San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-13
Begin Here Today.

Begin Here Today.
Colonel HOLES, soldier and adven
turer. returns TO England. the Ian,
. of his birth. when war is declare,
with Holland He comes TO lodg,
with Martha Quinn, hostess of tn,
Paurs Head in Pauls Yard. London
1t is dangerous for tae colonel t.
secure commission in the Englisl
army because the name of Randa
HOLES. father of the colonel is OF
the warrant for the execution OF the
late king.
His Grace of Albemarle promises
a commission to the colonel but is
forced by His Grace of Buckingham
to give the place oanother.
HOLES meets Buckingham on the
street and sees in him the gentleman
who gave him priceless ruby. The
Duke takes Holes to his home, and
gives the colonel sack of gold Now
go on with the story.
The debonair Duke was airily sym
pathetic. He condoled and TESTED in
breath. his iests being in themselves
a promise that all this should now be
mended. But when Holes came to
1 thN ihoNN'i VI
his grace's laughter sounded melan-
choly note.
And it was I who robbed you of
this" he cried. why. see how mys-
ter;ously Destiny has been at work
But this multiplies my debt"
The Duke produced purse of green
silk netting. through the mesheS of
which glowed the mellow warmth of
gold.
Meanwhile, my friend-as an earn
est OF my good intent
Not that, your g:ace." For the
second time that day Holes waved
back a proffered purse, his foolish
pride in arms.
But His Grace of Buckingham was
of different temper from His Craze
Of Albemarle. He was as proIigal
and lavish as the other was yarsi-
acnious. and he was not of those
who will take a refusal.
He smiled little at the Colouel'S
protestatiOns. and passed 10 a tactfIIl,
ingrafiating insistence with all the
charm of which he could be master.
Il honor you for your refusal. hut
:" He continued 10 hold out the
purse. See. 1t is not Il gift l offer
you, but an advance. Il trifling loan.
which You shall repay me presently
when l shall have made it easy for
YOU TO do so. Come, sir. there is that
between us which is not to be repaid
in gold. Your refusal would offend
me-"
And HOLES, be it confessed. was
glad enough to have the path thus
smoothed for his sclf-respect.
AS a loan. then, since you are SO
graciously insistent. :"
why. what else do you conceive |
/ had in mind?" His grace dropped |
the heavy purse into the hand that |
was at last held out 10 receive it. and |
rose. You shall hear from me again,
Colonel, and as soon as may be. Lei |
me but know where YOU are lodged.
Holes considered second. He |
was leaving the PGul's Head. and Il |
had been his announced intention to |
remove himself to the Bird in Hand. |
Il humble hOstclry where lodgings |
We're cheap. But he loved good food |
and wine as he loved good raimen;.
and he would never lodge in so vile a
house s.vc under the harsh compul-
sion of necessity. Now. with this sud
den accession OF fortune, master of
this heavy purse and assured of more
TO follow soon, that obnoxious neces-
sity was removed. He bethought him
Of. and decided upon. another house
famous for its good cheer.
Your grace will find me at The
Harp in Wood street." he announced.
There look to hear from me, and
very soon.
They left the tavern together. and
the Duke went off 10 his coach. which
had been brought thiether for him, his
French lackeys trotting beside it,
whilst Colonel HOLES. with his head
in the clouds and a greater swagger
than ever in his port TO emphasize
the shabby condition Of his person.
rolled along toward Paul's Yard. fin
gering the jewel in his car. which
there no longer was the need TO sell.
there was no longer the need
TO retain it. since it had fulfilled AZ
last. after long years, Dcstiny's pur-
pose with himself
Thus in high good humor he strutted !