Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-10-21

never crossed their ehfeWdly simple
minds. The SICK mans rawlings Of bust
ness, travel and frisncs; his frequent
mention ct Freehold names snd localities
the tireless zeal Of the Lee brothers, and
Mrs. Phelps asseverations that, bus ioi
them, especially for the filisl support Of
that "noble Hollis" she could never have
borne up at all; Paul's devotion and
Sslome's utter prostretion Of sp!ritf-
were canvsssed as aninstedly au over the
town and suburbs as vas the surpicioCs
circumstance that her step.son's name
was rointedly avoided by the
amiable and discreet mstron. From
all that Freehold could discover
by tbe help OF ibis irgeuoue creature
$50 pleasant and fee spoken that one
couldn't believe she belonged to the same
family as that high and mighty stica,"-
and By aid Of the Fitceett opera glass
Rex Lupton went regulsTly to his bust
ness every day, st the usual hour, snd
WAS in nowise moved by the troubles OF
his is. er's old friends. E7en the wary
s.ep-mother surmiaed, rather than knew
that be did not sleep for single nigh. in
his room ell through toat terrible season
Of suspense; that when he disappeared,
Immediately after the dinner over which
he ssid little, and that in the coldest,
briefsst fashion, l. YVES to 60 into the
Phelps back door, ald not to emerge
from the house until the grty OF the hu-
tumnal dawn.
TIE secrecy ard reserve maintained BY
him and the family OF his betrothsd was
ominoue. Sic had no. once chsnced to
see Salome and himself together sir ce
she moment OF his return, from New
York, but she felt assured that they were
In regular communication, snd did not
delude herself with the hope that they, or
the mother who met her with grave
courtesy day after dsy, bad forgotten one
word uttered en- that afternoon OF surs
prised discovery.
Whether Richard Phelps lived o. died,
her last fight for the complement OF
ner unrelinquished purpose WAS to be q
duel, and with Ills wife. Without
making tho error of undertaking
her sDtagonIs.'s tkill, she felt
herself justified in counting upon her
ability to administer o coup de- grace,
within two minutes sitter the fencing
should begin. With NO heart of her own
to speak Of, she was well posted rs to The
snatcny Of the organ, and believed that
she had mspped ous that OF her opponen.
60 sklilfuly IS TO make nc wild strokes
IN feeling for the vital part. R=x's i'm
placsble temper toward heraelt p essed,
not wounded her. Il was an earnest thai
he would neither forgive Dor Forget that
double trescheIy CT which ste-the
mschiuator-held the proofs.
While biding her time, she was in train
Ing for the encounter, she went to bed
ssssonsbiy, ale TT asonab'y, and did not
neglect the out toor exercise necessary
TO keep nerves and brain in health.
On the eleventh dsv, the fever grad
uslly subsioed. On the twelfth, temper
sture and pulse were normal. On the
fifteenth, the patient was pronounced to
be out OF immediate danger. One bland
October day, four weeks after the after
noon passed with Mrs. Fitchett In the
parlor car, he was removed, partially
dressed, from the bad TO the lounge IN
his DRESSING room, snd called upon by lis
wife to admire the mEtchless garliture of
the elms and naples Of the lawn and
town, with the sof.ened coloring Of the
ILLS beyond.
Comparing the greater with the less,
the hillside on your left reminds me Of I;
my best India shawl" she said, play
ully.
He smiled, pressed her hand to lips
that quivered, and, holding it against the
thin cheek, lay Ice king out upon the tran
lu!l landscape until warm mist f)wed |
up between it snd his eyes.
The sweet, dreamy silence was ended
Oy James entrance with card.
Mrs, Lupton IS in the drawing-room,
ne'sm."
He almost smiled in presenting the sal
yer, SO unusual was the Formally Of the |
p:steboard.
Ssy thai will be down in few mo-
ments, James And Go you stay in the
next room and listen for Mr.. Phelps
bell"
1t was in evid nee of their appreciation |
Of the VISITORS love Of dramatic ef ct |
that neither husband nor wifs was sur
prised ct the stately preface to the mo |
interview. Hers was not 8
friendly csll. Sac intended that they |
s1ould comprehend this, and they did.
"Saould you VISIT anything, ring for |
M" continued Mrs. Pnelps, caimly.
"Sslome has gone TO ride.'
"With Rax Luptol?"
She had not Meant 10 tell hiu, bu. she |
would not des celd to evasion.
"Yes," she ssit, simply. Try and |
sleep when ydu age tired OF looking st
the view"
He clutched fold of her gown; pulled |
her down 10 him. Tie hollow, sad eyes |
gaz ID iDploIi1gly into hers.
"Dsrliug!" he ssl;, brokenly and fee
big. promise thst you will not les that
w0tn2n teach you TO bste mel"
Sne did rot seem disturbed ty the i'd
iuratior, although he cid not think tho.
strange then, CT unit | long siterward.
Nobody could do that, r chsfd!" she |
answered gently, putting back the hair
rom his sunken temples. you Should |
cot fear it BY Fowl"
81 should not! Blu. do! AMI
slways have been utterly unworthy OF
you, my sngelwife! Blu. you are my
Hife, dear-and however clrcums.antiai
evidence mny press you to the opposite
do love you with ell my
II art, soul and strength. I live bu. in
FOUR smile. Your frown would kill nat :"
"You are excited, Gear husbanc!" yet
more gently. "I DO not Ike to leave you
will send word to Mrs. Lupton that l
ammo! see her to day"
The relexsti of irexpress.b,e relief
'Eme into his face. Like other fAcile,
sse-loving natures he caught At the post
'oDemsnt Of pain be knew to be iasvita.
lie, as q boon OF price.
would you really be willing to put
er oft?" gratefully. 81 Shall be stronger
o. morrow, or next day. Better able TO
ssr whatever may come"
With an impassive countenance she
ummoned JAMES and sent her message,
I the same time dism.ssing him from (
uty.