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

soldier, but he walks with cane and limps. I
never saw tn EN- BEFORE
But DR.. John, after one hasty look 1.-THE new
corners, nisheG without word, ana nope
They were coming along the garden path,
looking at the roses on either side as tney az
vanced. As they beheld TIE bush beside which
stopped, electrified by the sight.
lis this the rose?T he asked. 80
"sir, you are''-began the blushins girl, with
S'Rcbert L. Marshall, of Philadelphia. And
this is my nephew, Lieut.. Hobart Marsnall,
from West Point. You see am here to answer isNea
your letter in person. You are Miss HOPE
Hustin?'' and he touched his hat, with stiff
military salute.
YES, SIR said Hope, simply. ,u,o ~.
81 happen TO be one OF the veterans W no are
gathering in California this month, - explained
Mr.. Marshall; 80 we must hold the Granq
Army responsible for my promptness; though al 4
am not sure but that the rose would JUSTIFY S,OOO
miles of travel 1t is magnificent
He drew one of the roses toward him and
studied it with the Of .fsa tSs s sby
at is entirely new, 10 the best OF my iudg-
ment," replied the veteran with de cision.
81 am so glad said Hope, with a happy
smile.
They passed on to the house, where, strangely
enough, there was no sign of the doctor. Inc
visitors took in the situation with ready tact
During a little lull in the conversation, the
boys, who had been chatting with the heuten-
ant, overheard the elder gentleman say to Hope;
beautiful hand for young lady. Allow me TO
congratulate you on it,. . -.
81 am sorry--I must confess-I didn't write II
myself, - replied the girl, flu Shing.
''Ahl One of your brothers, supposeT
''No sir. Our friend, DIR. John, drew up the
letter, to give me an idea Of what hat ought uc 10
better than my own that sent It,
The lieutenant gave light, boyish laugh OF
approval at this frank confession o Ills un'ie
"Dr. John. 4 peculiar name. What sort OF
man is this DR.. John, my dear, and where
does he live?''
Just across the brook answered Hope.
Gas to what sort of man he is. i don't think
any one person could tell you. You should ask
the whole district. He is the klndest ana most
thoughtful and generous"
Hope paused for breath. and the visitor, gave
her another keen look from beneath his shaggy
eyebrows.
All, and suppose this famous doctor is q
very devoted member Of the community Gets
his horses shod here, patroniZes country
butcher, the couHtry grocer, tailor, druggist
deposits his money in some grangers bank,
eh?''
There wss something so peculiar and signif-
cant in this question, following, as it did. upon
the others, that Hope hesitated for moment.
Martin flung himself into the breach
Yes, sir he stGutly replied. pr John John
ing village several miles away. Goes there
regularly every month. Says he wouldn't trust
another bank in the state. -
1t was the first deliberate falsehood that had
ever passed the boys lips.
The visitors arose 10 go.
81 must see you again about your rose, MISS
Hope said the old gentleman, kindly.
shall be in this vicinity for some time
Martin was not the only one who speculated
| upon the strange motives that had brought Col.
| Marshall-for they soon learned that was his
| title honorably won in the war of the rebellion
| to the little county inn, together with his
handsome young nephew.
At the village the colonel and his nephew
| posed as enthusiastic anglers. When they
| were not on the porch of the hotel or lettering
around the postofice, they were sure to be some
| where up the brook, equipped with rod and line,
| and fishing baskets which they oftenest brought
| back empty. They frequently called at Home
ranch, and often made errands there for fruit OF
! milk to exc out their MONDAY luncheon.
| Meanwhile the few who knew him best
| could not fail to note DR.. Johns strange be-
| havior.
| Mart in alone understood. The doctor was in
| hiding. Had he not seen face at DR.. John {
| upper windows stealthily watching the two
anglers as they lounged up stream? Had he mol
! seen DR.. john hurry out to the stable and drive
] off on a mad race over the country as soon as
| the two men disappeared from sight? Why dc
| the doctor only como over to see them when the
| colonel and his nephew had gone to the city
| And why did he ask him MARTINI to bring W
| his mail from the postoffice? Why did the
! hunted look on the Doctors face deepen day
after day, until he reminded the imaginative
| boy of some wild animal brought to bay?
| TO BE CONTINUED.