Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-05-25

WIS 5Sub dhdy-
Lady Gilmore spoke to the butler for q
moment, and gave him some money and
the butler then led the way to one OF the
back entrances Of the castle, where q
carriage stood waiting for Nancy, and
having respectfully handed her into this,
and seen her luggage sent on light cart
the butler mounted on the box besides
the coaohman, and Nancy was once more
alone.
Alone with her bitter, bitter thong hts.
The poor girl indeed quite broke down,
and leaned back against the carriage
sobbing aloud, over this ignominious
ending to her sojourn at Wrothsley. And
the self-consciousness too that she was
not quite blameless, that she had been
foolish, perhaps imprudent, ranked in
her heart.
"Oh, what will mother say, what will
mother sayl'' she mosned half aloud;
and then suddenly remembered, with
burning cheeks, that Aunt Fannie was
also still with Mrs. Lotus, and Nancy
knew she had no mercy to expect from
Mrs. Barclays rough-edged tongue.
Her face was pale, and her eyes red
and swollen when she reached the sta
ton, and tremblingly produced her
meager little purse. But Graham, the
butler, observing this action, though
pretending not to see the tear stains, ad-
vanced in his respectful way.
'tMy lady, he said; "ordered me to
pay all the expenses OF the journey; -
and he at once took a first-class ticket
for Nancy and a seconded ticket for
himself; and, during the journey, at
each station, went to Nancy's carriage
door to enquire If she would take tea or
any other refreshment.
At one of the stations Nancy did drink
q cup of tea, for she felt faint, worn and
cold, and it was 10 O'Clock before they
arrived at Paddington, with the prospect
of long drive also, ere they reached
Nancy's little suburban home.
1t was a very dreary drive thisl
Nancy's heart sank lower and lower as
they went on, for she would be forced to
give some explanation at once, for her
unlocked for return, And the true one
was so painful, 80 degrading Nancy
felt. But ut last they reached the
Gin summer) pretty street in West
Hampstead, in which Mrs. LOTUS lived.
The cab stopped and Graham came to
the door to inquire the number of the
house, and Nancy gave it with falter-
ing tongue.
Again the cab stopped-she was at
home-returned poorer than when she
went away; and the two ladies in the
house-Mrs. LOTUS and Mrs. Barclay
hearing the ring at the street door, at
this-for them-late hour, listened
anxiously, while the new oue-maid of
the establishment with the exception of
the dusky- skinned ayah) replied to the
summons.
There was little psrley, for the maid
was a new one, and then Mrs. Lotus,
rising hastily heard her daughters voice
in the passage.
"It's Nancy!'' she cried, aud the
next moment she was clasping the poor,
weary, trembling girl to her breast, and
covering the tear-stained face with
kisses.
"My darling! What is the matter7
Why did you not let US know you were
oomingP' she asked, anxiously; and
then her eyes fell on Graham, who was
assisting the cabman to carry in the lug
gage.
The butler. seeing he had attracted the
attention of the sad-faoed lady in the
Widows cap, at once went forward.
"Pardon me, madam, - he SAID, 'for
intruding at this hour, but Lady Gilmore
desired me to see the young lady safely
home, and 1 have done so; L presume 1
am addressing Mrs. Loftus?"
eyes, am Mrs. Loftus-but why"
'The young lady will explain, - an
swered Graham; az think Miss, all
your luggage is right now?'
"Oh, yes, thank you, but must pay
the cab,' said Nancy, raising her head
from her mothers breast.
"That Is all settled,' replied Graham
respectfully; Sand now 1 will bid you
good evening, Miss, and hope you are
not very much fatigued after your jour-
neY?"
Nancy then tried to thrust one of her
last half sovereigns into Graham g hand,
but that dignifed man declined to re-
ceive any gratuity. He bowed gracely
to the mother and daughter, and then
closed the street door behind him, and
as the cab drove away, Nancy's head
once more sank down on her mothers
shoulder.
"My dearest Nancy, how pleased am
to see you again. said Mrs. Lotus
fondly, drawing her closer.
"Oh! but mother you don't know
such dreadfully disagreeable thing has
happened, " half whispered Nancy.
"Never mind, darling, when it has
sent you to me-tell your mother what it
u.s. uehE!
But Nancy found this beyond her
strength at the present moment, for
Mrs. Barclay, unable any longer to sup
press her curiosity, though she was ter
ribly afraid of draughtS, now advanced
into the passage holding her handker-
chief to her mouth, and looked at Nancy
inqulringly aud suspiciously.
"Well, Nancy, this is o surprise!'
she said from behind her handkerchief.
eyes, Aunt Fanny answered poor
Nancy in a subdued tone.
nCome into the sitting room, dear, -
said gentle Mrs. LOTUS, and when Aunt
Fanny had followed the mother aud
daughter there, after carefully closing
the door behind her, she once more re-
garded Nancy suspiciously.
"I hope, Nancy" she asked, "that
this does not mean that you have had
some disagreement with Lady Gilmore?''
Nancy was silent for moment, and
Aunt Fannie Immediately was satisfied
that her surmlse was correct.
"However did you allow such thing