Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-06-08

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| glanced at her as he passed them, aud
then looked at her companion, and as be
did so he slightly started.
The young man was a hunchbaok
Not one second did the father doubt as
his acute gaze fell on the handsome
| smiling face before him whose son this
was. Father Hayward had known the
second Lord Gilmore and remembered
well the laughing, careless, somewhat
reckless glance of his hazel
eyes, and the full lips shaded
by the thick brown mustache, and
the bright brown hair. He might have
been looking now on the dead man s
face, so remarkable was the likeness be-
tween sire and son. But Lord Gilmore IS
tall, straight, and powerful frame was
lacking. This young man, though not
little, was but of moderate height, and
was round-shouldered and hump-backed.
But he looked strong and we'll, and his
complexion was clear and sun-burned,
and he had the expression of q man on
fairly good terms with himself, and his
dress-that of q young farmer-displaysd
q certain amount of foppishness and
care.
'fCan you kindly tell me if q Mrs.
Brewster lives in that house?h asked
Father Hayward addressing him, as they
passed each other, and the young man at
once stopped, and touched his cap.
"Why, that's my mother, sir, - he
said, pleasantly; "do you wish to see
her?''
81 have message for her, answered
the priest; "shaIl find her at home7''
'Quite sure, sir; she rarely goes out.
If you will excuse me minute III turn
and 60 with you to the house. -
The father gravely bowed his head in
acceptance of this proposition, and the
young man ran on step or two to over
take the girl who had walked on when
the priest had addressed him. They ex-
changed a few whispered words and
then the young farmer returned.
"And so you are Mrs. Brewster's
son?'' said Father Hayward looking at
him intently.
eyes, Sir, am Gerard Brewster, ''he
answered smiling, "her only son. -
'And you have always lived here?'
"Yes, except when l was at school,
you know; but not at Craigside farm
house, but in the village
"And that young woman?n
'Oh, she's an old friend - said Ger |
ard, with laugh; 81 have known her !
since she was little girl. -
'And you farm this place?''
eyes, I'm a farmer; we took the |
farm, mother and 1, four years ago
low."
'Do you like the life?"
'it's not bad one as things go-not
money-making one, thought" And
lgain young Gerard laughed.
By this time thew had reached the gar
len gate in front of the farmhouse, which
ierard opened for the father TO pass and
ogether they walked down the neatly
,ept graveled pathway between the
lower borders, which were bright with
he spring blossoms.
The house itself was a most substantial
ne. Square, with long sloping tiled
oof, heavy stone portico and thick
rails. And from without you saw the
omfortable-l dark red damask
urtains within, and the neat white
linds. Everything, indeed, gave you
he impression that well-to-do family
we'd in this quiet spot, standing amid
he green fields with the distant sound of
he murmuring sea breaking on rock and !
lore.
1t passed through Father Hayward
lough full mind rs he looked around
nd then glanced at his companion, that
lie life here was perhaps a happier and
ore contented one for this young man
ian the life which lay before him amid
Xury anu rank.
FBut it is his birthright, his duty. -
lie next moment the good father re-
scted. remembering the interests of his
lurch. He therefore followed Gerard :
to the house, who led the way into a j
ell-furnished room, where the table
as prepared for the early dinner.
"l'l go and seek mother, - SAID
erard, with that pleasant smile of his,
ellis manner is better than 1 ex- E1
cted. thought Father Hayward, 81 ss
disappeared. "No doubt he viii
'rthily fill his new position.
But what would the reverend father
We thought if-he could, unseen, have
lowed Gerard IS footsteps? The Young
IN went first into the kitchen to seek
supposed mother, but was told she
d gone up stairs to wash her hands in -
sparatiou for the midday meal. ~
ither he followed her, and wrapped at
9. Brewster's bedroom door. and &.
wing been told to enter, went quickly ]
I say, MOTHER he began, ''there
,ne of those blackcoated gentlemen p
Tn stairs, and, of course, he's come ESst
get something or other out of US; it is 3
perfect nuisance. F.
: Do you mean priest? Gerard?'' an
cred Mrs. Brewster. II
he was gray-halred woman of some s.
ty-five or perhaps sixty-seven wears
dressed well aud respectfully, and
features were good, and her express
! determined.
Yes, priest, of course, - replied III
ard, with a shrug of his round Id
uiders. "What between the vicar =,
e and our people, they never let us
ne; please tell the reverend father
bankruptcy is staring us in the NJ
2, and he laughed. W
You should not speak so, Gerard, of al
good fathers; of course it is absurd "a
ne vicar coming to us. - q
They are all the same, - answered
graoeless Gerard. with a merry
Ice of his bright hazel eyes.
rs. Brewster looked at him. ana tn
ed too, and then patted his shoulders 10
ctionately. 81
You are bad boy, - she said indul- 81.
tly. "Let me see-where have =
my purse?''
lie purse was lying on the dressing
e, and Gerard snatched it up with a
laugh. R7
What have YOU got in it?'' he said.
nglY. -Four pounds. Mother, I'm 81.
VI h. IT.