Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-08-28
TEXAS THURSDAY. AUGUST 2s

wear plain gowns she has the air of an nrch-
duchess. Where did she learn such manners,
| papa desr7n
From the hills and fields and streams.
| Dame Nature is a noble teacher. Hope Austin
has no other way, my little girl, replied the
doctor fondly.
There was something very touching in the in
tercourse between this father and daughter.
Each seemed to be perpetually striving to get
years OF dearest companionrhip between parent
and child.
Med, hesr you have report from Wash
ington. What do the authorities say at last?''
inquired the doctor.
II don't think you will want to hear it all, -
replied Ned, drawing cumbrous document
stance OF it is, that our application is denied,
and we now have to wait three years longer, to
perfect the contingent entry made in our father
name.
WHO stands here living testimonial to the
wisdom of the decision,'' supplied the doctor,
smiling upon his whilom nurse.
Never mind. We can afford 10 wait" said
Ned, cheerfully. ''This season has put us well
ahead. We can AXE the house more comfort
able now, and add room or two. We have
been figuring it out, Martin and 1, and we
think that next year we can count upon clear
income of more than S10JO. -
''And an increase every year" began Mar
tin.
mot too fast, my boy warned the doctor.
''Phylloxera may lay hold of the vines, hot
northers strike the fruit new pests develop,
Recollect, too that the state is settling up fast;
the day for fancy prices has gone by.''
"At any rate, sure of a comfortable
home and an independent living said Hope.
lone of these days you may sell off few
acres, - resumed the doctor. with kin look at
Hope. ut will not be many years before your
level land will be worth $1,000 an acre. You will
al don't believe could possibly feel any
richer than do now. feel like millionaire
twice over" said Hope, drawing letter from
her pocket, which she read aloud:
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. -, 49,.
My DEAR Miss HoPE-After due consideration
nv car Nvh N ont nEl a {
over our black rose, We have decided to offer
you $500 and royalty Of 20 per cent on all our
am so sure that you have sufficient confidence in
me to accept my offer that take the liberty to
enclose my check for the frst-named sum. 1
should like TO have the plants, young plants,
shipped at once, that l may get them safely
housed for winter growth.
Please convey my wsrmest regards to DR..
Sherwood and his estimable wife, whom have
known from her childhood; also to their charm
ing daughter, whose compsnionship know you
will prize
Present my reLpects TO your father and your
brothers and accept for yourself the assurance
of an old soldiers stoutest devotion. Your
obedient servant. ROBERT L. MARSHALL.
And what are you going 10 do with your
check, Hope? Bank it, or invest in a gold mine,
iewelry-what?'' quizzed the doctor.
"a buggy replied Hope seriously. 1.-THE
most comfortable that can be found, SO that
father can drive about every day. Oh, he thinks
he IS as strong as anyone, but he ism t, doctor,
child. -
Cheerily as Hope spoke, Bessie Sherwood.
who was watching her narrowly, saw troubled
shadow on her sweet young face.
There clause in Col. Marshall letter
that Hope had suppressed, but that she could
not put from her mind. 1t weighed upon her all
the time like prophecy OF coming trouble.
Tucked away in postscript, at the end of the
page, there had been a few words addressed to
her alone:
MY nephew insists on repeating his visit to
California this coming year. He is a noble fell
low. Be good to him, my dear.
That what made it so hard. If he were
less worthy, she would not care much. But
TO inffict such pain upon him; to possibly be the
means of running his whole life.
Suddenly Bessie Sherwood, still absently
lowed the direction of her eyes.
Tom Bateman was coming up the path.
Yet Tom had less to say to Hope than to any
Of the rest. When he had exchanged greetings
with them all he turned to Ned.
What news from Washington? Is yonr claim
established?''
at will be three more years before we can
prove up, - was the reply.
You are lucky TO get through soon, Ned.
nary man requires to prove up'-to his own
satisfaction, to say nothing of anybody else,'
observed Tom, seriously, and his eyes for an in
slant sought Hopes, which were at once shyly
averted, while his mute question remained un-
answered
1T isn't ques tion of years. 1t is a ques-
ton of lifetime Tom, - said the doctor, earn
estly, but the quick touch of his wife's hand
upon his own, and her look of loving confidence,
seemed to deny the assertion.
THE END.