Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-05-30

II was some time before he could be
made TO understand that until q few days
$40 was as much In the dark as himself
That our meeting, our friendship, my dis.
covery OF Cnesham's conspiracy all took
place without my imagining that | was
In any way related to the Estmere family
or that had any claim TO that long line
OF ancestors whose portraits st the Court
moved me TO envy Valentine his lineage.
had to tell him the whole story from
beginning to end He listened and
wondered. Thea he took my hand.
"Our father and mother reconciled
The brother hated and wished 20 avoid,
Philip Norris! Gresham dead! You
were at Monaco, Phllip--did you shoot
Ihim2"
He asked the last question iercely.
"No," ~ replied. ! went to do so, but
was forestalled."
~ am glad you went to do 1t, and am
glad there was no need Of IL. Yes, Philip
Laurence, brother and friend, happy
days are coming. Let us start for our
home.n
We left the house and went around TO
the stables. There was dog-cart and u
set Of harness. We installed Mr.. Blacks
horse in these, and in few moments
/
| Two miles along the road we came
upon Stanton and Vigor They stopped
us.
"Now, where are you fellows going tor"
asked Stanton. "lt you think you are
going to walk Valentine off you are much
mistaken, Philip
sis II secret" whispered Valentine
| to me.
"Not the slightest" answered.
! Valentine leaned down TO his friends
"Stanton, Vigor," he said, "et me In
troduce you. This Is my elder brother,
laurence
| The two men stared at ole another.
Vgor shook his head mournfully.
1.-THE sun wasn't very hot" he said,
"out some heads are unusually soft and
easily affected by a sunstroke. Don't
walt, Philip, drive on TO the DOCTORS az
soon ms possible.n
at may be liquor" suggested Stanton.
"Two boys like this should not be trusted
alone.n
"rhis is my brother Laurence" said
Valentine Wit dignity, "we are going to
join my father and mother at the Dover
House.n
Stanton whistled; vigor held out his
hand and caught Valentines.
sis 1t true?" he said, turning to me.
"Quitei my father, known so long as
William Norris, turns out TO be the miss
Ing Sir Laurence / think our troubles
are all over. Rothwel is with us--I
dare say he will run over and see you to-
morrow. He will explain all Good
bye--our time is short"
The two men congratulated us heartily.
They knew enough Of our histories to be
able to dogetail the facts and arrive at
right understanding OF the situation.
We wished them merry adieu.
"Stop minute" said Vigor, "here's
the boy with the game bag. Chuck it
into the cart. When family returns to
house shut up for twenty years, the
eommissariat is apt to hitch. The birds
may come In useful
Sand that Valentine has such devil of
an appetite" added Stanton.
Valentine rejoined with his usual gave
ty, and, followed by good wishes, we
drove OFF, leaving our friends with enough
70 talk about unti they should see us
Sgain.
My mother was at the door TO welcome
US. 1t must have been her native kind
ness and grace which made her turn first
to her eldest son.
eat lastl" she whispered. "Husband,
wife, and children under one roof How
happy ami"
Whether my fathers malady was men
tai or bodily, his recovery, so far as we
could see, was a rapid one. In a very
few days all anxiety was at an end. He
was able to leave his room aud take out
oi-door exercise. Indeed was able to
assure my mother that OF recent years |
had never seen him look better.
was not present at the first interview
be had with Valentine. My brother told me
he called him TO his side and, holding his
hand, expressed his delight at finding his
son such credit TO his race. He spoke
most affectlonately, and expressed bitter
regret that cruel misfortune should
have compelled them TO remain strangers
so long. The future should make up for
the past. His words were sweet and
KIND, but yet were invested with a GER
tam dignity which forbade his youngest
son to pass judgment on what had oc-
CURED, Valentine left his presence
pleased but puzzled.
at seems to me-" he said, enc cannot,
or will not, recall anything that has hap
pened. But he was very kind, and he is
certainly aman one is glad to call father.n
Now that he was convalescent and
about again, Valentine saw great deal
of him, more than anyone, save nv
mother, She was never away from his
side, but Valentine was generally on the
other. For while was completely out
In the cold. But | murmured not. /
was too happy to feel discomfort.
AS predicted, in few days my father
had made conquest of his younger son.
ANY natural embarrassment which NAV
nave existed at first vanished. In a very |
short time Valentine was at his ease and |
rafting out his opinions OF men and things |
as II the two had been acquainted all |
their lifetime. felt that my father could |
not have better companion to chase any |
morbid regret which might still be left IN |
MS mind. In charge OF Valentine and |
my mother might with clear conscience
leave him.
Rothwtll had departed to glad |
den the hearts OF Nigor and Stanton, and |
make excuses'and amends for his uncere. I
monious absence. Soon began to think |
IL time TO follow his example aud look 4
after an important piece OF self.interest
which had OF late shamefully neglected |
had written to Claudine and apprlsed I
her OF the extraordinary turn OF affairs.
refrain from giving my letter or her I
reply, because, as before stated, this is (
not love tale. can only say that the
manner In which she congratulated me
on my success and new prospects, and (
the catering recommendation She bestowed /
ON what she was pleased to call NV |
made me most anxious 10 /
hear her lips repeat the pleasant phrases
My mother making no objection, | went /
away on my agreeable errand