Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-12-25

been spending such happy moments a
he had anticipated. The fact is, he hat
ridden out to Kopje Alleen with the In.
tertion of making what, in his limos
heart, he regarded as a magnanimou
sacrifice of his prospects. His love fol
Mary was still uniformed, a sentiment Of
affection lingering on the borderland oil
pity. Consequently, in his half formed
plans for the future, he had thought
only of himself, and had taken it as 9
matter of course that this country girl
whom he was about to honor, a7d for
whom he had already surrendered SC
much, would gratefully accept him.
He learnt that day that he had very
mistaken notions of Miss Rath he
knew che was beautiful, but he did not
know that when it came to a question of
which should be honoring the other, he
would be the honored one.
From what Pala had so audaciouslY
told him, he expected to find Mary over
whelmed with JOY at his return; but
instead, beyond that first swift rush of
color, she had been frigidly calm, with
a trace of that gracious sweetness that
was natural to her and could not be sup
pressed.
Blaine was puzzled at first then he set
himself to win from her some sign of
feeling, and in doing 80 his hating love
grew apace.
II was hard for Mary TO resist his win
ming ways and to show no sign, but
though her eyes were sad and her voice
sometimes trembled, she remained true
10 her unspoken resolution not to mar
Captain Blaine s proc pects in life by any
act of hers.
1t was kind of you,'' he said, at
last, in desperation, .'to send mes
sage to me by Pala. l have not forgotten
it, though you have.
A trace of color came INTO her cheeks.
az thought, - she said, az might have
asked favor of Sirayo. but he told
I'ala that he could spare no soldier
My message therefore could only have
raised hopes that were doomed to fail
ure, and bitterly regretted having
raised them. A load was lifted of my
mind when | heard OF your escape. -
She turned her eyes upon him with
deep look OF thankfulness
81 do not see, said Blaine, gloom
llv, "what Sirsyo had TO do with your
message, but ycu are perfectly right
in SAYING my hopes were blighted. -
81 am so sorry she answered
with slight Qulver. al told Pala to
tell YOU that your friends were working
for you, because l believed the chief
would have released you ia my re-
quest. -
'Was that all, - he asked In tone of
such disappointment, as to draw a look
OF surprise from her. ''Oh, l beg your
pardon, it was good of you to have
thought of me, and the knowledge that
you were planning for my escape
cheered me. Did Pala give you any
message from me?b
again Mary blushed. HPala, | am |
afraid, ia a very unreliable messenger.
The fact was the Zulu girl had brought |
back exaggerated messages of love from |
the captain.
"Did she not give you the portraits l |
gave into her care for your
HPortraits-no. What portraits?'
why, the portraits of my mother
and OF Kate, little friend of mine. -
Portrait of your mother. oh, what
can have become of il? l would have
treasured it indeed. l will ask Pala
about it. She has strange fancies and
may have kept them back
A shadow passed the window Dali
ston had paused outside at the sound of
voices and overheard the last few SEN
fences. He gathered from the words
that Blaine had not connected the por-
trait of little Kate Dalston with Mary
Rath, and that the latter knew nothing
of such person as Kate Dalston or of
The matrimonial projects capped out for
Blaine. Upon that Inspiration OF his he
rashly determined to act.
He appeared at the door as Mary was
rising TO call Pala, and his presence pre-
vented her from carrying out her lnIen-
ton.
She greeted him with look of deep
|
mood mistook for another sentiment.
They sat there silent trio, i'll at ease
with one another, the men Juggling at
their moustaches.
81 have not congratulated you vet,
Blaine, - said Dalston, putting his plan {
into effect, with brutal directness.
Il should like TO know upon what you J
can found your congratulations, unless
Il Is upon the pleasure of your pres I
anee. -
"That is scarcely gallant said Dali {
sion, quickly. then turning TO Miss Rath
with an ironical air he continued: 'Our s
friend here has quite "a romantic history.
tie has been lucky enough to be- be- i
rothed quite i'll the old style to an heir 7
'ss, who singularly enough is my cousin
suppose 1 ought TO envy him, but upon !
ny soul wish him good fortune. You
zee WY 'oupThtulRt9 you.
Blaine was disguised at the offensive q
manner in which this uncalled for dis
closure was made, but he replied quietly. /
al can scarcely see, Capt. Dalston, v
Why you should introduce a matter of no /
interest, and of such an entirely personal
hsracter. - c
Dalston laughed.
owen, 1t is OF great interest TO me,
or unless you marry Miss Dalston, / @
hare in the fortune. However, l take {
he opportunity of relluquishIng my L
lains and wishing you success" Ii
He looked at Mary, thinking he had
one an excellent stroke in knocking
Elaine out Of the running, and In
his own claims. How >
YER, her reply enlightened him. A
az agree with Capt. Blaine, - she
aid, gravely, "that it is scarcely Just to | n
Iiss Dalston to discuss her future in the
re sence Of q stranger like me- G,
'Thank you, Miss Rath, - said Blaine b.
"but as this matter, without
ny reason that can imagine, has been 81
arted, 1 may be allowed TO add fur b
Ter explanation. 1t Is true that certain
ans were made for my future, but II | d,