Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-06-19
THE WEEKLY GAZETTE: FORT WORTH THURSDAY.

yellow of ounces, the dull greens and
browns of almond and walnut husks
were everywhere seen. In the vineyards
| the stacks of boxes and throngs of China
| men told that the vintage was at hand.
At length they turned into a place
| which although much less extensive
and important than its neighbors, had
somehow a different and distinctive
look. Perhaps it was because of the
background of hills rising SO majestically
behind it; possibly because of the
fringe of forest trees at one side, or
the avenue of grand old sycamores
leading straight from the gateway to
the door. The gateway itself was
something to be studied. 1t was high
! rustic arch, and there were rude letters
above. The children spelled them out:
"S-o-m-b-r-a.
HSombra.' What does that mean?'
asked Martin.
cit is only a fancy-the name 1 call
my place. It is the Spanish for shadow,
and you see I am the shadow of the
hills. -
1.-THE shadow" Ned felt that the
name had some deeper meaning.
The garden through which they were
passing was unlike any that they had
ever before seen. 1t had none of the
stiff lines and angles which possess most
California gardens like a blight. This
was a genuine old fashioned garden, I'M
der new fashioned cline and in new
fashioned land. Rose hedges raised q
defense of flower and thorn about the
patches of green lawn. Sweet scented
white and purple violets fringed their
margin. Castilian roses rioted every
Tph al vi fra
GRANGE. There were tree-like fuchsias
and great clumps of pampas grass and a
hollow filed with fleur-de-lis of melting
colors. In deep pond gold fish glanced
and pond lily bloomed. The house was
SO lost in vines that it was impossible to
follow its outlines, but it had a strangely
silent and deserted look.
CHAPTER VIA STARTLING ADVENTURE.
elbow do you suppose I am going to
get YOU across the Rubicon, and why
DOM you ask after your freight" in
quired DR.. John, gaily, as he drove
down a shaded road at the rear of the
house. elbow do you know haven t
confsoated it, and may even now be
leading you into some dangerous pit
| fall?''
''You look as if you could be trusted -
said Hope, quantity.
Ned laughed boyishly, but Martin saw
DR.. John give quick, strange glance at
the little girl.
They soon came to the bank of a beau
tiful stream, with tall sycamores and
bending willows grazing either margin.
Beyond, on the further shore, was dis
closed view which filled them with de-
| light, for there, on a gentle slope, which
| seemed to be followed out of the noun
tains, was their own dear home to be.
| They had a glimpse of some rude build
| ings, then heard a low, contented
"moo,' and saw Beauty but few rods
| below them, grazing happily away for
the first time in her life upon legitimate
fodder. The children sprang out of the
wagon, and the horse was tied to a tree.
'Why, DR.. John, here's som ething
| that looks like a raft, - cried Ned bend
ing over and looking in the shadow of
the willows.
''It is a raft, - replied DR.. John, cor
at least it tries hard TO be one. 1t has a
good deal of business before 1t and we
must have confidence in it or perhaps it
will founder and go down. 1 think it
will carry everything but your horse.
He is welcome to quarters IN my stable
until Ned finds time to take him around
by the hill trail. -
a dozen times the little craft Travelled
back and forth across the stream. Beauty
made the voyage like an old and expe-
rlenced sailor, though plainly consumed
with curiosity to know what it all meant.
fYou II come up with us?' Dr.. John
asked Ned, as the doctor handed Hope
| ashore with grave courtesy.
''Not now Ned. have some patients
that must be off to see. Don't at
tempt to do too much to-day. Your
goods are perfectly safe where they are.
If you cannot make yourself comforta BILE
for the night-oh, well; l shall be over
| to see how your are DOING
was it any wonder that the children
could hardly wait to see him off, before
starting on their explorations? Hand IN
hand they climbed the brooks steep
bank, leading Beauty by her rope. Then
they paused, dismayed by the prospect
| before them.
Their way was barred by a miniature
forest of tall mustard stalks, twelve to
fifteen feet in height and an inch or SO in