Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-09-14

VINO spoke to none. This was Hugh
Clifford, the presumptive lord, in the
event OF Gerard's child not being born a
10y. as the title descended only TO the
male heirs.
Hugh Clifford had been summoned by
Mr.. Stafford, the family lawyer, from
Paris, TO attend his mothers funeral,
and this gentleman had also detailed 10
him the events which had happened at
the Ii tie riverside villa near Maiden
head; the fiudlng of his murdered broth
er's body buried in the garden; and the
expected birth of the child, who might
be destined to succeed to the wealth and
honors of the house OF Gilmore.
Mr.. Stafford also mentioned that n
warrant for the apprehension of Madame
de Costa and her two Spanish servants
had been issued, and that some police
officers had started for the south of
France in quest of this lady. He told
him, too, that his mothers sudden death
had been caused by the terrible news of
her eldest son 3 murder, and he plainly
limited to him that he thought he ought
TO be now in England to look after the
family interests.
To this letter, after q little delay,
Hugh Clifford had replied that he would
come TO England to attend his mothers
funeral, but that until Gernrd 3 child
was born, he did not care to interfere
with any Of the present family arrange
ments.
And he carried this out. He arrived
at Wrothsley only on the morning of
Lady Gilmore g funeral, aud he met Mr..
Stafford there and repeated what he had
written.
~ prefer living in Paris or somewhere
on the continent, at present. he said;
''for as told you when l wrote to you
about paying my wife the allowance and
the rent of the house in town, she aud l
have quarrelled, and l cont care to
come III her way. "
"But surely wi h so charming q young
lady as Mrs. Clifford, any temporary lit
tie quarrel might be made up, smiled
the LAWYER.
Hugh Clifford shrugged his shoulders
al the suggestion.
"No,' he said, 1--WE are better
friends apart; but of course you will let
me know when this child is born2"
"Of course; in the event of it being
girl you will be Lord Gilmore -
Again Hugh Clifford shrugged his
shoulders.
land in the even: of it proving a boy
l won 't?'' he said, with affected care
lessness. "Well, such is life.
This brie conversation took place be-
fore the funeral, which was conducted
with state and solemnity. and according
to the rites of the Roman Catholic
church, in which faith the deceased lady
had lived aud died. Miss Clifford, of
Gateford Manor House, however. refused
to attend it, and Mrs. Hugh Clifford
III do
more's sudden death proved a second
shock to Nancy, and Der nervous pros
traton was very great.
Hugh Clifford made no attept TO see her
during his brief visit to England, or to
hold any communication with her what
ever. He left Wrothsley half an hour
after his mothers funeral was over, aud
shuddered if struck with q sudden chill,
as he quilted the family vault, and drank
q great deal more brandy than was good
for him, the family lawyer observed dis
approvlugly.
II was gloomy day at the great house
after the old mistress had been carried
away and the funeral guests we're gone.
Many of the servants received month 5
notice from Mr.. Stafford, and only some
of the old retainers were kept on until II
was known who should actually be the
next owner of the great possessions left
by the first Lord Gilmore.
Mrs. Brewster remained as house
keeper, and Miss Pennythorn the chill
dren' governess, and Graham, the but
Ter, and few others; but the magniti-
cent state apartments were closed, and
their spendors hidden away from the
sight of man.
ms a bad business from first to
last 'Graham said to Mrs Brewster,
who wore deepest mourning for the
adopted son she had Loaf. eff only my
poor lady had let well alone, the place
would have gone on as it was, and Mr..
Hugh's son would have been the little
heir, and everything IS it should be. -
"They took my boy from me, and
nothing but evil has come of it," wept
Mrs. Brewster, who could not get over
poor Gerard IS sad fate. Eyes, she who
has gone has deal TO answer for, and
only wish had had nothing to do with
it -
MI. Stafford also arranged with poor
May at Maidenhead-the widowed and
lowly born Lady Gilmore-that for the
present she was TO remain on at the
Rookery; but of course in the event of
her child being born boy it would be
her duty, ne tod ner, 10 live IN the pTln-
cipal family mansion and rear her son
according to his future state. In the
meanwhile her father agreed to stay
with her, and his presence WAS a great
comfort and help TO the almost broken
hearted May, who, whatever Gerard's
faults had been, had loved him dearly.
Nancy heard of all these family ar
from her mother, while still
lying on her sick bed; heard with fast
beating heart that her husband had been
present at his mothers funeral, and she
was thankful she did not hear this until
at the same time she was told that he
had again left England.
Mr.. Stafford called on Mrs. Loftus-or
rather on Nancy, who was too i'll to see
gave Mrs. LOTUS this informa-
ton and told her, also. that until the
birth of Girard's child that Hugh Gif-
ford had declined to make any changes
whatever.
And not until nearly a month after the
discovery of Gerard's body, and Lady
Gilmore 8 sudden death, did Nancy leave
her bedroom ana appear downstairs.
She looked greatly changed and shat |
tered; SO changed that when one after
noon two days later, to her great surprise |
Miss Clifford walked into her drawing |
room, where she was languidly lying on |
Vn.l