Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-08-31

was said, shot him hrst ana tnen sno
herself. because he would not fulfill hi
promise of marrying her--no doubt thi
Is the same.''
EYES," said Nancy, and she gavs G
little shudder; but she was not thinking
only that she was forsaken.
"You would like your mother with
ydu, would you not?' Erne said, the
next moment. 'Let me telegraph fol
her?''
''I would like her to come-oh! sc
much-but don t telegraph to her, for II
might frighten her-would it be q great
trouble to you TO go for her?''
''It would be no trouble whatever
but 1 do not like to leave you alone.''
"Why?' asked Nancy, and the color
flushed back to her sweet face, and she
raised her head little proudly. "Do
| you think such u lettsr as that, and
she pointed to the letter lying on the
table, "could break my hearth"
| Il hope not, trust not-I pray you
will never break your heart for one so
unworthy
'No; but if you will go for my
mother, Maj. Erne-and-aud tell her
1t would spare me some pain and shame
though know l have no claim to ask
this favor of you.''
mo claim!'' echoed Erne, and q
flush passed over his pale face, and q
great throb through his heart. But he
crushed back his thoughts-the thoughts
OF the sweet, bright girl he had loved
long ago-of the fair woman whose head
had lain on his breast in her great peril,
and who now stood before him insulted
and forsakeu.
81 will go at once, - he said, turning
n ia, hAn yE.t
hide his emotion. 81 know Mrs. LOTUS
address, called there this week,
though did not see her-for the present
then good-bve.''
He held out his hand, and clasped
Nancy's for one moment, and was
gone. After he left her, Nancy gave
one long, quivering. shuddering sigh,
and stood there with that haunting
shadow of her soul creeping still nearer.
80 He has gone because he IL afraid to
stay, she thought; "this woman is the
excuse. -
A little while later Maj. Erne reached
Mrs. LOTUS house in West Ham pstead,
and, to his annoyance when he was
ushered into the little drawing room, he
found another, and substantial lady,
seated there as well as the sad-faced
widow.
This was no other than "Aunt Fam
nie' (Mrs. Barclay who had an ap-
proving eye for woodworking young men,
and commenced smiling very graolously,
after she was introduced to him, on the
handsome soldier. This added not lit
tie to Erne's Impotence, and at last he
was driven to inquire of Mrs. LOTUS if
he could speak to her q few moments in
private.
"Certainly," said Mrs. Lotus, ris-
ing, while Aunt Fannie's cheeks grew q
dlngy red.
"If am in the WAY she said.
"Oh, no. answered Maj. Erne, |
':but I have a message for |
Mrs. Loftus-aud should like to speak to |
her few moments alone.''
Upon this Mrs. LOTUS led the way TO |
the dining room and Maj. Erne followed
her, and, having shut the door, COM
menced to tell his news.
81 have just left Mrs. Clifford, 5" he
'aid. casting down his eyes, for it was
Fery painful to him to grieve this woman
If many sorrows, "and-she wishes to
Iee you as soon as possible. -
Nancy! she is not ill, is she?' asked
he fond mother in quick alarm.
''No, not i'll; but am sorry to say in
great trouble.
"What is the matter? Oh! Mai.
Irne, you are not deceiving me about
Ter health. -
81 swear l am not, but she has had a
etter from MIR. Clifford this afternoons
most extraordinary letter.
'From her husband? He Is abroad-has |
nythIng happened to him?'
'He has written in very cold, hard
lords to tell Nancy-Mrs. Gifford-that
e has forsaken her; that he has gone to
i've with another woman
a sudden scarlet flush rose to Mrs.
,oftu5' delicate skin.
oil cannot believe it, she said
18th some .gnity.
1t Is almost impossible to believe it,
yet it is SO. MIR. Clifford has written
eliberately to tell his wife that he does
OF mean to return to her, and he has
lade all arrangements regarding money,
nd ex pressed a wish that she should
ther live with his mother, OF that you
lould live with her. -
'Ohi this cannot be truel''
Unfortunately 1t is too true, Mrs,
oftus; his conduct is simply disgraceful
and 10 anyone like
He did not finish his sentence; he biz
is lips, and suppressed the words he
In would have spoken, but Mrs. LOTUS
ever noticed his agitation in her own
empowering emotion.
"And did she send for me?'' shs
ked, TREMENDOUSLY. "My poor, poor
rl!'
Yes, happened to be calling on her
bid her goodbye, before 1 left town,
hen this disgraceful letter arriyed-and
e asked me to go for you, and tell you
contents.
ooh, my poor Nancy - said Mrs.
'ftus, deeply affected. "I DOM mind
ling you, Major Erne, as you are such
old friend, that have seen for long
at she was not hsppy-and lately she
s looked SO very i'll -
she looks Ill and worried-but this
an, her husband, said in his letter she
'uld be happier without him, and we
1st hope that she will be- -
And she wishes me to 90 to her at
ce ?''
Yes, if you can do so, 1 will take
back in the hanson / came in; 1
pit 1t waiting on purpose.
That is her aunt upstairs, Mrs. Bar
'y-I must say to her Nancy is not an
~ well, and wishes me to go to her n sg
IT say nothing more" ad
II you like, said Erne, who was al CO
Us considerate, az can go and talk to az az
q. Barclay whiIe vnu Daka o1r 49, -,