San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-09-12


tales. He! hel hel / don't mind say
ing now how got them. am hum
BILE Christian now am so near heaven
Ell, Middleton? He! he! You don't like
to contradict me. Look at those emer-
aids. The hasp is broken, but it makes
a pretty bracelet. don't think I'll tell
how the hasp got broken-little accident
as the lady who wore it gave it to me-
Rather brown, isn't it, on one side? But
it will come off No, you need not be
afraid of touching il; it isn't wet. He!
he! And this crescent. Look at those
diamonds! A duchess would be proud
Of them. / had them from private SOL
der. gave him two rupees for them.
Dear me! how the sight of them brings
back old times. But won't leave them
out any longer. We must put them
away-put them away"
And the glittering mass was gathered
up and shoveled back into the old brown
bag. He looked into it once with hungry
eyes, and then he pulled the string and
pushed it over to me. Take it" he said.
Put it away now. Put it away" he
repeated, as l hesitated.
Iput the bag into my pocket. He gave
long sigh as he watched it disappear.
''Now what you have got to do with
that bag" he said a moment afterward,
sis to take it to Ralph Danvers, the sec
ond son of Sir George Danvers, of Stoke
Moreton, in D-shire. Sir George has
got two sons. have never seen him or
his sons, but don't mean the eldest to
have them. He is spendthrift. They
are all for Ralph, who is steady fell
low, and going to marry nice girl-at
least l suppose she is nice girl. Girls
who are going to be married always are
nice. Those jewels will sweeten matri-
mony for Mrs. Ralph, and if she is like
other women it will need sweetening.
There, now you have got them AID that
is what you have got to do with them.
There is the address written on this
card. With my compliments, you per-
ceive. He! he! don't suppose they will
remember who am"
"Have you no relations" | asked, for
l am always strongly of opinion that
property should be bequeathed to rela-
tives, especially near relatives, rather
than to entire strangers.
None" he replied, mot even poor re-
lations. have no deserving nephew or
Scotch cousin. If had they would be
here at this moment, smoothing the pill
low of the departing saint and wonder
ing how much they would get. You
may make your mind easy on that score"
"Then, who is this Ralph whom you
have never seen and to whom you are
leaving so much?" l asked, with my
usual desire for information.
He glared at me for a moment, and
then he turned his face away.
ON it! What does it matter, now
I'm dying" he said And then he added,
hoarsely, Il knew his mother"
could not speak, but involuntarily
put out my hand and took his leaden
one and held it. He scowlei at me, and
then the words came out, as if in spite of
himself:
"She-if she had married me who
knows what might But she mar
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son Ralph. Ny first name is Ralph"
Then. with sudden change of tone,
pulling away his hand, There! now
you know all about it! Edifying, isn't
it? These deathbed scenes always have
an element of interest, haven't they?
Good vening"-ringing the bell at his
elbow-'I can't say hope we shall
meet again; it would be impolite. No,
don't let me keep you. Good-by again"
"Good-by, Sir john" l said, taking
his impatient hand and shaking it gently;
"God bless you"
"Thankee," grinned the old man with
a sardonic chuckle. eff anything could
do me good that will. Ia sure. Good
by"
AS | breakfasted next morning previ-
ously to my departure could not help
rejecting on the different position in
which was now returning to England
as a colonel on long leave-to that in
which had left it many, do not care
to think how many, years ago, the
youngest ensign in the regiment.
1t was curious to remember that in my
youth had always been considered the
fool of the family; most unjustly so con-
sidered, when | look back at my quick
promotion owing to casualties, and at
my long and prosperous career in India,
which l cannot but regard as the result
of high principles and abilities, to say the
least of it, of not the meanest order. On
the point Of returning to England the
trust Sir John had. with his usual shrewd
ness, reposed in me was an additional
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