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

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renee Estmere."
/ For which assertion ! thanked her II
the only possible way.
"NOw,n she said, 81 must not stay
here alone with you any longer; although
you are my first cousin, | must send FOR
the general and Aunt Selma"
I gr6sned "What shall dor"
"Dol Nothing, but receive their corr
gratulations. told the general q few
days ago that my engagement with that
Mr. Norris was at an end; and that was
going TO marry my cousin, Valentines
brother. He looks upon me4a rescued
from ruin, ami you as my sayior!"
The general and his sister appeared,
and was duly presented. ] quailed us
the eye-glass came 20 the aid OF those
terrible spectacles; but as the bearer OF
these optical aids was most friendly and
cordial, ventured TO hope had escaped
recognition. Selma knew me again. |
knew II by her look, But, as | found
aiterward that Claudine had taken her
into confidence, that mattered nothing.
Gen. Gore invited me to dine with him.
IL was pleasant dinner, except for the
fearfully hot ingredients Of some Of the
dishes. Claudine shonld have warned
me what TO avoid. felt, as | emptied
the water-bottle at my side, that few
years Of such a peppery diet would make
me as liyerless aud heart Iess as my host
himself; when a man can browse on red
and green chilies he must be beyond
hope
After dinner the general congratulated
me. He knew my father at one time, and
was delighted to hear he had emerged
from his mysterious retirement and Sc
clusion. Then he favored me with some
advice on the marriage state, which, con-
siderirg he was u confirmed bachelor,
was, no doubt, very valuable. He likened
wife to regiment. She should be gov
erned with firm but gentle hand should
be led, not followed. Small requests
which did not interfere with discipline
should be acceded to. There were many
little matters which seemed triaing to d
colonel, but which were to the regiment
OF the utmost Importance. So II was be-
tween husband and wife Give way in
little things, be firm in great ones.
This was also good advice, but, I'M
fortunately, the general was famous as
having been the greatest martinez of his
day
looked as grateful as | could, but my
gratitude was not assumed when he pro-
posed 10 Join the ladies'
"BY the bye, Mr. Estmere," he said as
we rose, il Is, Of course, no secret from
you that Claudine was entangled into au
engagement which now happily at an
end. The young man was needy ad.
venturer, sir-an adventurer
told him that Claudine had fully con-
flded in me.
"a young man without mother-and
whose father was abroad--Norris, he
called himself--a Devonshire Norris. Did
you ever hear of a Devonshire Norris9n
''Not that remember"
"No--nor anybody else. hampshire
Norrlses, Mlddlesex Norrises-never was
a Devonshire Norris"
As did not contradict MIN ne led the
way to the drawing-room
81 have been asking Mr.. Estmere, Sc
lino,h he said, "if he ever heard Of a
Devonshire Norris. He agrees with me;
there are none.n
He felt that this parting cut was due to
Claudine. | caught her eve, Hnd II needed
all my powers Of self-contro 20 keep from
laughing aloud.
! stayed al Cheltenham Tor a week;
during which Claudine and settled the
month, II not the day, when we were to
be married. Then went back to nssby
shire.
saw very little OF my father and
mother. Whilst | was absent, they had
settled upon going abroad for two or
three months. They were to go alone.
Even Valentine was not to accompany
them, but when they came back they
were to come back to Estmere Court.
told them what | had arranged with
Claudine. My father assented to my
wishes, as though the matter had been
foreseen all along. He only stipulated
that Estmore Court should be our home
III should have preferred commencing
housekeeping on my own accord, | dared
not hint at such thing-in my case, my
mothers appealing eyes would have
turned the scale,
So they left us, My mother, in spite of
her snow-white hair, looking as fair as a
bride, bound on her honeymoon. | told
her so, and she blushed as ylvidly as n
young girl might blush.
Valentine and were commissioned TO
see that everything at Estmere Court was
In readiness for their return. We spent
many delightful days In our future home
We reveled in the long-hidden treasures
which were brought to light,and carefully
checked OFF on bulky inventory brought
down by one OF Mr. Grace's Young men.
Cabinets of the rarest porcelain, chests of
exquisite old plate, hundreds and hundreds
OF priceless treasures accumulated by a
long line OF men of taste. To watch all
these brought out of their hlding-places,
and, at the command and pleasure OF a
gentlemen sent from London for the pur
pose, arranged in their proper stations In
cabinets, was indeed labor OF love To
and to me-
There was an immense amount of work
to be done before Estmrre Court could
be put In proper trim to receive its mas
ter; but, as no expense need be spared.
we hoped that all would be ready when
the wanderers returned from the Contin.
emit.
They did return in two months time.
but only stayed in Englaud for a couple
Of days. They came bacb TO my wedding,
Claudine and were married very quiet
Iy at Cheltenham, and then went off for a
long rambling deligh fuI honeymoon.
moving from place TO place at our own
sweet will, and with no purpose except to
enjoy ourselves. When we thought we
lad neglected our friends at home as long
Is we dared we turned our faces to our
Jew home, Estmere Court.
Valentine Is the first 20 welcome us, he
meets us on the road, and rides back at
he side Of the carriage. We reach the
Court, and on the broad terrace | see my
iather and mother standing, as noble and
lair types Of middle aged English gem
.lenan and lady as may well be met with.
Her hand rests on his arm, and he looks
AZ her with an expression OF great love
On his handsome face. His eyes light nm
IS Valentine, who has preceded us.
springs from his horse and takes his
station az his side; but as he grasps my