Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-03-21
LIVING OR DEAD.
A PosTHUMoUs PUBLICATION.
BY HUGH CONWAY.
Jcopyrightcd 1851

/ knew; but loved him, and life without
mis- love would be wretched; and then,
loved Claudine. As guessed 1t would
be, was called TO choose between tht
two.
For many years had known the use
| lessness Of appealing against any deter
mination my father had formed, but this
time implored and besought him u
withdraw his words. He was adamant
He spoke kindly, as one plying botll
himself and me, event. thought, as II we
were the victims of circumstances, not OF
his most unprecedented prejudice, pride,
or whatever 1t was. At last, sullcnly and
sadly, turned away. He followed me
and took my arm.
"Philip,n he said, "we will not again
speak OF this. Let things between us be
on the old footing until you write to me
and say that Miss Neville is your wife.
Then all will be over between as. have
had great disappolntments 10 life, and
must bear one more. Now the sun has
set, let us 90 home"
| remained few days longer at Tor
wood, but the subject was not mentioned
except once. | was most anxious to
learn If 1t was my fathers intention TO
emerge from his secluslon; II he had re-
turned TO England TO bury himself once
more in that lonely house with no COM
panions save his books, or at last TO
step out into the busy world and take
that place which his talents and bearing
rightly gave him. asked him the ques-
ton, and expressed the hope that the lat
ter might he his determination. lie
looked at me wistfully.
ut was my intention to do as you
wlsh,n he said, 'but since my return
have changed my mind"
knew his meaning. "You have
changed IL on my account" | said.
~ shall stay here for time at least,
he said, ignoring my question.
For the first time in my life | was in
clincd TO speak bitter words TO him. His
meaning was that, returning and hearing
my news, he had changed his plan of life.
But said nothing, although | felt that he
was treating me with great injustice.
had little hope, IL he once more settled
dowr to the life of recluse, that he would
ever be induced TO leave it..
Yet in everything else he was kindness
itself TO me. He showed me letter he
had written to Mr.. Grace, saying that the
ampest means were TO be placed ut my
disposal, and that he purposed trans
ferring large sum of money to me abso-
lutely. Ills heavy luggage was sent from
London, and when he unpacked the boxes
1 found that in every land he had
thought OF me, and carried away
some memento OF each. He brought me
back quite a large collection of quaint
and interesting articles, many of which
were of great artistic beauty and OF con-
siderable value; some, indeed, he must
have had much trouble In obtaining. How
was IL that, willing to lavish time and
money on my unworthy self, he could
find the heart to deny me my life's crown
ing happiness
With many question like this in my
mind left him to return TO town, where
another painful task lay before me-that
OF telling Claudine and Lady Estmere
what had occurred, or as much as | could
tell.
OF course | had written to Claudine,
and limited that things were not going
quite so smoothly as wished, and, of
course, Valentine had told Lady Estmere
something, so | went to the studio to see
my friend before ] called at the house.
at large canvas, on which
and crags we'll known to me. He wei.
coined me with smile of pleasure, which
told me that he In no way visited his UNI
ceremonious dismissal on my mead.
"Well," he said, show did you leave
my old friend, Mrs. Lee; and--I suppose
! may ask for him, your fathergn
"My father is lncompreheIsible,"
said. "Tell me what your mother says
"She Is vexed, OF course.n
"Not more than vexed?p
"Well, wouuded--but you see, Philip
she Is used TO trouble, and does not weai
her heart on her sleeve"
Valentines bright blue eyes grew very
soft as he spoke OF his mother.
go and see her, Philip" he said.
81 am goinga once. Tell me about
Claudine."
81 don't think Claudinc will TAX,
kindly TO her father-in-law; | can't say
more.n
"But she does not blame me?"
"Blame you! You didn't choose YOU
father!n
"You have told her he objects?n
81 haven't, but | suspect my mother
has. ! have no secrets from her, yor
! know"
AAVu NCuA dSIOSA 10 l4uuN Est
mere's house. She was at home
Claudino was not, but would return
soon.
! could not help feeling that there wa,
q little change in Lady Estmere's manner
| towards me- This may have been fancy
but II the difference was there It wore
on In very short time and her word.
and manner wore as sweet and kind as
ever ! sat beside her but for few
moments did not speak
''Hour father has returned, them she
said.
"lesi but his return has not made me
so happy as ! expected
Stew of our expectations of happiness
are fully realized,n said Lady Estmere
There was pause In the conversation. l
knew she was waiting for what | had 10
communicate TO her.
"Aly father, have told you, Is a strange
man, | began.
'From your account of him have been
compelled to think son
eyes, he Is a strange man; has lived 4
strange life for many years. He cannot
II seems to me, view things like Other
people. lie Is now cruel and unjust &c
! me,n
.speek gently, philip' he is your
iathern
"lie has taken some strange prejudic,