Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-06-22

mat day went to the farmhouse door and
stood for 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-
proaching him.
He went down the garden walk tc meet
him, and opened the gate with n smile.
~ am an early visitor, you see, said
the priest, holding out his hand; ''but 1
have had letter from Lady Gilmore this
morning; letter wish you to see. -
Gerard IS face naturally flushed little
at this announcement.
'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
portant it is that you should go at
once!
ayes. 3" said Gerard casting down his
eyes.
"Can you arrange to start with me in
On hour, then?'
"No, Pm sure 1 anti answered
Gerard decisively. al could leave here
IN the aIterUOOu peTudps-
but then we could not reach
Wrothsley to-day, which l am most
anxious that you should do. Nothing
can be of so much consequence las 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
TOT IIo, o-l
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
lie 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
2 large Dubbed 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 seemed like dream
10 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-
YOusly to pull down her sleeves over her
round soft arms, oil did not expect
yen so early
"May l 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 in his arms and kissed her
affectionately.
"Oh! don't, Gerard feel so ashamed
to be so untidy!'' she exclaimed.
"Never mind about being unuidy; you
are always pretty in my eyes you know,
aud always will be. There darling let
me have another kiss, aud now come
into the kitchen.
'Had we better not go into the par
lor?'' she said hesitatingly.
"Nonsense, - replied Gerard smiling,
Tor 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 OH sad busi-
ness May have come to say good
bye. -
The girls face quickly grew little
pale.
mot today" she asked in a low
tone.
Unfortunately to-day; that priest
won t let me alone; it seems my mother,
Lady Gilmore, is most anxious TO see me
Mt once, as she is afraid Of taking another
fit, 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 OF
go here, the old boy would not hear of it.
End we start at II O'Clock. -
"Oh, Gerard!'F
Now, May, darling, you've net to
look sad about it, continued Gerard
again putting his arm around her slim
waist; hyou, know what / promised you
last night, and mean to keep my word
and nothing snail turn me from it.
But don't you see its of great conse-
Ouence that shonld see the old lady at
III again for of course that precious youn-
ger brother OF NINE is sure 10 make
light for the property and the title, and
that kind of thing. So [ thought il was
best to go to-day as the priest urged 1t,
and I've just run down to say word to
you, and to tell you how awfully cut up
feel at the idea of parting with you
even for a short time.
land you won't change!' she an
swered taking his hand, and looking
wiftfully up with her blue eyes into his
face.
81 swear I won't.
but as you are rich and have grand
name, fine ladies will be running after
you, Gerard, and then maybe you II
forget your poor little girl by the sea.
1.-THE fine ladies may run, but they
won't catch me- laughed Gerard.
Now, May, give me a bit of your
pre- tty hair to take away with me, and
he caressingly laid his hand on her head
as he spoke, land then IL the fine ladies
you mention want to make love to me,
! II show them the little curl carry
about with me, and tell them cut 1t
from my pretty sweetheart's head.
"And will you give me bit of
yours?'' she asked softly.
''Of course - answered Gerard, "but
! must cut it with discretion, - ne added
smiling, .sas am going into such grand
company muslin Z spoil my beauty, so
have you looking glass here, Aay?'
She went TO one of the shelves on the
kffnhau wall and took down a small.