Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1889-01-13


| Mrs. Bruee-and found it. Never in
| her life had Fanny Forrest looked better
| than she did that night. Her eyes, her
| color, her smiles were radiance itself :;
/ her mobile lips curved over teeth as white
and cleaning as erystalled snow. Her
bare neck and arms beautifully moulded ],
were set off TO wonderful advantage by
/ the dress she wore-a marvellous gown of
| rich, rare, Iustrous black silk that fell
from her rounded hips in sweeping folds
| that the women could not sufficiently adj
| mire, while their eyes gleated oyer the
wealth of gold with which the entire
front from the bosom TO the very hem of
the skirt was heavily embroidered. An
aigrette of gold shone in the dark masses
of her hair, but not a yestige of gold or
gems appeared either at her throat or in
! her ears. In her jeweled hand
| she carried fan of black
| silk, gold embroidered like her
dress, and the tiny slippers that peeped
! from the hem of her robe were of the
sane material and embroidered in q
miniature of the same pattern.
! Fort Laramie never saw anything
handsOmer than that toilet, - whispered
Mrs. Bruce to the majors wife Mt the
| earliest opportunity, and the latter, kind
soul, was sufficiently melted by the sight
to think Of her neighbors and say: 50 How
wish Mrs. Jordan and Mrs Wells were
here to see it!
The dinner went off merFi1y as chimes
a marriage bell The doctor was in his
element when presiding at well APP
pointed table; his cook was one whom he
had had at Newport and Boston Harbor,
and a very reliable survivor as such char
aeters co. his wines were, some of them,
tients whom he had managed to serve in
the days when the sunshine of official
favor illumed his daily life; he had fund
of anecdote and table talk; his guests
were responsive and full of appreciation
of the entertainment provided for them.
Nellie, in her shy maidenhood, was
lovely picture at the head of
his board, and Holmes, who sat at
her left, was evidently more impressed
than ever sOn-in-law like that rich,
manly and educated, n leader of affairs
i'll the city where he made his hOme-the
very thought lent inspiration TO the doc
tor S life. If the judges and the sena-
tors of the east had turned their backs
upon him, here he could find new power
and influence among the active sons of
the young and vigorous west. What
pity What pityl he thought, that the
general commanding the division wa snot
here. He was coming, they. all knew,
and might be along any day. Now if he
had only arrived i'll time to be one of the
guests this bright evening who can say
what the effect might not have been2
1t must have been just before tattoo
after they had been at the table Il full
hour, and tongues were loosened by the
doctors good wine, and laughter and
jest and merry talk were going round
that Mrs. Miller, sitting on the doctor s
right, as became the lady of the COM
handing officer, was surprised to see the
hall door, which had been closed
throughout the evening, swing very
slowly a few inches inward At the same
moment the lace curtains that hung
about the aFchway leading into the par
lor swayed noiselessly towards her and
then settled back to their normal posi-
ton. Presently the major, who was
at Miss Bayard s right, and with
his back close to the hail
door, began to fidget and look I'M
easily about. The doctor was just telling
very good story at the moment and she
could not bear to interrupt him, but after
the laughter and applause had subsidized
she came to her husband IS rescue.
ffThe major is keenly susceptible to
bit Would you mind having that door
shut?''
(Which door, Mrs. Miller? Most as
suredly. I thought it was closed. Here,
Robert, - he called to his eolored serv-
ant. EGO and see if the front door is
shut, the wind sometimes proves too
much for these quartermaster 3 latehes -
he said apologetieally. "Was it shut?''
he asked, as Robert returned with an
injured air as of one who had been sent
on wild goose chase
''Perfectly tight, sir. Amt been
open dis eyenin since Miss Forrest done
got yePe - was Roberts prompt reply
81 sprung de latch myself to keep it from
fioppin open as it sometimes does. -
4" All right. Never mind. You feel
no draft now, Go you, major!''
Not a particle. 1t was all fancy,
probably - And the laughter and talk
began again.
Later that long remembered evening
as they sat around a blazing log fire, for
the night had been made chilly by the
rain, and there was much
mirth and chatter and gayety
Miss Forrest developed new
trait to make her envied. She sang with
infinite spirit and great deal of taste
NEHtG . PtaLO htAu hnOR1 nO SutH
former in the western wilderness as the
brilliant young woman in the lovely black
silk, whose fingers went flashing over the
keys, and whose voice came carolling
forth III rich and wonderful, notes. II |
was contralto, or at least deep mezzo,
and the songs she sang were well adapted |
to its low and feeling tones. Mr.. Holmes |
stood over her much of the time as she |
played, and applauded heartily when she
sang. % 1 did not expect to find such a
nightingale in the wilderness, - he said.
''You were looking for very different !
object, were you net?'' said she, raising |
her dark eyes TO his in deep scrutiny,
then dropping them quickly until the |
Iashes swept her cheek.
Possibly, - he replied with calm gray |
ity. 81 had several objects in view, but |
rejoice in visit that has enabled me to /
hear so cultured a vocalist. l wonder |
no one ever spoke of your singing before,
Miss Forrest
''Cease to wonder, Mr.. Holmes. 1t is |
the first time | have seen a piano in six |
months or more. We had none at Rob- |
inson, and | would have felt little like |
singing if there had been one. -
May l ask where you studied |
music?'