Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-06-26


that day went to the farmhouse door and
stood for a moment or two on the thres-
hold with his hands in his pockets think
ing Of the future which now lay before
him, he suddenly perceived the tall even
stately form of Father Hayward ap-
proaChng him.
He went down the garden walk to meet
him, and opened the gate with a smile.
~ am an early visitor, You see, - said
the priest, holding out his hand; ''but
have had letter from Lady Gilmore this
morning; letter l wish you to see. -
Gerard s face naturally flushed little
ST this announcement.
s'She is most ANXIOUS went on
Father Hayward, that you should
start for Wrothsley to-day, for she was
not feeling SO well yesterday, and
breads that a second attack of paralysis
might seize her and again deprive
her of speech. You see how i'm
portsnt it is that you should go at
once?
eyes. 3" said Gerard casting down his
eyes.
lean you arrange to start with me in
an hour, then?'
"No, Pm sure 1 can't answered
Gerard decIsively. 81 could leave here
in the afternoon perhaps. -
"But then we could not reach
Wrothsley to-day, which 1 am most
anxious that you should do. Nothing
eau be of so much consequence, AS that
YOU should see your mother without
delay, so let me urge you to put
every other consideration aside. -
But Gerard still hesitated; he would
see May Summers before he went, he was
determined; but finally Father Hayward
persuaded him to promise to start for the
south at midday, and Gerard had thus
no time to lose. He went into the house
with the priest, who wished to see Mrs.
Brewster, and he told this poor woman,
who was very sad at the prospect of los
ing her adopted son, that she had to
pack his portmanteau for him; and then
he hurried to the village to seek May,
whom he found at home very busy, with
some household work IN the Kitchen.
Her sleeves were tucked up, and she had
large bIbbed apron on, and when she
heard Gerard IS rap at the house door she
went just as she was to open it, as she by
no means expected him at this early
hour.
With blush and start she recognised
him. She had spent very sleepless
night, thinking of the great change of
fortune which had come to Gerard and
which now, through him, was reflected
on her own life. 1t ed like dream
to her still, and yet as he stood there
before her it all flashed back TO her
mind, and also the incongruity of her
present dress and occupation to her
future state.
Gerard - she said, trying ner-
rcla har
round soft arms, "I-I did not expect
you so early. -
"May come in?" he answered. "Is
the old man in the house, May?''
mo, he is in the work yard. -
By this time poor May had got down
her sleeves and was proceeding to unite
her apron in the passage, when Gerard
took her i'll his arms and kissed her
afeCtionately.
"Ohi don't, Gerard feel so ashamed
10 be so untidy!' she exclaimed.
"Never mind about being unJidy; you
ere always pretty in my eyes you know,
and always will be. There darling let
me have another kiss, and now come
into the Kitchen
"Had we better not 20 into the par
lOr?' she said hesitatingly.
Nonsense, - replied Gerard smiling,
for he had generally been in the habit of
talking TO May in the kitchen, and I'M
derstood why she wished him to go into
The parlOr now, "'the kitchen will do
very well-for I've come on a sad bust
ness May have come to say good
bye "
The girls face quickly grew a little
pale.
mot today" she asked in low
tone
Unfortunately to-day; that priest
won I let me alone; it seems my mother,
Lady Gilmore, is most anxious TO see me
at once, as she is afraid of taking another
1T, and so Father Hayward got letter
from her this morning to urge him to
take me to Wrothsley castle to-day, and
though tried hard TO get another day or
60 here, the old boy would not hear of it,
and we start at II O. clock. -
"Oh, Gerard!'
NOW. May, darling, you've not to
look sad about il, "a continued Gerard |
again putting his arm around her slim |
waist; "you know what l promised you
last night, and l mean to keep my word |
and nothing shall turn me from it.
But don I you see its of great conse- |
quence that l should see the old lady at |
once. if there is any chance of her being |
Alagan for of course that precious youn- /!
ger brother of nine is sure TO make q |
light for the property and the title, and |
that kind of thing. So 1 thought it was |
best to 90 to-day as the priest urged it,
and We just run down to say word to |
you, and to tell you how awfully cut up |
feel at the idea of parting with you
sven for a short time.
land you won't changel' she an |
Wered taking his hand, and looking |
Eittfully up with her blue eyes into his |
face.
- swear l won It. -
"But as you are rich and have a grand |
name, fine ladies will be running after
you, Gerard, and then maybe you II
forget your poor little girl by the sea. -
'The fine ladies may run, but they |
won't catch me- laughed Gerard. |
Now, May, give me q bit of your
Pretty hair to take away with me, - and
ne earessingly laid his hand on her head
Is he spoke, land then il the fine ladies
you mention want to make love to me,
! II show them the little curl l carry
soout with me, and tell them 1 cut it
Hom my pretty sweetheart's head. -
And will you give me a bit of
!onrs?' she asked softly.
Of course answered Gerard, "but
must cut it with discretion" ne added
smiling, las am going into such grand
company l mustn t spoil my beauty, so
Naye you looking-glass here, May?"
90 - he Oh