Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-08-07


s.she has got somethingto say to you-"
Something disagreeable, of course, inter
rupted Nancy. with . little shrug and smile
''she did not confde in me what 1t was; bus
shall repeat her words: VIII you go on your
way back to t S fs0 ane Ser
have got something TO say to her. And II you
like to drive her over tomorrow or the next
day to have luncheon here. / shall be glad 10
see you both, as You can have smoke while
am having my private chat with her.
Quite mysterious communication, de-
clare, - said Nancy; but her face flushed a mt
tie. She was wondering il Miss Clifford had
anything to tell her against Hugh.
"Then will you let me drive you over?'' asked
Erne.
81 suppose had better go, - answered Nancy.
''she is strange old woman, isn't shefn
Most strange; with curious insight INTO
the motives of the hearts OF those around her,
think. watched her closely to-day, and saw
she was planning something in her mind before
she asked me to give you her message
'iBut can you conveniently go tomorrow
81 can ARA nge to do with the general, II
tomorrow suits you better than the next day."
''Oh, all days are alike to me, said Nancy,
with little impatient sigh; 81 have no engage
ments.'
LET us fix the day after then; do you know
fancy IL is something for your dement, that MISS
Clifford is planning
at is to be hoped so-but you will CONF into
the house now, won't you?''
~ have delivered my message said Erne
smiling, land there is dinner party at the
generals to- day at which am bound TO appear.
III
horses head homeward; but 1 shall re-appear
on Thursday morning in time to escort you
safely to Gateford Manor House, for luncheon,
TWeli, must not detain you if that is the
case"
''Yet would fain liuger little longer here in
down that glade, look, Mrs. Giford-the gold
and mellow brown, and yon faint blue mist?
Certainly Wrothsley is beautiful places home
anyone might be proud of. -
'.Yet YOU see it's owner is scarcely ever here"
''You mean the present Lord Gilmore? Well,
he's little bit odd, you know, and may not ap-
Poor Gerard! l fancy he is at heart very
good fellow indeed, but his manner is so against
him.
Miss Clifford declared to-day-and 1 think SO
himself; in fact thinks himself dangerously at
tractive,'' said Erne with laugh.
How can that be, though his face is GER
us he Iike-Mr Gifford?'' said Erne with a
sort of hesitation, for somehow to name Nancy's
husband gave him vague feeling of discomfort.
Eyes, really very like in features, though you
could not offer greater insult to each than to
tell them So
at is strange said Erne, musingly; he was
wondering il there were any likeness between
the characters of the two brothers also; one OF
those subtle family inheritances of which we
find traces in natures seemingly so diverse.
But he talked no more of the Gitfords; he
shook hands with Nancy, and then rode thought
fully away, thinking as he went that her face
had grown sadder and thinner than 1t used to be
''And she was such bright girl-ah, well;'
and Erne sighed and wondered if Nancy had
been his wife. if she would have looked SO visit
full and weary as she had done to-day
And the message from tn, grim old lady at
Gateford Manor House, had not tended to raise
Naucy's spirits. She kept wondering what it
could mean, and Lady Gilmore. also seemed to
grow uneasy when she heard of it.
Her speech always has sting she said,
and her thoughts wandered back to the many
hard words she had listened to from Miss Gif,
tn he md
at the time fixed, Nancy did start for Gateford
Manor House, accompanied by Maj. Erne and
two grooms.
1t was dark lowering day, the sky heavy with
storm-clouds, while fiful wind rose and fell at
uncertain intervals. Altogether the weather
looked so threatening that Erne advised Nancy
to postpone her visit, or at all events to go in
close carriage. But Fancy preferred to risk it
in Lady Gilmore's pony carriage, and SO they
started. and arrived at Miss Ginord's house
without any misadventure.
1--WE won't get back without a wetting, I'm
certain said Erne. glsncing up st the gloomy
sky, as they reached the antique portals of the
Manor House.
I'VE can make the day an excuse for not
staying long she answered in a low tone;
and Miss Giford's first words were not
"Well, never expected you," she said, as
she put out her claw-like hand in greeting; sit
was folly to come with storm staring you in the
face.''
"Pelhaps il won't come until we get back"
''You'l IL have to make haste then," retorted
the old lady, and then she led the way to the
dining-room, pressing her guests to eat their
lunch as quickly as possible.
Erne also was anxious to go soon on account
of Nancy, and Miss Clifford made no offer for
them to remain until the threatening storm
eyes, we must not stay long," he said; but
Miss Clifford had something to say and she meant
to say it.
"Gome with me upstairs,' she presently pro-
posed, looking at Nancy; land Maj. Erne must
amuse himself with the claret and cigar until
we come back and sort of smile passed over
her wrinkled visage as she glanced al Erne.
Then she hobbled up the old fashioned stair
Gaze, followed by Nancy, and went into the yet
more old fashioned room, whose furnishing had
not been changed for seventy years. 1t looked
faded and drear enough now in the darklny
light and a short of shudder passed over
Nancy's frame as she looked around her.
Miss Clifford carefully shut the door behind
her, and then approaching Money, peering into
her face with her bleared- yet searching eyes.
81 told the young man downstairs to bring
you here She began, because 1 have got
something TO say to YOU warning to give
ga warning?'' repeated Nancy in a faltering
voice.
Eyes. warming; WHY is it you are not with
your husband. instead of your moth erin law?"
'Hugh--wishes me to remain with Lady Gill
more for the present-you see we have no house
OF our own yet hesitated Nancy.
But why have " no house?' went on Miss
Clifford: 1.-THE new lord h as given Hugh Clifford
q handsome income. an told can he not afford
TO take house for his wife out of it? He ought
not insist on it.
Nancy was silent. and cast down her eyes,
az warn you" continued the ancient woman
before her, stretching out one of her skinny
hands, and shaking bony finger as il to give
impressiveness to her words, Hugh Clifford is
not man to be left alone knocking about the
world. There were enough scandals and stories
about him before he married you, and take care
there are not scandals and stories after-nay, 1
am told there are
''Oh, do not talk thus to me. Miss Clifford -
said Nancy, in much distress. You see /
always feel did much harm to Hugh by
marrying him, that-that do not like to give
him any expense can help. and he wishes
me to stay on at present with Lady Gilmore
Your place is with him. interrupted Miss
Clifford, positively. land not with his mother
But he expense shall not hinder him from fur
nishing decent house for you. This is why I
sent for you o-day-ask him to take house and
member the furniture is yours. not his.'
at is very good of you, most good-I should
like house of my own rery much, but have
always thought OF the expense
"1hen don't think about it any longer; I'll
send you a cheque for the money tomorrow,
and take my advice and go and look after your
and Clifford least Of all. -
These words made Nancy very uneasy, and as
she stood hesitating how to answer them Miss
Clifford pointed with her ebony stick 10 the
gathering clouds overhead.
''Best make haste home now as quick as you
can, - she said; Il have said my say. and if
you are wise woman you IL not forget my words.
Now let US go down stairs and L II ring and order
your carriage round, for am certain we shall