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

tuIu ii not Claimed Wltnln Ten days
Dear Miss Connic,n II said, "of cours,
am sadly mystiiled by your note; but
that is nothing strange. Men have beer
similarly perpleXed since time began. Il
| pack up my traps and 90 shooting II
tie vicinity of Carter's Run, what theni
Vicinity Is a very indefinite term. Give
me, pray you, some more specific di
rections and for the sake of meeting my
sisters friend and my own unknown cor
respondent, | will gladly shoot rullled
grouse along Carter's Run or anywhere
else
In few days there came an answer
Take $40 q. m. train from Baltimore on
| Wednesday nrXt. Stop at Brockville
Wear your shoothcs. Watch for a dark.
/ brown riding habit and red carnation. y
J "Well, P" thought Tom, when he read the
brief cplstle, "this is beginning to look
! serious ~ aud he pondered the situation
/ with some misgiyings. While the cor.
/ respondence had been conducted through
/ his SISTERS letters and from beneath am
other sisters roof 1t had seemed all right,
and there had grown up in his heart quite
u tender sentiment toward the unknown.
/ Had her visit not been abruptly termin-
ated, he would have gone down TO West
/ Virginia prediSposed TO fall III love at first
/ sight. But this renewal OF the CORE
/ spondence had an uncanny look GLOW
ever" he concluded, .I'll see this thing
/ through, anyhow" and Tuesday after
noon found him on the way to Baltimore,
with gun-case and the necessary parapher-
MALTA for shooting expedition.
1t must be admitted that for sports
man he took extra pains next morning
with his toilet, and very good-looking
fellow he was in his corduroys as he
boarded the $40 train. This was due at
Brockville about 2 p. M, and Tom had
plenty OF time to reflect upon the errand
which had thus called him away from his
fall engagements. The result Of his cogi-
tations was not reassurlng. He hated to
be made fool Of, and the more he turned
the matter over the more it seemed to
him he was in imminent danger of Just
this very thing. At a station where the
train stopped for ten minutes for wood,
water and refreshments, Tom was
gazing absently from the window,
calling himself some not very com
plmentary names, and hall inclined
to take the return train before IL was too
late, when he became aware of another
corduroy-clad individual walking up and
down the platform, apparently Tor the
sake OF exercising a handsome liver
colored setter, who, with delicate, sensi-
tive muzzle to the ground, was "quarter-
ing" the platform and trying to make be-
lieve that he expected TO find game scent.
"Some one going shooting in earnest, !"
thought Tom. "Not partly on wild
goose chase like me. Wonder where he's
bound?"
There was ticket in the strangers cap,
a h.,, t.tfp T.,,,,
looked sharp and made out "Brockville.
He must be going to Carters Run, too"
thought Tom. 'I'll screpe acquaintance
when the train STARTS
But on consideration an idea came into
our heros head upon which he forthwith
proceeded to act He had already made
friends with the conductor through the
medium Of cigars, and stopping MIN on
his next round through the train asked
If he could have the use OF some retired
corner of the baggage-car for few min
utes. 81 want to change my clothes,n
Tom explained innocently. 81 intended to
20 out shooting at once, but changedmy
plans.'
The conductor was quite ready to
oblige, and in a few minutes Tom had
changed bis corduroys for dark bust
mass suit aud soft felt hat. Finding q
seat in the foremost cur he awaited with
some little nervousness the approach TO
Brockville, now not far distant. At this
station, as the timetable informed him,
the train was filed to wait twenty min
utes for an up express. As II Numbered
across considerable stream q striking
picture presented itself for q ficeting in-
stunt, which quickencd Toms pulse q
bit and made him question for a moment
the wisdom Of his hasty change OF APP
parel.
A turnpike road crossed the stream Il
hundred yards or so below the railway,
and framed in the dark, square opening
of the covered bridge partially hidden by
the lcaGess twigs of intervening willows
was an equestrian figure. The November
sun fell over The shining chestnut coat of
the graceful thoroughbred mare who with
eve and ear intent, stood at gaze watch
ing the train rush by In the saddle was
a 1.-The, erect figure, clad, Tom was GER
tain, ina brown riding habit and surely
there was CLEAN of red-coat below the
white collar and kerchief. Tom looked,
OF course, with all his eyesiand as helooked
the fair equestrlenne, with sudden
movement OF her right arm, flashed q
white handkerchief into sight Tor an en-
slant, and then, touching the chestnut
mare with her whip, cantered brlsldy along
after the hyng train. Whether the signal
was answered from the train Tom could
not see.
or course she was distanced in mo-
ment. but presently the whistle SOU -ded Tor
Brockyille, and within ten minutes, pulled
M nj the station. Tom kept his seat
The train backed to siding out OF the
way of the express Tom left his gun
case in the rack, but prudentlY took has
/ satchel with him 10 the rear door Of the
/ last car.
! The conductor came along, ana TO MS
/ intimation that this was Brockyille, Tom
answered rather shortly, ~ know y,
/ In the meanwhile, "Corduroy's," with
! liver colored setter, russell, gun, cane ana
/ all, had discmharked, coolly deposited
lhls traps on the platform and stood u
I little npart watching the temporary bus
lie that enllvened the sleepy little country
! station. Presently he began 70 walk UP
and down the platform, and Tom coalu
not be certain whether he Was Wa'tihg
I for some one or not.
/ A wcll.trayeled rural "pilyep led OF 70
the eastward from the station, and upon
! the point where it disappeared oyer q
I slight knoll Tom kept his eyes WIN an
7 eauerness for which he cynically laughed
4 A. himself even then. Twice he saiJ,
uThere she comes.n ns some moving on
icet Showed over the ridge; but IN one
4 instance it was aragrant COW, IN Tue othel
n, aaed negro on mule-back. But looe!
I Tlege can be no mistake this time, me
j da,cintr rise and fall OF % fcgtaercd nat,