Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-10-29

| other too full for clear speech. he tried
again.
| you know my errand; you can meyer
know how fierce is the storm raging Mere
which has driven me to it!''
He placed his hand almost violently ON
| his heart rs he spoke, and, after Inbmepfs
! silence, drew 4 chair eagerly towards Fher.
WAS it necessary to add to my pain
thus?" She spoke these words in a slow
| undertone that quivered with emotion.
He drew nearer.
at was. My pain of suspense is torture
unbearable. You will not wish to prolong
| it,"
Il hoped that second thoughts would have
| brought Indifference, at least, on your side;"
| still in the same half-whisper.
''On my side-with love on yours2''
'Love?' 4
Love-
| Lady Ossulstone swept her eyes right
| round the walls with quick movement of
| her head till she gazed steadily into his,
now beaming with strange excitement.
| Her voice was clearer, but her manner was
calm as before.
| when did l give you the right to wound
me with that wora}''
do you deny it, Have you forgotten
, the temple, the frightened birds, your long
| ing for rest?'' He made as if to reach her
hand, but her gathering frowns dissuaded
him.
NO, L 10 HOt ubny. L UenN
''Did | wrong you, then, or myself, in be-
| lieving you encouraged me?'
Lady Ossulstone dropped her head, and
for moment kept silent. Then she re-
sumed in an earnest manner:
81 was careworn, troubled i'll you were
so kind; you overwhelmed me with your
sympathy"
'And you welcomed itr' he interrupted,
eagerly.
Il am womanH' was the reponse.
Blarnaby was racked with conflicting
| passions. He hardly knew what he was
saying.
do you desert me too2'
She rose to her feet, pitifully agitated.
'Forgive me- forgive mel What am |
saying9 If you but knew the blows the
cruel world is dealing me you would for
very PHYS sake give me your sympathy
nowi' His voice faltered as he made the
plea.
Quickly and clearly she said:
My warmest sympathies are yours,
and
And sympathy is love-say it-say it!''
81 dare not say what cannot ever beI'
Lady Ossulstone was pathetcally
emphatic. She walked hesitatingly to the
window. Standing by his chair, Blarnaby
controlled himself.
"You would have married me if" and
he paused, hoping she would end the SEN
tence. She turned half round and looked
at him with an expression of panied sur
prise. He continued, "if 1 were certain of
the presidency!''
She was still silent.
True sympathy does not desert the fail
ing-eyen were l failing mani
MIR Blarnaby, an end to this ~ and she
strobe hurriedly towards the door. One
short step by him intercepted her, and as if
sorry for her abruptness she paused, and
added:
''Why do you agitate me2 You are forcing
me to use hard words"
you are forcing me, Lady OsSulstone
into failure" adding with bitterest grief,
Unto despair!"
She sank upon q chair; he stood gazing
through the opposite wall. In a moment
she changed her tone, controlling herself
with strong effort to speak with ordinary
calmneSs.
THAT is painful for me to he told by you
Am to believe you mean it?''
Her practical tone disconnected him.
ITO fallure-probably to despair there
he clenched his fist and thrust it down by
his side) despairi no, never, never!' He
took few rapid strides away and, return
ing, eyed her keenly.
cling to me, fawn on me, grovel before me
while they think l am rising, and to-mor-
row will show them to YOU sinking away
from their defeated champion This is
man-nature, but l never believed it of
womanr'
Lady Ossulstone sprang up in indigna-
ton.
so you think you can sting me into con-
sent! For shame-for your manhood's
sake, for shame!''
Pardon me- he hastily stammered;
'.you see am
Il see you are agitated. I excuse you
l-yeS-l sympathize with you still. Let
US end this before" here she sank on her
chair again, overcome and hysterical.
He went to her and gently famed her
brow.
He spoke not word. She was leaning
her head on the tall back of the chair, too
distressed to speak He took her hand it
was not withdrawn. Her breathing became
calmer. Her eyes opened and were in
stantly raised 10 his. He stopped and
kissed her brow.
That instant the door opened. and in
bounded the girls, followed by Miss Benni-
son and Sir john
Blarnaby gaily apologized for longer
stay than he had intended, and for his
very inefficient skill in uinistering to any
one suddenly unnerved by an important
telegram. Now that he mad seen her lady
ship in such good hands he begged leave 10
hasten away to an important appointment
now seriously overdue.
WAT he may have surmlsed as TO the
conversation after his departure was no
great trouble to him after twelve hours
had passed. Next mornings Patriot con-
taircd this paragraph:
The aosurd rIriors of contemplated
marriage between Nh. De Witt NJ. Blar-
u3by AMI the C.s.llt-s, Of OSsulS.one are
wholly without foundation. and their cur
rencg las caused her ladyship and friends
considerable annoyance
TO BE CONTINUED.