The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-03-29
CHAPTER v.

CONTINUED.
In San Antonio he found his first
difficulty. No one knew a Mr..
Thomas Mowbray, and people smiled
when they were asked to remember
some one whose latest record there
dated back seventeen years.
"Our population drifts good
DEAL" said the hotel keeper, "but I
would trust to the Guadalupe Valley,
for if he once lived there, I reckon
you couldn't get him to live long any
where else.'
So Mowbray rode into the rich up
per valley of the sparkling Guadalupe.
He could not avoid the feeling that
he was again in Greece. The sky
was the same, the climate was the
same, aud when he passed Kerrville
he was sure it ought to have been
called Athens. At four different
farms he called and asked after his
brother. But the name of Mowbray
seemed quite unfamiliar. One owner
was Spanish gentleman, and he
could not we'll say the word "Mow-
bray" another was o German, who
gave it an unpronounceable accent.
A Scotchman at the third farm said he
ssdidna ken the man." An American
Mt the fourth, "reckoned Senor To-
maso at the next farm might remem-
ber, as he was the oldest settler in the
valley"
So Mowbray rode forward to the
house pointed out to him. In the
clear atmosphere it looked close at
hand, but it was really distance of
six miles.
'I'd ask you to stay till morning,
stranger, said his director, "but
you'll get better quarters at the
senor's. He is always ready for COM
pany, and set up beyond everything
with stranger"
Just before sunset Mowbray reached
the senor's house. 1t was q very
handsome place, with deep latticed
galleries ard a tangle Of sweet herbs
and shrubs all around it. A negro
boy took his horse and showed him
little. path that led to the principal en-
trance. As he followed it he heard
the tinkle of guitar and the feet and
voices of children playing on the
piazza. He did not need to announce
his approach; a stout, pleasant-faced
lady, evidently Spanish, met him with
awelcome. She gave him seat and
brought him a cup Of chocolate, and
told him the senior would be at home
at sunset. She asked him no ques-
tions, for she was sure he had come
from San Antonio to buy wool. But
she talked of the fashions and the
city, and said:
''I have desire for the great city,
for, to be sure, my good father lives
there yet; a man of most noble and
illustrious family; and my good moth
er, also, whom forget not, though,
as you know, it is the man and the
woman, and the woman is nobody"
sSan Antonio is, indeed, o most
romantic city," said Mowbray.
"Ah, yes! He is loved of God who
lives there. The senior he loves not
the city; but as for me, I am always
happy to be there. I say so because
it is the truth. Here then comes the
senior, and in good hour, I hope"
Mowbray rose and looked at the
advancing man. Nothing in this
home indicated any certainty of in
formction, and yet he felt as if he
was on the verge of the information
he wanted. The senor was coming
through the shrubbery, and it was
nearly dark, but he could see tall,
stout figure that walked leisurely and
lifted his head expectantly as he be-
gan to mount the piazza steps. Then
two little children rushed forward to
meet him, and he seemed satisfied.
He delayed a moment to kiss them,
and came into the house holding a
hand of each.
The candles were lit az he entered
the parlor and his hat had been left in
the hall. Richard looked at him,
and without moments hesitation put
out his hand and said:
Brother! Brother Thomas"
"Why, God bless my soul, this is
little Dick! Dick! Dick! If an angel
from heaven had called, I could not
be more surprised and delighted.
Dolores! Dolores, come here! This is
my brother. You never heard of
him?' I know you did not. But it is
Dick. am sure it is. Why, you are
the very picture Of your father,
Dick"
Nature had instantly spoken for
each. Richard felt strong drawing
toward this brother, who looked at
him in such a fatherly way; and
Thomas was not ashamed to take the
handsome youth to his breast and kiss
him.
''I am old enough to be your father,
Dick, and have never been able to
think Of you except as the pretty boy
whose picture your father sent me.
He sent your mothers, Also"
''Sle is dead long ago. Father
diel last Christmas.
"God give them peace forever. And
you have thought of me, and come all
this way to see your prodigal brother?
Why, Dick, it is the best news 1 could
ever have"
Then he called together ell his fam
lily, and with marked pride introduced
his eldest daughter, Jesuita. 1t was
her guitar Mowbray had heard, but
the sight of stranger had sent her
away until she understood herself to
be the niece of the splendid youth
-, l., I>o, III, al, IL,