Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-04-17
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CHAPTER I.-NorHER $ HELP .

CHAPTER l.-MOTHER s HELP.
a dreary day; dreary within and with
out, as though the gray clouds wept over
the little house with the drawn blinds,
where widow and her children rrouched
together in the first dark hours of the
knowledge of their bitter bereave-
ment.
The blow had fallen so swiftly, so sud
denly, that the mother of the small
group of mourners felt utterly over
whelmed and struck down She had
risen on this duh November morning
and looked out on the roadway before
her modest suburban home, and watched
the dead leaves swirlIng III circles as the
wind swept them hither and thither;
and while her eyes followed their airy
flights her thoughts had wandered
vaguely on. Before the leaves fell
again Robert would be with her; Robert,
her husband IN India, for his regiment
was expected to return to England early
in the following year.
Mrs. Lotus sighed thankfully: what a
comfort to have him near her once more,
she was thinking; to look again on his
dear face. How surprised he would be
10 see Winny; Winny, the two years old
baby, whom she had brought home four
teen months ago, now grown TO lovely
child Of three. And Nanc7-their hand
some Nancy-bow proud father would be
of her.
Still thinking of her husband and chill
dren, and with q smile on her comedy
face, Mrs. LOTUS presently went down
10 breakfast and found her oldest daugh-
ter, Nancy, kneeling on the hearthrug,
blowing vigorously through pair of bel
lows at a newly-lit fire, whose feeble
flames gave out but little warmth.
''Such fire for you to come down to,
motherl' said the young girl, rising to
her feet as Mrs. LOTUS entered and kiss
ing her mother on both cheeks; "and
such g horrid mOTning!''
ITS very wet, isn't it?'' answered
the gentle mother.
There was a likeness between these
two-a likeness in the pretty, delicate
features, the dark hair and the brown
eyes. But Mrs. LOTUS was pale; a fair,
pleasing pRleness, while on Nancy's
round cheeks there was the freshest,
loveliest rose bloom.
land the chIdren?'' said Mrs.
LOTUS.
''They were not quite dressed when 1
passed the nursery. Here they come. -
AS Nancy Lotus said this rap came
TO the room door, and q dusky-skinned
ayah entered carrying MIR Lotus
youugest-born and followed by a shy,
misunderstanding girl of ten.
These three-Nancy, Millicent and
Winny-were Mrs. LOTUS three daugh-
teTs, and she had one son, schoolboy of
twelve. Nancy, the eldest, was in her
nineteenth year; a bright, clever,
charming girl the life of the little house.
hold, and the greatest help and comfort
TO her mother.
As Mrs. LOTUS kissed the children the
postmsn 8 rap was heard, and Nancy at
once ran into the little narrow hall TO
get rhe letters out of the box.
ga letter from India!'' she cried, as
she returned, waving the letter she held
over her head in triumph.
- From your father?'' asked Mrs.
Lotus, with glad smile.
"No, not from father-it is Major
Stanhope' 3 handwriting, I think - said
Nancy, and she put the letter into her
mothers hand as she spoke.
II hope began Mrs. LOTUS a little
DervOusly, and then she opened the let
ter, and as she read the first few lines a
crp of sudden anguish broke from her
fast-paling lips.
''What is it, mother, what is ito
exclaimed Nancy, as she ran to her
mothers side.
Your father!'' gasped Mrs. LOTUS.
as her head fell on her young daughters
breast.
''What has happened TO father?''
asked Nancy, but Mrs. LOTUS made no
answer. She had grown white, cold and |
faint, and sank down upon her knees on |
the floor, in spite Of all Nancy's efforts |
TO hold her up
The ayah put down the child and went |
10 Nancy S assistance, and together they |
lifted Mrs. LOTUS and carried her TO a |
couch. She was not quite senseleSs, but |
the look of dumb misery in her eyes was |
more terrible than If she had tainted |
''Oh! don't mother-don' t look like |
that!' prayed Nancy, kneeling down |
beside her and chatting her chill hands |
But still Mrs. LOTUS spoke no word; /
and Nancy, unable to bear the suspense |
any longer. started to her feet and |
picked up the letter that had dropped |
from her mothers nerveless grasp.
The news 1t contained was very ter /
Tible. 1t was written by an old friend |
and brother officer of Col. Lotus; writ /
Zen 10 tell ms vile that she was widow; l
his children that they were fatherless.
Major Stanhope wrote in deep grief and /
related in saGdest words the accident, |
while out pig-stioking, which had hap |
pened to the colonel and his friend. The |
Infatuated animal had turned, run be- I
tween the legs of Col. LOTUS horse, |
thrown him and when they lifted him up /
they found his neck was broken, and af- /
ter few signs Col. Lotus expired
Nancy read this dismal story with |
painting breath and starting eyes, and /
then a cry of grief burst from her lips
also, and the next moment she |
had flung her arms round her |
mothers neck, and was sobbing wildly |
on her bosom.
''Mother! mother how dreadtuI-how
dreadful" cried the poor girl; and iu-
stiDctively the half benumbed mother
drew her closer.
The two younger chiIdren-the sensi-
tive, pale faced little girl of ten-and |
Winny, the Daby, now, too, began to
cry. They understood something griev-
Gus had occurred without knowing what