Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-04-05


nothing with this beautiful, strong -willed
and Independent lassie. She was even
less courteous to him than she was to
the hard listed young workmen of her
acquaintance, and the pretty presents he
had sent her had all been returned to
him without even word of thanks.
BY this time Nellie and her unwelcome
escort were beside the well-known hos
telry at the bottom of Mitigate, and as
they passed inside together and mingled
with the throng of factory people who
crowded the lobby of the house, their
arrival was noticed by everyone present,
and afterwards freely commented on.
1t looked as if Nellie had arranged to
come in company with ''Master May
hew - and so it was understood by those
who witnessed their incoming. Nellie
knew that people would think this, and
she blamed herself for even permitting
the ''stupid fool IS she mentally
phrased him at that moment, to walk a
stride with her.
And the girl S annoyance changed to
stronger feeling when she perceived that
Mark Eliot was standing near the bar
talking to the landlord, Dan Ashton,
when she and Mayhem entered. She had
been quick to notice the swift look of
wonder that had flashed across his face;
then he had averted his head, and with
out another look in her direction had
hurried up the stairs to the room in
which the dinner was being prepared.
There is no occasion to dwell upon the
details of the feast. It will be sufficient to
say that Mark Eliot and Nellie Pemberton
were perhaps the only two out of the
hundred present who did not enjoy the
good fare Dan Ashton had provided for
his guests.
Although Nellie had endeavored to
give her red-haired admirer a wide
berth, he had continued to seat himself
at her right hand, and the meal had
only increased the feeling of annoyance
the girl had felt before the feast began.
Mayhem would persist in addressing his
remarks TO her, although he must have
seen that she resented his familiarity.
He smiled and smirked, made talk,
asked her opinion on this and that, and
all this was simple torture to the lass,
for she could see that Mark was taking
in all at the other end of the long table;
conld understand what CONCLUSION he
must have come to long ere this. He
would think that she had willingly, nay,
gladly awaited herself of Walter May
NEVIS company-would perhaps think
that she was in love with the vain, ire
pressible cad by her side.
AT length the dinner was finished and
then Dan Ashton rose TO his feet saying:
'FLadies and gentlemen-Before 1
propose the toast of the evening 1 should
like to make two or three remarks. L
dare say you have all wondered at one
time or another what prompted me to
give this dinner. Well, am going to
tell you. You remember that some
weeks ago there was big fire across the
road at Harwood IS, and you will also re-
member what happened that night.
The Factory Queen was in great danger
at that time, and she was saved by my
young friend there, Mark Eliot. I was
so much frightened when / saw Nelly
Pemberton on the roof of the burning
factory that l offered f100-and | meant
it, TOTO any man who would save the
lass. -
Dan paused a moment or two and
helped himself to sip Of the ale before
him, and murmurs of applause rose
around him.
"When the wench was saved I was
quite ready TO pay what 1 had offered.
But found to my surprise that the
young chap there knew nothing about
my offer, and he refused to put the
money IN his pocket. It's true, / assure
you, - the speaker continued, smiling at
the expression of wonder that fitted
across the faces of his audience; "he
simply said he couldn It think of touching
my money as a reward for what he had
done, and then l made up my mind to
give this stir to the Factory Queen, the
chap that saved her and her friends. -
"And now III give you the toast.
Here's long life ana good fortune to
Nellie Pemberton and Mark Eliot. All
fill up your glasses-every lad and lass
and drink. -
The glasses we're filled to the brlm, all
the company rose, and nearly a hum
dred voices cried with one accord
''Long life and good fortune to Nellie
Pemberton and Mark El1ot!''
Then the toast was drunk, and amid a
loud clatter of glasses the factory people
reseated themselves.
''Nellie Pemberton Will respond -
mine host exclaimed, knocking for ST.
lence on the table, and then the other
guests took up Dams words, and all
eyes were bent upon the beautiful fac
tory lassie, who sat there, red as rose
with her bushes, and void of words as
mute.
''Get up aud say something, Miss
Pemberton, Walter Mayhem whis-
pered. "Just word or two. They
won t be quiet till you speak. !"
With an effort the girl rose to her feet,
and speaking in low, tremulous voice,
said
81 thank you very much for drinking
to my health, and hope may always de-
serve your good wishes
She resumed her seat amid much clap
ping of hands and cries of 'Hear,
hear.
The blushing girl would have liked to
thank Mark Eliot for the bravery he had
shown in saving her that night when the
fire occurred, and the present occasion
was certainly the time for her to give ex-
preston TO her feelings on the matter.
But she found it impossible to voice her
gratitude at that moment with the eyes
of so many upon her, and she was forced
to resume her seat with her thoughts I'M
spoken. Mark - the whole company
even-would deem her cold hearted, I'M
grateful, but she could not speak then.
Now for Mark Eliot Dan Ashton
said, as the factory girl resented her
self, and the next moment the young
fellow was on his feet.
-