Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-01-10


from his fellows. His numerous good
qualities I so fully recognize and admire,
that you will not think me disparaging
him when mention those peculiarities
which, TO my mind, have epoilt bis life.
a certain amount Of sternness, and
determination to have his own way, and
tread his own path, regardless OF all adj
vice, and yet, under that a sensitive ma
turc, feeling acutely every breath OF the
worlds opinion. man who In spite OF
a morbid predisposition 10 suspicion and
mistrust, would trust implicitly because
hIsreason told him that trust was due get
when once deceived would never forget
or forgive. a proud man to whom de-
feat means death, and Vet wanting
strength of mind to face the void and
retrieve his nisfortunes. am spCakihg
very plainly, Mr.. Philip, but, believe
correctly
recognized some Of the traits he de-
scribod, and was willing 20 take his word
for the others, so | made 4 motion Of as
sent
Gwen then we will suppose only
'ay suppose, for you must al In the de-
taiis--a man as have described Mr.. Nor
ris, making what he considered great
failure in early life; finding what he had
counted as bringing him happiness, a
shipwreck. He is toe proud TO complain;
too weak, shall We say, to face the world
with his misfortune oyershadowing him;
| too dispirited TO struggle any more. He
turns his heel upon the world Disguised;
but susceptibility TO its voice makes him
bring himself where he shall bear It no
longer, He lets the world pass him
cares no more for il, leaves 1t to it's own
devices, aud, in fact, lives that lonely,
uncomfortable life, the thought Of which
makes me, as busy man, shudder.
Now have told you all | can without
saying things should not.n
sat very thoughtful. ] wondered what
could have been the bitter disappoint-
ment and TAI IRE that ruined such 4 mans
| life. Mr. Grace said no more.
"ilut my motherf' / asked.
"Your mother never knew"
"Who was she? what was her name?h
"That cannot tell YOU" said Mr..
! Grace shortly.
"Did my father love her?r
every dearly, l believe. Their sholt
married life was happiness until the end. :"
| "Untll she diedy'
"Until she died." repeated Mr.. Grace.
| How strange 1t seemed that no one
could or would give me information about
my mother, who had died 20 young. |
left Mr.. Gracc's Office not much the wiser
! for my interview. ] had listened to a
metaphysical description Of my father,
and had ascertained that he was rich
man. That was all.
But had other and pleasanter things to
think about than the enigma of my father
life. | was commencing London life and
manhood under favorable auspices The
chambers in Albemarle street were taken
and with the aid aud advice OF n most re-
fined and accomplished gentleman
from one Of the large furniture
establishments, who had all the
new theories of domestic art al
his finger ends, they soon presented q
highly satisfactory appearance. A few
people were just at this time beginning
to creep out OF the denominations OF thu
MISUNDERSTANDING style, aud pride my
self upon being one of the first to recOg
nize the new truths. was rather fright
encd at the amounts for which had tC
draw upon MIR. Grace, but that gentle
man made no sign of disapproyal. Hi
eldest son, now about forty and q risin.
baTrlster, brought about my election as
member of n highly respectable club 0
unmpcachable morality, where the lega
element predominatedi and under TIL
auspices OF an old college friend luut
myself nominated for another, whose con
situation was composed OF lighter, pleas
anter and perhaps more dangerous elc
/ ments. In few weeks WIS thorough
, established in my new home.
Reading for the bar Is not very hGr
, work, and although kept my conscienc
, clear by doing all that scanned nccessar
in this way, I yet had ample time 10
amusing myself. ! soon made plenty q
| acqualntances aud nfew friends. Amongs
( the latter was one named Vigor--a yOun
. man about TWO years my senior-wit
/, whom had many tastes in common, an
whom | enyiCd as having already mad
two or three successful literary attempt
which gave promise OF greater thing
some day one night, about half-pa,
i eleven, was with hun in his room, o.
G ioying his clever conversation, when til
y door was opened and Mr., Estmere wa
z announced.
= Ngor welcomed his visitor heartily
2 "Why, Valentine, MY boy, am glad {
t. see you--radiant aud beautiful ~ ever
Where haze you been2n
n A tall young man entered and the tw
shook hands cordially.
q "Just come from the thenter,n said III
new arrival whose evening dress wa
d covered by a light coat
e al saw your lamp 1T SO thought YOU
give me cigar and Il drink
II "Your conclusions are correct; | vii
Bat first let me make you two known
D. each other, hlr, Estmere Mr.. Norris.
r. Estmere tdrned his pleasant face TO III
J. and held out his hind. Then, thrown
~ off his coat and curling I'm his hat
settled down IN tue most comfortab
II chair he could hnd, evidently quite
y home.
Is lie was tail, wcll-bullt Young man
"a about twenty his hair was hight, his cyi
II were blue, have often wondered what ~
the peculiar charm about Valentine rs
mers which made his presence bring, il
~ simultaneously gay " and kindly thought
L even to perfect strlugers. | can tell W
/. he was handsome ! can describe h
Is hair eyes, nose, firehead, cOmpleXio
n- aud general appear nee, but his mann
n is indescribable 10 NAV be that the K,
10 TO II was his heinz so perfectly naturs
l The smile he greeted YOU wi
t. seemed more truthful than other people
II you were his friend, Il was tn
" because he loyoi you-if you were
a stranger, Il was true because he low
ik mankind as body and was pleased
ne meet any member " it. As for enemies
never heard he had any. | have met hu
hi dreds more hrilliant men whose wor
were worth more listening 20 -hundre
e. OF men whose accomplishments were 4
st greater--hut there was something in V.
OF entine Estmere that no one else have {
eountered possessed N SO great degr