Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-05-08


schoolroom {? He was still debating this
question, when as he stood by one of the
windows, he saw a slender, girlish figure
in black, pass down the terrace below +,
and descend the flight of marble steps
ana enter the park, and begin to cross it
by one of the side paths.
Here was his opportunity AS fast
then as his still languid footsteps could
carry him, he followed Nancy, but to his
dismay-for he was too weak to go far
Nancy went on and on, until
it was all he could do to keep
her in sight. 1t was fine,
bright, cold, winter day, and Nancy was
enjoying her walk, perfectly unconscious
that her movements were of any interest
70 anyone. But at the West Lodge gate
she turned, and began retracing her
footsteps, and quarter of an hour later
she suddenly perceived the figure of the
young Lord advancing towards her.
She knew at once who it was, though
abe had never before actually seen Gill
more's face, but had Just caught a
glimpse of him the day the children were
waving their handkerohiefs to hin from
the schoolroom windows. But the
tall slender form, the arm in the sling,
and the general bearing made her sure
it was Lord Gilmore; and she was about
to pass him without raising her eyes,
when Gilmore stopped directly in front
of her, and lifted his grey-cloth and cap
from his handsome head, addressed her
with a smile
al am sure, he said, "that have the
pleasure of speaking to Miss LOTUS; and
l am sure also that my little sisters have
often talked to you of certain graceless
brother of theirs.
Nancy blushed and bowed.
"You are Lord Gilmore?' she SAID.
"I am that unfortunate person, an
swered Gilmore still smiling, "snd am
very pleased to make your scquaint-
ance.'
care you better!" asked Nancy half
timidly; and for moment she looked
up at the good-looking, smiling face be-
fore her.
''I am better, but still most abomina-
bly, weak and shaky; you were not here,
were you, when that stray shot nearly
ended my useless existence?''
"No, 1 came very soon after
though"
"'May 1 turn with you. It's too cold to
stand?'' said GilU'ore the next moment,
and then without waiting for any per-
mission he did join Nancy, and COM
menced walking by her side. "Shall I
tell you how first heard of you-from
Sir John Cakes, - and Gilmore gave
little laugh.
81 met him at Lady Blenkensop's. -
$50 he told me, but 1 cannot possibly
tell you all he said about you; he made
me very curious, assure vou.'
Nancy made no answer to this.
''He's a nice enough boy,'' went on
Gilmore carelessiy, "his place is not
very far from here you know, and he
has lately joined cavalry regiment,
and seems very proud Of his embroidered
jacket.
81 thought ne seemed very good ma
tured.''
''I dare say; his brains are not of an
excitable or of so large an order, as to
prove burdensome should think. What
do you say?'
Nancy smiled.
81 saw SO little of him, could not
judge, - she answered.
"Yet in that short time,'7 went on
Gilmore, also smiling. ''You made an
impression on his youthful heart, never
to be effaoed, he informed me. -
'What nonsense.
"He at all events did not seem to
think SO; but let us talk of something
more interesting than John Oakes-tell
me something about yourself, and have
you not nearly died already of dullness
in the sohoolroom, where the hours of
my innocent childhood were so happily
spent?"
Nancy gave little laugh.
81 found 1t rather quiet at first,'' she
cof 7 4
more people at home, but get on very
well with my little pupils.
''And yet of all the opinionatIve little
monkeys ever came across, that child
Dossy is the worst. She airs her ideas
like a woman of thirty
''She is sometimes very amusing
''They must bore you awfully, 1 should
think?''
"Oh, no they don IT.
my mother has taken them to-day to
pay court to a terrible old relation of
ours, whose money-bags are her
only attraotion-a Miss Clifford, who has
the honor to be my grandaunt
'tThey told me they were going-but
Lord Gilmore, think 1 must say good
now
"Why?" asked Gilmore, turning
round and looking at her.
81 think 1t is time for me to go in. i"
Gilmore took out his watch.
1.-THE mother and the chicks, - he
said, "csnnot be back for two hours yet,
SO won t you take compassion on me a
little longer, Miss LOTUS? Have you ever
been over the place? Seen the conserva-
tories?"
'No," hesitated Nancy; "but I
think-''
"Do come and see them now, then. I
dare say, like all young ladies, you are
fond of posle?"
'fOh, yes, indeedi''
"Theu come and will gather you one.
II you will honor me by accepting it2''
Nancy felt this was too tempting an
offer to be refused. She blushed and |
smiled, and forgot for the moment all
the excellent advice of Lady Blenkeu- |
sop and her awe of Lady Gilmore. She
went with the young lord to the gardens,
which were of immense extent, and |
finally to the lofty conservatory, which |
occupied a central position in a long
range Of well stocked forcing houses, of |
which there were over twenty.
tOh, how beautifuli'' cried Nancy. |
ooking round at the glowing children of |
'very cline, all here blooming in rich |
One of the head gardeners came up to |
hem, hat in hand, at this moment, but
With q little naughty nod Gilmora dia