Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-08-03

soldier, but he walks with cane and limps. I
never saw tn EN- BEFORE
But DR.. John, after one hasty look the new
corners, vanished without word, and Hope
was left alone to face them.
They were coming along the garden path,
looking at the roses on either side as they ad-
vanced. As they beheld the bush beside which
the young girl loitered. the elder gentleman
stopped, electrified by the sight
"sir. you nre''-began the blushing girl, with
dignity. ,, -,
this is my nephew, Lieut. Hobart Marshall,
from West Point, You see am here to answer
your letter in person. You are Miss Hope
HustinT'' and he touched his hat, with stiff
military salute.
Yes, sir, - said Hope, simply.
II happen TO be one of the veterans who are
gathering in California this MONTH explained
Mr.. Marshall; $50 we must hold the Grand
Army responsible for my promptnessi though
am not sure but that the rose would justify 500
miles of travel 1t is magnificent
He drew one of the roses toward him and
studied it with the eye of a connoisseur.
And is it really new?" asked the girl. sbyly.
sit is entirely new, TO the best OF my iudg-
ment,n replied the veteran with decision.
~ am SO glad,'' said Hope, with happy
smile.
They passed on TO the house, where, strangely
enough, there was no sign OF the doctor. The
visitors took in the situation with ready tact.
During a little lull in the conversation. the
ant, overheard the elder gentleman say to Hope:
Miss Austin, you write a very clear and
u
congratulate you on it,
Il am sorry-I must confess-I didn't write it
myself: F" replied the girl, flushing.
''Ah! One Of your brothers, l SUPPOSE
mo sir. Our friend, Dr. John, drew up the
letter, to give me an idea of what ought to
write. l liked the looks of his letter SO much
better than my own that sent it,
The lieutenant gave light, boyish laugh OF
approval at this frank confession. His uncle
rebuk ed his levity with 4 glance.
DIR. John. A peculiar name. What sort OF
man IS this DR.. John, my dear, and where
does he live?''
Just across the brook answered Hope
"As to what sort of a man he is. 1 don't think
any one person could tell you. You should ask
the whole district. He is the kindest and most
thoughtful and generous
Hope paused for breath. and the visitor gave
her another keen look from beneath his shaggy
eyebrows.
''Ah, and I suppose this famous doctor is a
very devoted member OF the community. Gets
his horses shod here, patronizes a country
butcher, the country grocer, tailor, druggist
e asPS'itS his money in some EFangeF'' bank
There wss something so peculiar and signif-
cant in this question, following, as it did, upon
the others, that Hope hesitated for moment.
Martin flung himself into the breach.
Yes, SIR he stoutly replied. DR., John
ing a village se~eral miles away. Goes there
regularly every month. Says he wouldn't trust
another bank in the state
1t the first deliberate falsehood that had
ever passed the boys lips.
The visitors arose 10 go.
II must see you again about your rose, Miss
Hope said the old gentleman, kindly. ~
shall be in this vicinity for some time
Martin was not the only one who speculated
upon the strange motives that had brought Col.
Marshall-for they soon learned that his
title, honorably won in the of the rebellion
to the little county inn, together with his
handsome young nephew.
At the village the colonel and his nephew
posed as enthusiastic anglers. When they
were not on the porch of the hotel or lettering
around the postoffice, they were sure to be some
where up the brook, equipped with rod and line,
and fishing baskets Which they oftenest brought
back empty. They frequently called at Home
ranch, and often made errands there for fruit or
milk, to exc out their MONDAY luncheon.
Meanwhile the few who knew him best
could not fail to note DR.. Johns strange be-
havior.
Martin alone understood. The doctor was in
hiding. Had he not seen q face at DR.. Johns
upper windows stealthiy watching the two
anglers as they lounged up stream? Had he not
seen DR.. john hurry out to the stable and drive
off mad race over the country as soon as
the two men disappeared from sight? Why did
the doctor only come over to see them when the
colonel and his nephew had gone to the city?
And why did he ask him (Martinl to bring up
his mail from the postofice? Why did the
hunted look on the doctors face deepen day
after day, until he reminded the imaginative
boy of some wild animal brought to bay?
TO BE CONTINUED.