Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-08-09

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Boullter. As 10 our plans, they were east
| ly framed, and the only thing TO do was TO
carry them out carefully managed TO be
free on the evening of the ball in such a
manner as not to run the chance OF arous-
ing Penny's suspicious; when he asked me
! In Perfunctory manner if did not wish
| to &c hesitsted just long enough TO make
| him think that | really did not care about
| 1t; and of course there was no difficulty in
! keeping my costume out OF his sight Emma
/ Naples and had agreed to dress alike in
| order the better TO be able to confuse our
friends. and we fixed on white dominos
| with tsssele6 hoods and white silk wizards
7 as our costume. Bran Boullter was TO call
! for Eanma and then go TO my mothers
! house for ne
! But on the evening of the appointed day,
when, after having seen Penny go off with
his cigar, had gone to my mothers and
was sitting in the parlor waiting. vas in
c,ihed 10 be sorry that [ had not agreed TO
20 with the captain. For On the afternoon
OF that very day something had occurred
which had considerably enlightened me as
I to the reason OF Bran's changed condition.
He met me in Walnut street and walked
home with me. It was a gorgeous after
noon; the russell bar OF the sunset Eioyged
At the end Of the vista of the street. fading
OFF into the cold pale blue OF the wintry
sky: the heaps OF snow and the darkening
paTemerts about Us were beginning to
chill the air which had caught little glow
Of chcerfuIness during the dag from the
siiNering sun; dark through the leaiess
trees In the square moved the hurrying
forms OF werkmen, and the crunch of their
ieet on the snow sounded crisp and strong
was glad TO be walking brlskly against
the empty cold; the little patches of dust
ed snow en- which trod seemed elastic and
InVisorating. When we came indoors out
OF the falling darkness | pulled off lny
seaIsAIn coat quickly anu ran TO the soft
coal Ire in the back drawing room and
stood looking into its elm blaze. shading
my glowing cheek with benumbed hands.
Presently began TO rub my hands over
the heat.
Are your hands cold'" said Bran; there
was \ deep trembie in his voice.
Yes" said l.
Without saying anything moro be took
one Of my hands in both Of his and began
strokilg 1t slowly. | looked up at him
quickly. The room was unlighted, save
10y the fire, and rs he leaned against the
mantel the freight hickered on his face.
A sudden apprehension took possession o.
De-h!s intent gaze mast mean something.
Is 1t possible" said my hand still Law
passive IN his-''is il possible that-thsst'-
THAT yon are the cause OF all my
troubles'" said ne Yes, it Is"
looked away from him ana into the fire.
NV first impulse had been TO draw my head
away instantly, but unfortunately | hest
tated. really did not sufficiently think of
the situation. Eran's presence That after
noon had somehow affected me. l had
been delighted TO Sc him when he stoned;
II was ike old times; | felt like his cousin,
his old comrade and the old forfness for
him returned, De it would every now and
then. All the way up the street had been
lightly remem boring the old days, aad now
forgot myself and delayed the instant OF
reason and reprooft Bat the fire gave Iae
no counsel. watched it for little while
n silence, knowing that his eyes were On
me all the time. Poor boy, poor boyi So
/ had been to blame for all his unhappi-
ness! l turned again presently ard looked
al him steadily. You SHOULD not say this
10 me" SAID. you must ga
He dropped my hand aoi left me- So. rs
/ said, was very thoughtful as sat inuy
mothers little parior and waited for him
and Emma Naples. Ny chief trouble was
20 fix the exact amount Of my own respon-
sibility, but the nero | thought the more
it seemed TO be reduced and though at fTrst
had felt almest 10 soft hearted about him
rs on that eyentful evening when had re-
fused him. finally, becoming somewhat
IN patient IS he and Emma Naples still de
layed, l decided that If anybody WAS to
blame Bran Bcoilter was, for had given
him absolutely no encouragement. and If
his foolish speeches 10 rie while we drove
through the park together had been based
upon the superstition that | was eGcourac- /
ing Captain Brague why he deserved the I
additional unhappiness which he would !
now receive from having mistaken nv |
when l told him not TO fear his /
fate too much. he need not run after me /
unless he wants to, said I, and Of course he /
must do 80 no longer. | was really sorry
for the poor boy; | seemed fated to destroy ,
his happiness; but l clearly was not to |
blame While was trying TO think over |
the best way TO reprovo poor Bran-iear
mel what an unnecessary amount of |
trouble l seemed 10 be having-the door
bell rang, and presently he came in alone!
Where's Emma? Where's Mrs. Ma
ples?" said L
She can't Co." said,he. Here's note
from her"
/ took the note-she simply said that she
had bad headnche and could not go; she
Vas avtully sorry and begged me to enjoy
m ysef without thinking of her. | unused
over the iettar for a little while. 1t was
NY duty, suppose, considering the cir
to give up the expedition. l
bad at last succeeded in justifying my 60
ng at ali on the argument that Mrs Ma
nles' presence would do away with all pos
'ibility of suspicion on Braa's part that
lad not mean TO be angry with him. But
aow?
Well, after all, what harm could there
Sc in goingi l had quite made up my
mind to be very serious with him, and in
he meantime there WINS NO reason WHY
hould lose any fun just because he had
'hosen to behave foolishly. When | lad
aus decided looked up and said calmly:
Then l suppose we shall have to so
without her. What a pity she is not we'll"
\ slight movement passed over his feat
Tres. could not detect It's import. Dear
ne" said to myself, 4 hope he is not
soing TO give me any mere trouble. At all
vents / cc.n treat him like stick of wood, |
nd il am inaoass.ve, what can he dor" All
t once remembered that my domino was
ut in the carriage, and stamped for a mo-
aent; at the end OF which time I had de-
ided that my costume WIS too coospicu-
us for me. and tsas l could very well
make Use Of an old black domino and mask