Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-01-24
THE GAZETTE: FORT WORTH, FRxAs SUNDAY JANUARY "a.

every time left Lady Estmere's vowed
/ | would 90 there no more, at least for
while. Every time found myself more
and more attracted by Claudine, and felt
that in allowing her TO disturb my
thoughts was doing my friend a wrong.
1 Yet without some better reason than
could invent could not avoid coming in
contact with her. She was about nearly
all day with Valentine. There we're con-
ccrts, Tower shows, and cricket matches
In the daytime, and the theater In the
evening. Valentine, who | suppose had
plenty OF opportunities for love-making,
was always anxious / should accompany
them 10 these places OF amusement,
0sce or twice when some other engage
ment FLASHED he deputed me 10 fiji his
pace and perform his duties Of escort
felt ashamed and false at the thrill OF
pleasure these requests gave me. To be
able to sit for hours at Claudine's side,
TO feel that she was under my care, TO an
tcipate all her wants, to pay her the usual
little attentions, and TO receive her
thanks for the pleasure of the
by the bitterness OF knowing that no
thought Of love should enter my heart
Sometimes Lady Estrnere accompanied
her son and niece She also was pleased
when ! made fourth. II was not long
before she confirmed Valentines words,
and told me that the cousins had been en-.
gagged for some years.
at has always been my dearest wish 70
see them married. she said "perhaps
after Valentine, | love Claudlne the best
In the world. They are engaged If an un.
dersianding that they are to marry some
day means engaged. But they have known
each other SO long, and been best OF
friends since childhood, that their be
haylor II often moie like brother and
sister than sweethcarts.n
So / went to work TO crush all thoughts
OF Claudine, except as u friend IN the
mud. pride myself on a certain strength
Of character, and called this 10 my aid
1t was fair opportunity TO try what II
was worth. As Is usually the case, the
boosted weapon failed at need. Laugh
at, condemn, despise myself as ] would,
could not keep from Claudine's side.
could not keep from admiring her above
every one; In fact, could not keep from
growing more hopelessly in love with her
| every day.
! | scarcely think IL nessessary TO say
that breathed no word OF what felt
Even my passion had not brought me to
such depth as that. ! could still meet
Valentines eyes and know | had neither
wronged him In thought or deed. II there
was wrong done | was the only sufferer,
and | would not complain. After a bit
began to pride myself on my self-control
So certain did feel Of my power of con.
cealing my feelings that put no check
upon my hidden love. ] made no more
promises OF not seeing Claudlne again.
could see her, love her, and keep my own
counsel, or thought | could do so.
Yet In about three weeks time noticed
a change In Claudiue's manner. 1t had
no longer that Of frank amiabllity. She
seemed TO shun me, and did not answer SO
freely and un 'estranedly. | fancled she
seemed afraid OF me. So different was she
from when first knew her that the pain.
full thought crossed my mind that my Sc
cret, yelled with such care from all, hac
btcome known to the girl, who despiseC
me for my treachery. At any cost now
must conquer myself II could not con
quer, fly! My cheek flushed with shame
: at my position Valentines friend
his mothers friend, and yet unable
20 fulnl one OF the first obligations o.
} friendship. Claudine alone knew my
weakness, and felt that she would no
betray mo, but I must y, no matter
where so long as | went speedily. We
: how undlguliied and childish such an ex
> treme measure seemed. ! knew that In
, weeks time her visit would be az an end
and she was going away for an indellplt,
! time. Surely | had strength OF mind I,
! avoid her during those few days. coul,
} excuse myself ON the score OF work, EN-
g0gemcnts, anything; and Claudine once
! gone the spell would be removed, and
should be myself again So be it,
: For four days | was adamant. Nalcn
tine in vain begged me TO come to st
Johns Wood, TO accompany him to ont
place or another. | could not plead worl
or engagements to him, SO was obliged 4
excuse myself ON the score OF not teelin.
well, There was truth In the excuse
The une0siuess OF my mind was workin,
on my body, felt Ill as well as mlser
! able.
'You do look bad" said Valentine
"but have an infallible prescription TO
you. My mother and | are going Il
| Bournemouth next week. It's not fash
lonable this time of the year but YER,
: Jolly; you must come with MS. We shat
stay month"
Sea air was exactly what | wanted
! Claudlne would be away. felt nuthnl
, would suit M better, SO accepted hii
! invitation readily, | made no my min,
! tina unless II was unavoidable, woulc
not see Claudlne, even TO say goodbye
! She, II the true woman thought her
: would know why | Kept away; and yet, n,
made the resolve, | lOnged to be com
PEELED TO break It.
| was compelled TO break It, In Oh,
: morning Telegram came from Valentine
Meet us ut THIS Floral hall You mus
! take Ciandine to concert y My hear
} lenpt. II was impossible to refuse
should see her again, SIT for nearly tire,
hours at her side; then could say adieu
, and for ever.
AT O'Clock was waiting ut the fora
, hall, Lady Estmero's brougham droy,
up, and out stepped Valentine and Claud
Inc. She started, lancied. as she caught
sight of me, but shook hands with quie
composure, Valentine put on poniten
! tial look aud turned TO his cousin.
! "Claudine, YOU must forgive me thi,
once am awtully sorry, but am bounC
To see a man on business this afternoon
SO asked Philip To take my place ant
take Charge OF YOU
: For the llrst time saw Clgudno lOukct
vexed and angry She looked nj Valtn
tine, and then after the retrcatlng car
riage. Had It not driven of by Valcn
tines orders, she would, no doubt, hay,
at once re-entered Il. She drew herself
up and looked very stately as she turnet
~ Valentine
Had | known you were engaged,
could have stayed az home; certainly
should not have allowed Mr. Norris to bC
troublp1 In tbiS AvaV ~