Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-09-25
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CHAPTER xLvru.-A HE'LL ON EARTH.


at Gatewood Manor house on that September
evening when he had spoken TO her OF love
which had not grown cold, and he had never
again alluded to it. Two whole years! with
their changes and chances. and yet seemingly
rome had come to Nancy. Still she spent great
deal of her tine with Miss Clifford, though she
kept on her own house in town, to which she
had persuaded her mot her and family to re-
move. Thus when she went she found her
mother to welcome her-but Nancy was happiest
at Cateford. -
She said il suited the child best, and the hand
some little fellow liked i best, and all the sum
rner months were generally spent in this quaint
and quiet spot where only Nancy and her son
were young. But the revolving years mac
Dassed lightly over the head of the ancient
dame who dwelt among her old serving people,
in the old house where she had ived so long;
Miss Clifford was as sharp-tongued as ever, ana
more devoted to Master Tommy than ever She
had at last been persuaded 10 ask the other
boy" as she always called the little Loru oit-
more. over TO the manor house, and had oo-
served with satisfaction how young he looked
beside his stalwart cousin.
She also still continued TO regard NAL,
now Col Erne with the greatest favor. He
frequ ently came to Gateford, and II was secret
comfort to Nancy 8 heart to know that she had
friend-braye and faithfui-whom she felt sure
would stand by in any hour of need.
But they never spoke of If, nor of the love
they both now knew. But Sometimes MISS e,.as
of ners, wondered if Nancy regarded the hapd-
some loyal soldier, with any stronger feelings
than friendship. But if so she made no sign
and he made none. 1t was E silent compact be-
tween them binding to their hearts alone:
And it CHANGED two years AFTER. in the very
month, when for once Erne had few moments
loosed the strong curb on mis- lips. that ne was
again at Gateford. He had been on leave for
several weeks and Nancy and he had therefore
not met for some little time, but the day before
he had dined at the Manor mouse, by MISS I'll
ford's invitation, and had remained all night.
And after breakfast-in early mornlng-these
vyON yan ont into the Gewv garden, ana walked
pensively enough on the moss grown paths: A
handsome pair, and brave and honest both, their
Swallowed lives were yet sweeter 10 them for the
unaCknowledged bond, that bound them fast.
Yet they were talking in the mott ordinary way,
little dreaming that a change-momentous great
The sun was shining and the cobwebs spark
ling on the grass and on the boughs, and the old
trees around them were Just beginning to shed
the first leaves of the falling year. A peaceful
scene; the gray old Manor house standing as
background, and even the very flowers around
them telling of long bye-gone days; and pres
eatly the butler-ancient too-appeared advanc-
ing towards them, carrying on an antique silver
salver, large packet for Nancy, which the
early post had just brought in.
It was directed in the handwriting of her
mother, and Nancy opened 1t with a smile,
thinking it probably contained letters from her
brother and little sisters. But as she glanced ut
the superscription OF the inner envelope which
and her face grew suddenly very pale.
at is from escaped her lips.
'NotfGo Mr.. Gifford?'' asked Godfrey Erne,
sleruly.
YES faltered Nancy; Ill cannot read it
''will you sit down on that seat under the
tree there-and will leave you to read it?'' said
Erne, whose face also had grown very pale.
Yes - she said, for she felt faint, and her
footsteps stumbled. 1t was such q shock to
her TO see that handwriting again; TO have all
the past brought back 20 her, as 1t were in
moment.
Indicated snd then with a very moody brow he
turned away. Had the suspended sword fallen;
did the fsithless husband now wish to return TO
the faithful wifef
In the meanwhile. with trembling fingers,
Nancy had opened the inner large envelope
which contained several sheets of icreign note
paper covered with writing. They were num-
bered, ard number one began as follows:
"Nancy--I would not dare write this to you'll
should have no right to do so-but that am
diving man. All the doctors tell me cannot live
long; few weeks, few days perhaps; and
therefore venture. knowing the sweetness and
truth of your nature, to break my long silence.
al do SO for two reasons; l wlSh-lf you VIII
so far forgive me-to look once more on your face
and that OF our boys before lie; and wish
also for you to know the truth about that horri-
BILE night when the black misery of my life be-
gan. ] know that you suspected me, for saw
il written your shrinking face, and suppose,
therefore. during that mad fit of drinking had
the folly to indulge in, and through which you
so Loyalty watched me aud screened me IRON
the suspicious of others, that had uttered with
nv tongue some a illusions TO the haunting hor-
rors which maddened and pursued my soul
ITO tell my miserable story rightly, must
90 bsck TO the days when l quite young
man. to the days when / met abroad girl,
beautiful with the beauty of her race; She was
half English and half-Spanish, for her father
had married an And0lusian woman
Thus far Nancy read, and then q shuddering
cry escaped her pallid lips at this terrible con-
tirmation of her own suspicious. And the
moody proved man, who was pacing one of the
walks near. heard that faint cry and stopped to
listen. Again Nancy moaned aloud, and mo-
ment or two later Godfrey Erne approached the
seat where she was sitting with Hugh Clifford 8
letter lying open on her lap:
I'D rltr NJ har VIII ito fonn and
when Nancy saw him she put out her hand, as
if appealingly.
''Godfrey,'' she said in a low and broken
what is itq Can help you in anythings''
he asked, as he took her hand in his, for he saw
Nancy terribly overcome.
IL should like to go ln-he is very Hill
cannot finish this letter here answered
Nancy, in the same broken voice.
''Come, then,' said Erne, take my arm-it
10 only a few steps-let me carry your letter for
you;" 49,, > :. ,zo -.
and she clasped the letter still tighter in her
hand; and then rose tremblingly. and had ac-
tuallY TO lean on Erne's arm for support as she
tottered towards the house.
Miss Clifford. from her dining room window.
saw them walking thus, and noticed the deadly
whtepess of Nancys face.
Something must have happened" thought
the shrewd old woman: perhaps 1 had best
leave them Alone
She did not go out into the hall, therefore, to
make any inquiries, but a few minutes later
Erne entered the room looking exceedingly dis
turbed.
what is the matter?'' said Miss Clifford
sharply. HAS Nancy had amy bad news? She
looked as if she were going to faint
''AIr. Clifford is very i'll, - answered Erne with
reserve.
''serve him right" retorted Miss Clifford, yet
~ ore sharply. HE surely has not had the i'm
pudence 10 ask Nancy to so to nurse him?''
al did not see the letter. -
az shall see it, though! Where is Nancy?"
''She went to her own BEDROOM
Miss Clifford, therefore, at once proceeded
there as fast as her ebon stick and her ancient
legs could carry her.
She raped AT Nancy's door, but on receiving
no reply she turned the handle, but found the |
door was locked inside.
''Child, wish to speak to your she cried in |
ner shrill voice.
al cannot see anyone just now, Miss Clifford |
pRense don't ask me, - answered Nancy from |
within, and Miss Clifford could tell by her tone |
she was terribly agitated-
"Surely that man-Hugh Glford-'
''Oh! please go away, Miss Clifford, 1 cannot |
bear it'll" wept Nancy; and after moments |
consideration Miss Clifford did turn away, |
grumhling, and very full OF wrath as she went.
IL could not have believed she such |
fool she muttered griaily; crying about that |
man, indeedp'
compose herself sufficiently to go reading |
again the note-sheet she had been reajing in the
unfinished there.
ITO tell my miserable story rightly, must 70 |
bsckto the days when was quite young man; |
IN ha dav stvhau I ct sh virl ;s,,I