he? Out
with him! Where is he at this moment?
England, Ireland, Scotland or Wales2
Where is this treasure concealed"
"Oh, Col. Middleton! Oh, how de-
Eghtfulv' cried a number of gentle
votes; and l was instantly surrounded
and all manner of questions put to me.
acquainted. Dear me! how these good,
steady young men prosper in the world.
When last heard from him he had pre-
vailed upon the one perfect woman in
the universe to consent to marry him,
and his aunt (by the way, you will meet
her there, too-Lady Mary Cunning
ham) had murmured something vague
but gratifying about testamentary in
tentions. A week later Providence fills
his Drumming cup with a legacy of
Jewels, estimated atg'- Charles opened
his light, sleepy eyes wide and looked
inquiringly at me. What are they est
mated at?' he asked, as l. did not an
swer
really had no idea, but l shrugged
my shoulders and looked wise.
Estimated at fabulous sum, he said,
closing his eyes again. "Ah! had they
been mine with what joyful alacrity
should l have ascertained their exact
money value. And mine they ought to
have been if the sacred law of primo
geniture (that special providence which
watches over the interests OF eldest sOns)
had been duly observed. Sir John had
not the pleasure Of my acquaintance,
but fear he must have heard some re-
ports-no doubt entirely without founda-
| tion-respecting my career, which in
duced him to pass me over in this man
ner. What moral! My father and my
Aunt Mary are always delicately point
ing out the difference between Ralph
and myself Iwish We're a good young
man, like Ralph. 1t seems to pay best
in the long run; but may as well in
form you, Col Middleton, of the painful
fact that l am the black sheep Of the
family"
"Oh, come. Gomez l remarked I'M
easily.
Il should not have alluded to the sub
ject if you were not likely to become
fully aware of it on your arrival, so l
will be beforehand with my relations. l
was brought up in the way should co."
he continued with the utmost uncon-
Germ, as if commenting on something
that did not affect him in the least, but
did not walk in it, partly owing to the
uncongenial cOmpanionship that it in
volved, especially that of my aunt Mary,
who took up so much room herself in
the narrow path that she effeCtually
kept me out of it. From my earliest
youth, also, | took extreme interest
in the parable of the prodigal, and
as soon as it became possible
exemplifed it myself. l may even
say that l acted the part in manner
that did credit to a beginner; but the
wind up was ruined by the lementable
inability of others, who shall be name
less, to throw themselves into the spirit
of the piece. At various intervals" he
continued, always as if speaking of some
one else, Il have returned home, but l
regret to say that on each occasion my
reception was not in any way what l
could have wished The flavor of fatted
calf is absolutely unknown to me; and
so far from meeting me half way, |