Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-06-19
OR, LADY GILMORE's TEMPTATION,
az DORA RussEnH,
[ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
AUTHOR OF

l., tbe meanwhile young Gerard was
looming very impatient at his supposed
-s,,bar's heightened interview with the
-,isst It was his ordinary dinner hour
ore thing, and he was blessed with a
sso,bfnl appetite, and for another
,soaminglv by the strange laws of here
str. he alike lacked faith and reverence.
me is his fathers very son, - how
-,,sr bed Mrs. Brewster thought, as she
,..,,-a1 10 his careless words and looked
bis handsome face. He had, too, a
-,r nleasure-lovlng disposition, and q
,.,oin amount of personal vanity
-r,ob in his case was somewhat re-
u,orkable; the late Lord Gilmore also
borfnr been not a little proud of his
own good looks.
lie therefore soon grew tired of wait
Inn for Father Hayward to take his de-
,ort,re. and felt no scruple about going
ia,o tbe dining room, in the hope of
hnrrnr him away. But no sooner did
H. eprer the room than he saw some
thfug very unusual had occurred.
Ms mother was sitting with clasped
hands. looking pale-almost rigiG-with
an intensity of expression on her color
less face that ne had never seen there be-
fors. while in front of her stood the
fstber: with appraised hand, pouring out
words of admonition and warming.
Gerard glanced from one to the other
in surprise, and as he did SO, after
90 bar HAYWARD a
dressed him.
.,You have entered on a strange
scaue ~ he said, 'for ] came here on a
strange purpose, and 1 trust you will
NOW add YOUR entreaties to induce this
woman, whom all your life you have be-
npved TO be your mother, now to speak
the truth.
nIdon t understand what Won mean, -
answered Gerard sharply, and his face
flushed ''this is my mother, and 1
don't like to hear her spoken of in that
way.
As Gerald said this he went up and
nut his hand on Mrs. Brewster s shoul-
der, who, suddenly. as she received this
token Of affection, burst into a passion
of tears.
"Im the only mother he ever had D"
she sobbed; 1.-the only one who ever
loved him.
my son, she is not your mother. -
said the priest sOlemnly. 'Your mother
is Lady Gilmore OF Wrothsley, of whom
you may have heard, d this woman
was your nurse, and she and your real
mother in your infancy schemed together
TO rob you of your just birthright.
LADY Gilmore of Wrothsley, - re-
peated Gerard in the utmost surprise.
eyes, you are the late Lord Gilmore's
eldest son. -
Gerard looked at Mrs. Brewster, who
had now covered her face with her hands
and was sobbing aloud, and then at
Father Hayward.
al cannot understand ii, - he said;
eli this be true, what possible motive
could Lady Gilmore have!'
"A vain and foolish one, - answered
Father Hayward; 'tyou were born with
personal defeCt-a defect of the spine
and your father was angry that his heir
should bear this birthmark, and tainted
your mother with it in his injustice. And
to keep his affection, as she supposed,
she hid you away and pretended to her
husband you were dead, and your second
brother, Hugh. who was well formed
and handsome, was brought up as the
heir, while you were reared by Mrs.
Brewster, your nurse.
Every word of this speech stung &C.
rRrd 5 vain heart to the quick. His face
flushed and his hands trembled, and he
drew himself up III mute protest against
the reflection cast upon his form.
"You have outgrown it, my dear, -
wept Mrs. Brewster, who understood him,
There is little or nothing the matter
with you now. -
"lhen-is all this true?'' asked
Gerard slowly, after moments pause.
"ls-Lady Gilmore really my mother?
Once more Mrs. Brewster hesitated.
My daughter, you have virtually ad-
mltted the truth of my statement, said
Father Hayward.
If it is true you had better say SO,
SAID Gerard; land all can say If it is,
It was dsgraceful thing. -
Gerard! 1t was your motherl' cried
Mrs. Brewster, unable to bear this re-
preach, and starting to her feet. 81 did
not want her to do i'll prayed and
begged her not. Yes, it is true, she |
went on passionately, fiinging herself on
neT knees before him, and Selling one of |
MS hauds. 'NOu were a weak and sick |
" babe, and my lord was angry because
Tue younger boy was strong, and he was
naFd and cruel about it to my lady, and |
.Aey had bitter quarrel, and my lady |
look you and me away with her to the |
mouse in London, and when we were |
WsTe, she persuaded me to help deceive |
my lord, and tell him you had died of |
iever!H
1t was disgraeeful!" cried Gerard |
roughly, trying TO pull away his hand, |
0ul the poor woman chung to it.
II have nursed you and watched over |
you Tor twenty-five years, she wept. |
But for me you would never been what |
you are now-strong and well-Oh, for |
give me, Gerardl''
lie had kind, if a vain heart, and |
AIIer moments hesitation he put his
''ner hand on her gray head.
Well, it can I be helped now,'' he |
s1Iu' Come, get up. l don't like to |
see you kneeling there. -
Then will you forgive me?" she
asked humbly.
II seems to me that my other moth
81 not you, was the one to blame. But |
my mas she changed her mind, sir?'
le ADDED, turning round TO Father Hay
,aFu, after he had raised Mrs. Brewster
Up why does she want to acknowl-
yIss me now if she was ashamed of me
oe'oFe, though l don't see that she had
4uy reason, certainly -
ny son, great grief and trouble has
t so.l to her, - answered the good
amer; the son she preferred before
9Out and of whom abe mazda an earthly |