Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-08-28

|
laugh.
"Missing with some lady-love, nc
doubt" he said, scornfully. al
heard there was girl he lived with
down the river somewhere; no doubt he
has got tired of her and has run away
he II east up.
Nancy said nothing more. She moved
about the room and rang for Hugh IS
breakfast, and she thought by the face
of the man servant who carried it In that
he had heard the news, too. 1t had
already, indeed, been discussed down.
stairs and freely commented on. If
Gerard, Lord Gilmore, were dead, then
Hugh Clifford was the next heir, they all
said, and they respected the next heir
accordingly.
There were many versions of course OF
the same story, but the most generally
believed ore was that the unfortunate
young hunchbacked lord had been in
toxIcated when he entered the train =,
and had been murdered for his money
while in a state of semi-insensiblity
What had become of his body no one
cnuld tell, but the whole line of railway
| was being searched, and it was pro-
posed to offer large reward for its re-
| coyery.
|
| Hugh Clifford had of course been well
known in society as Lord Gilmore, and
the strange events which had deprived
| him of the title were also we'll known.
| 1t was strange If it should so soon go
back to him, people said; therefore the
| efforts of the police were followed with
the keenest interest. Only Hugh Clifford
affected utter indifference about 1t, and
| would shrug his shoulders when IL was
mentioned to him.
"He will cast up, you Will see, =" he
said, when he reappeared after his ILL
ness at his clubs, and some of his friends
began talking to him of his brothers.
strange disappearance; and he said the
| same to Nancy at home, the same to his
| mother when some rumor having
reached her ears about her eldest son,
Lady Gilmore wrote to Hugh to make
inquiries.
But during all these days the most
miserable anxiety hung over Nancy's
heart, and told 80 visibly on her appear
auce, that when her old friend, Maj.
Erne called one afternoon to see her, he
felt absolutely shocked. She was pale,
with violet rims round her heavy eyes,
in which there was strange new look of
fear.
"Have you been ill?' asked Erne
with real concern.
I've not been feeling well; 1 get
nervous headaches,' answered Nancy
without looking at his face.
al am so sorry; you ought to go down
and stay with Miss Clifford for change at
Gateford. She told me that was to be
sure to call on you, and also TO be sure
to ask to see your little son. -
"POor little babyl' said Nancy, with
tremulous lips.
erich little baby, Think smiled
Erne.
Nancy sighed and Erne could not uu-
derstand how even the baby now failed |
apparently to make Nanoy's heart more |
light.
''And this story about your brother
in-law,' he said presently. chow
much of it is true?" And he noticed |
that Nancy grew paler as he spoke.
al know nothing but what 1 have
seen in the papers - she answered. |
"My-husband was ill at the time when
Lord Gilmore is said to have disappeared,
and 1 was nursing him, and we heard
nothing of it for days-Hugh says he is
sure to cast up again.
"Yet the police think very seriously of
the case; believe.
"It certainly does seem most strange.
What does Miss Clifford think about it?''
"Oh, Miss clifford thinks it is only
fresk-that Lord Gilmore has perhaps
run away with some one.''
"Well, we shall know soon, sup
pose, - said Nancy nerYously.
''Time clears up most of things
answered Erne. ''But you must let me
see her boy ,as Miss Clifford calls your son,
or dare not face the old LADY,
Nancy smiled and went out of the
room TO fetch her baby, and returned
with him in her arms. A handsome little
fellow this, who put out his small hand
one of Maj. Erne g brown fin
gers, who stopped down and kissed the
little fist.
''He looks remarkably well; he is GER
tainly lucky little chappie, - said
Erne, smiling.
''Who can tell?' And she sighed, and
tenderIy kissed the baby's face.
They were still talking of him, when
another visitor was announced, and to
Nancy's great surprise Father Hayward
was ushered into the drawing-room.
The good priest looked very serious,
and having shaken hands with Nancy |
and Maj. Erne, he asked Nancy IL her
husband was IN the house.
"I have some strange news for him -
be said gravely.
''Not about-Gerard? asked Nancy,
With unmistakeble agitation.
eyes, about Lord Gilmore an
iwered Father Hayward.
''Have-they found him, them" al
most gasped Nancy.
The priest shook his head.
'Unhappily not-but can see Mr.. Gif-
ord?''
With trembling hands Nancy rang the
,ell, ana inquired of the servant if her
husband was at home.
The footman thought not, but went to
ee, and few moments later returned
O the drawing room and said Mr.. Clifford
vas out.
"Then can speak to you9'' said the
,riest.
"Yes-of course, - faltered Nancy.
Upon this Maj. Erne took his leave,
nd the nurse was sent for to take the
ably; and Nancy found herself alons | 1
Fith Father Hayward.
awe had q strange visitor at wroths-
sy yesterday ne began. ssBut VIII
on not aft down Mrs Gif;ordS Yau haze | c