Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-08-05

Thirty years ago there was a grand
brick house standing in the midst OF a
sweet old garden on one of the pleas
ATTEST sites of the famous Richmond
Hiil. 1t had once been the residence
OF noble family, but II was at that
time only celebrated school for young
ladies,
The house itself was a plain, sub
stantIal brick one. and there Were plen-
ty in the vicinity that in every point
excelled IT, but nowhere was there
garden of greater lovellness than ITS
high brick walls shut in
This was especially 50 IN the morn
ings and evenings, when the alleys and
the hazel walks and the woodbine ar
bors We're fun Of groups OF beautiful
young English girls-girls with flowing
brown hair and eyes as blue ana clear
as heaven, and faces as innocent and
fresh as II each face had been made ont
I OF roso.
But even where all are beautiful some
one Will be found loveiicst OF all. and
Laura Faleoner was the Acknowledged
belle Of the upper class.
She was 10 years OF age, but she
stu fingered at Nine. More's school,
I partly because it had been her only
/ home for i've years ana partly because
! her guardian considered IL to be tAe
I best place for her until she was "a,
( when she would receive her fortune
and become her own mistress.
So Laura remained at mndnmes
studying a little. but still having
/ much larger amount OF liberty than
I that granted TO the other pupils This
/ liberty permitted her to shop with n
proper escort, and also to pay frequent
| visits to aoquaintances resident in Rich
| mund and London.
On une OF these excursions she had
met Ernest Trelawney, and It In OF
this gentleman she IS so confidently
( talking to her CHER friend as they walk
! In the loneliest part Of the garden to-
/ gether.
Il am so glad, clara. that we met
him this afternoon. / wanted you 80
| much to see Ernest. Is he not hand
somo?"
~ never saw such eyes, Laural And
his hgurel And his stylish dress! oh,
think he is SO grand and so--well
so mysterious looking, as II he was u
poet or something"
And then his conversation Clara
He talks as ! never heard anyone else
talls--so romantic. dear"
"Oh, think you must be a very hap
Ply girl, Laurai often wish | had
some one to love me as Ernest loves
you"
Laura sighed and looked up sent-
mentally.
you have a father aud mother.
Clara. l am quite alone. Ernest says
that Is one reason why he at first felt
as II he must love me"
what would Nine. Mere sayg"
Madame must not know for the
world. Clara. She would write to my
guardian. oh, Clara. l am going to
tell you a great sccretl Ernest and l
have determined to run away 10 Gretna
Green aud get married"
"Oh-h-hl Laura. how dare your
Madame WIN be sure to find 1t out. She
never looks as II she knew things, but
she always does. When are you go-
ing?"
Tonight. Ernest win be waiting with
a carriage at the end OF the garden
wall. / have bribed cook to leave the /
kitchen door unlocked. and | shall 80 I
through her room and down the back [
stairs"
Thus. until the o'clock bell rang. (
the two girls talked over and over the I
same subject and never found Il weari- I
some, and when they babe each other
goodnight In the long corridor II was (
very meaning one They were both
greatly impressed with the romance OF 4
the situation, and timid little Clara en- \
Wed and admired her friend. and could
not sleep for listening for the ron OF
carriage and the parting signal which
Laura had agreed to make OH her
friends door Us che passed IT,
Then Laura made her few prepare
tons and sat down In the moonlight
to wait for The hour. She thought Of
all her favorlte heroiues who had en-
acted a similar part. and tried to feel
as they were asserted TO have felt.
'Half-past eleventh
She rose aud laid her bonnet ana
mhntel ready. but. IN. spite Of her ro-
mantle situation, che was really chilled
and unhappy ana conscious OF a most
unnatural depression or spirtH
Just then the door opened softly and
Mime. Mere, with a candle In her hand.
entered the room. She was a very
small. slight woman. with a grave,
lovable face ana pair Of wonderful
the secret OF her power over the nfty
girls whom she ruled absolutely with
a BlaI ce or smile, She came gliding
In, more like spirit than a woman,
and. putting the light down. said:
Laura. 1 have had q dream, dear
girl--a dreadful dream--and / am
AFRAID. Let me stoy-here with you"
50 she sat down and began ia a low,
trembling voice TO tell OF Lauraa dead
mother, Of her pure lofty womanhool,
and Of her love FOR her child. Laura
scarcely heard her; the time was going
faster; II was close upon midnight;
she must make an effort at once. SO
during IA moments pause she said.
"Wlll madume try 10 sleep nowg
''Yes. VIII put out the light and
we viii both NY"
First. VIII madnme permit me to go
10 Clara'H room7 I have left my things
there. uhail not disturb anyone"
In moment nladame'a attitude
changed: her eyes scintilisted With
light all the carTessins tenderness and
sorrow Of her voice and manner wns
gone. She was like an accusing spirit.
Down on your knees false eirl.
whom no memory Of mothers love
could softeni Down on your knees.
and let your prayers strengthen the
hands OF those good angels who aIs