Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-03-21

lights. so was uniel9neuly Hiuu WhtH
Lord Rothwell's large brown hand
ciasped mine, and in its clasp told me
was still his friend
"COme In, Capt. Phillip" he said-he
still occasionally called me by the old
boylsh name he had given me. "Come
In aud have a long talk"
He led me 70 a room which he had al
ready began to transform to his taste.
The two huge tables were installed, and
even now getting covered with odds and
ends / laughed as | looked at the
room.
"You soon make your mark in a place
| said
eyes wonder they allow it. It's be-
cause Pm lord, suppose. There's
great advantage in having title, II
you know how to use II. People talk
about the obligations Of rank Don't be-
lieye them Philip. If there's one man can
live to please himself, it's lord. dare
say you are ashamed of me sometimes"
He was maligning himself. Although,
10 suit his own notions of ease, he chose
to lounge about In an old coat, to sit In
one OF those comfortable round backed
wooden chairs which he had doubtless
bribed waiter to steal from the kitchen,
LOIu hOLHMcili sdNe Win MS must lull-
mate friends, looked and acted as much
like nobleman as the most eXacting in
such matters could demand, whilst his
courtesy, courage, and chivalry raised
him in my eyes above any nobleman /
had as yet met with.
He had not yet seen Valentine or Lady
Estmere. His first inquiries were for
them. He was pleased to hear that Val
entine was making himself known as an
artist, and as much vexed when he heard
of his ill-starred love affair, which had
ended so prematurely. Then he asked
me about my owe engagement.
told him everything told him of my
fathers sudden return of Valentines I'M
dismissal; of the choice
was called to make between my father
and Claudine, His grave face grew very
grave as he listened.
81 feared it from the first" he said,
with a sigh "You remember my words?"
"Why should you have feared it? To
me it is inexplicablel"
"Perhaps 1t was a presentiment Per-
haps know the world too well. You
will not be rash, hope, Philip"
81 shall marry Claudine, If that is being
rash. Not yet" ] added, seeing disap-
proval written on his face
mo, not yet. Walt awhile. Is there
any chance of your father coming to
town."
81 am afraid not Then thought
struck me.
"Lord Rothwell," | said, "would you
do me a great, very great favor, if
asked it?"
He turned his eyes to me; those eyes
that somehow often, in spite of his strong,
manly features, seemed TO me like the
eyes of a woman.
81 would do much for your fathers
son, Philip" he said.
"My fathers son!" | repeated "My
father is stranger to you; you have only
seen him once, years ago!"
"Your fathers son is yourself, - he said.
rather quickly. 'What can do for your
felt almost ashamed at putting my re-
quest in words,
81 scarcely like to ask YOU" said,
"hut If you could find time, and could
run down to Deyonshire to see him, YOU
could argue with him, could tell him what
Claudine is, what Lady Estmere is. He
would listen to you. Words from a man
of your age and standing would influence
him far more than anything l could say
lie might see the injustice he is COM
mitting.n
Lord Rothwell made no immediate re-
ply. He sat as one in deep thought, vet
not as ii offended by my request He
stretched the hand out and took another
cigar, while sat awaiting his decision.
"Yes," he said, 81 will 90. | cont
think can do any good, hut will 20.
will start tonight"
81 don't know how to thank you
enough Please don't Inconvenience your
self-any day will do"
81 Will go at once. hate having any
thing hanging over me-
"Shall come with you ~
mo, better not.u
81 suppose he will see you,n | said,
rather doubtfully, thinking of his dis,
courteous treatment Of Valentine
"Mr. Norris is "A gentleman. There is
no reason why he should refuse to see
me. II he should do so can come buck
as went, Now let us talk of something
else.''
True TO mis- word, Lord Rothwell started
that night for the West, and waited with
great anxiety to learn the result of his
kindly errand. My hopes rose. knew
he would do all he could TO change nv
fathers mind. Surely his arguments
the arguments OF man of the same age
as my father-a man of the world. than
whom none knew better what was due to
the honor of afamiy, must atlast prevail.
80 argued and hoped.
was much surprised to find upon in.
curry morning after morning at his hotel.
that Lord Rothwell had not returned
Indeed, more than week passed before
again saw him. AS the DAYS went bv
expected a letter, bnt none came; so
when at last stood in his presence
| was in utter ignorance as to his sue
cess or failure. He did not keep me long
In doubt.
he said. "'''p'
''There Is no hope of his relentipg9,
None; on this one point he is deter.
mined. His is an obstinate Character ),
somehow felt greater indignation AZ
Lord Rothwelps failure than at nv
own.
lie knows that can be equally firm. -
l said, passionalely; "knows that by lie
own free viii lie is casting me off for
everi knows that will marry Claudinc !,
''Yesi he knows aud expects it,
TEL me AL he said"
what use, Philip? Iarguedand com.