Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-08-03

Yes, quite immense; well. what is her mes
ssg.l"
sonnet hing disAgreeRble OF course, - inter
rupted Nancy with little shrug and q smile.
sne did not confds in me what it was; but
way back to wTothsiey she said, and tell that
young woman there that wish to see her as
have got something to say to her. And if you
ike to drive her over tomorrow or the next
day to have luncheon here. shall be glad to
see you both, as you can have q smoke while
am having my private chat with her -
quite mysterious communication, de-
clare, said Nancy; but her face flushed a lit
tie. She was wondering if 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 a range old woman, isn't she?''
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"
But can you conveniently go to morrow
81 can ARA nge to do so with the general, il
tomorrow suits you better than the next day9''
''Oh all days are alike TO me- said Nancy,
with a little impatient sigh; 81 have no engage
LET us fix the day after then; do you know
fancy it is something for your benefit that Miss
Clifford is planning
1T is to be hoped so-bIt you will CONF into
the house now, won't you?''
~ pave delivered my message" said Erne
generals to- day at which am bound to appear,
SO il you will excuse me shall now turn my
horses head homeward; but l shall re-appear
on Thursday morning in time to escort you
safely to Gateford Manor House. for luncheon
well, must not detain you if that is the
case
Yet would fain liuger little longer here in
the sunlight! What wonderful coloring there is
down that glade, look, Mrs. Gifford-the gold
and mellow brown, and yon faint blue mist?
Certainly Wrothsley is a beautiful place; home
anyone might be proud off,
Yet you see its owner is scarcely ever here
You mean the present Lord GilmoreH Well,
preciate country life.''
Poor Gerard 1 fancy he is at heart very
good fellow indeed, but his manner is SO against
miss Clifford declared to-day-and I think so
too-that he has a remarkably good opinion OF
himself; in fact thinks himself dangerously at
tra1tive," said Erne with a laugh.
tainly handsome?''
lis he Iike-Mr. Gitford?'' said Frne with |
sort of hesitation, for somehow to name Nancy's |
husband gave him vague feeling of discomfort. |
Yes, really very like In features, though you !
tell them SOL
at is strange" said Erne, musingly; he was |
wondering If there were any likeness between |
the characters of the two brothers also; one of |
those subtle family inheritances of which we |
hnd traces IN natures seemingly SO diverse.
But he talked no more of the Gifords; he |
shook hands with Nancy, and then rode thought
fully away, thinking as he weny that her face
had grown sadder and thinner than it used to be
And she was such a 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 the grim old lady at
= SateIora Manor house, had not tended to raise
Nancy'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 8 sting she said, |
and her thoughts wandered back to the many
hard words she had listened to from Miss Gift
ford's biting tongue. Nevertheless, she advised
a mt Ir1NTi tEff
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
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 a
close carriage. But Fancy preferred to risk it
in Lady Gilmore's pony carriage, and SO they
started, and arrived at Miss Giftord's house
without any misadventure.
I'VE won't get back without a wetting, I'm
certain, said Srne, glancing up at 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;
''wen. / never expected you,'' she said, as
she put out her claw-like hand in greeting; sit
vas folly to come with storm staring you in the
ace.''
Perhaps it won't come until we get back"
''You'n have to make haste then, - retorted
he old lady, and then she led the way to the
iining-room, pressing her guests to eat their |
unch as quickly as possible.
Erne also was anxious to go soon on account
II Nancy, and Miss Clifford made no offer for
hem to remain until the threatening Storm was
Eyes, we must not stay long, he said; but
Mss Clifford had something to say and she meant
o say it.
Come with me upstairs, - she presently pro-
'osed, looking at Nancy; and Maj. Erne must
muse himself with the claret and a ripa- uniiI | .
a n la road
Ter wrinkied visage as she glanced at Erne.
Then she hobbled up the old fashioned stair
more old fashioned room, whose furnishing had
ot been changed for seventy years. 1t looked {
AIDED and drear enough now in the darking
ght, and a short of shudder passed over
'ancy's frame as she looked around her.
Miss Clifford carefully shut the door behind
eF, and then approaching Nancy, peering into
81 told the young man downstairs to bring
GU here,' she began, because l have got | :
omething to say to you; warning to give
"a warning?' repeated Nancy in a faltering
dice. '
Eyes, warning; WHY is it you are not with
our husband, instead of your mother-in- law?'I
'Hugh-wishes me to remain with Lady Gill 7
lore for the present-you see we have no house
+ our own YETI hesitated Nancy.
But why have yen no house?'' went on Miss
iford: 1.-The new lord h as given Hugh Clifford
handsome income. an told; can he not afford
} take house for his wife out of it2 He ought
} be able to do so, and you are fool if you do
OF insist on it.
Nancy silent and cast down her eyes, I
81 warn you,' continued the ancient woman
afore her, stretching out one of her skinny Y
ands. and shaking bony finger as if to give
npressiveness to her words, Hugh Clifford is
ot a man to be left alone knocking about the L
orld. There were enough scandals and stories
bout him before he married you, and take care
ere are not scandals and stories after-nay 1
n told there are
''Oh, do not talk thus to me, Miss Clifford. - S
i'd Nancy, in much distress. ''You see 1
ways feel did SO much harm to Hugh bv | N
arrying him. that-that do not like to give
m any expense can help and SO he wishes
e to stay on at present with Lady Gilmore S
: Your place is with him. interrupted Miss
ifford, positively. 'And not with his mother. | v
Ut the expense shall not hinder him from fur
shing decent house for you. This is WHY 1
mt for you to-day-ask him to take house and |
will give you 1900 pounds to furnish it, and re-
ember the furniture is yours, not his.''
1t is very good OF You, most good-I should | te
&c house of my own rery much, but I have O.
ways thought OF the expense n
Then don't think about it any longer; I'll
ID take my advice and go and look after your
lsband. There's not one of them to be trusted
i'd Clifford least of all.'' CT
These words made Nancy very uneasy and as or
e stood hesitating how to answer them Miss .
ford pointed with her ebony stick 10 the u
thering clouds overhead. cs
Best make haste home now as quick as Won &c
n, - she said; 81 have said my saw and if :
u are wise woman you II not forget NV words CT
DIV let US go down stairs and L II ring ana order in
ur carriage round, for / am certain we shall n
We Storm - -
Five minutes later the carriage drove round pl
d Nancy, with Miss Clifford s ominous warn, q