The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1868-04-30

IL is no wonder that und the circnm-
stances. they were but silent 10 p snions
'"r most OF the return trip. hardi, any
o'os were EXCHANGED tHt The neces.a .ary
u'recI,cns Zoe steering. Flora sat there,
"er "n'.e hand On the tiller, her eyes fixed
Va. w 'ne tand' Where a. lasl they coull dis
uhgolsh the light. o: Scudpor,. Only every
Ho~ anu then with a. r.stl.s-ne-s s.,e
could not restr,in looking a, her watch
mi every'im: fe-lin a eo.r an.,ty nt
n" fr1gh'ful'y ranii tgl. 0 tim. V, if
.har'le mad kRvwn sne was by no MAN. so
angry at him as be feared, she saw that he
was miserable for her sake, aad felt in her
se>set heart, below all her annoyauce a
very tender compassion Coz him
When they came up the bay the tide was
against them, and the tilae tediouslv long
that was consumed In dragging the bo.t to
the shore 1t was years since Charlie had
pulled an oar, and stout man as lie wa. his
arms ached and his hands w-r. severely
blistered by the toll Bu, all tha, he ieit
vas nothing, he would have gladly .ug-red
!. lhousand tortures to have :ayed Flora
moments pain.
t.Tou .:a tired, Mr.. Wentx 5r:.,' she
said break N long silence 2, ,hcy nea--l
the shore, Il am sure you In1:t t,c r1.,e
worn out"
"Not much,'' he replied. "Bu. if were
Mrs. Templeton, i, would be z p!ea-4r= to
be fatigued in your service. assure you
if could by any possible sacrifice have
spared you tie annoyance Of t.is coming, |
should have been only too happy to have
thus proved to you my devo,ion.''
''Indeed, Mr.. Wentworth, 90 not doubt
that you have regretted this detention fully
as much as do"
''And / am afraid you viii de,est me for
having thoughtlessly involved you III this
scrape."
Flora colored, and under the noonbea.ns
Charlie could see the rosy glow tha. over
spread her face, just nov so pale.
s.Oh, no, Mr.. Wentworth, Go not blame
you at all, and l am sure it was in no wise
your fault"
''It is very kind of you to say so,' - sighed
Charlie, ''and l hope you won't think IN
kindly of me in consequence of this
''No, certainly rot Flora repi;el, and
then, in little confusion, she once more
consulted her watch. ''Five minutes TO
twel7e!' she exclaimed With almost a cr1
of horror.
"well, thank Cod, we are aims, at
home," said Charlie, and truly the boa, was
at last fast approaching the landing place.
A few more strokes, AMI they ran up
alongside The lox dock. The lights were
all out in the boat-house; there was 10 one
there to watch the tardy arri=al. Both
Flora and Charlie we're very glad Of this,
and as he assisted her out, she stole with
noiseless strps up the stairs. AID under the
piazza of the house. The clocks of Scud-
port struck twelve as she waited there,
while Charlie tied up the boat and reefed
the sail
Midnight She had actually been out till
midnight, alone with this young man. and
she wrapped her shawl around her with a
chill as much Of horror a, her position as
from the chill of the night air.
Charlie rejoined hr Wit, a step as noise
less as her own, and Flora could not rep, ess
4 smile At their stealing off like two cul-
prits, even in the midst Of her excessive
annoyance. But now the worst was to
come She was to face her uncle's and
,unt's inquiries, and as she went towards
The house, she felt each moment more like
q criminal approaching his doom. Charlie
the time in begging her to forgive
him for his indiscretion. an: Floras kind
words only half assured him. for he felt
every moment the growing embarrassment
Of his companion.
''And you won't forget me- entirely VII le
you are away with your gay frienis:. he
said.
''No, indeed. Mr.. Wentworth
'sOr remember me wholly as in ccnaec-
ion with this unlucky night
"Cer,ainly not.''
bov, 1onr will he -
81 hardly know-perhaps three OF four
weeks; though, for my own Part. l should
like TO return sooner. as l already long 10
see my little girl again
s.But she vas well when you heard from
her. hope" said Charlie, with an interest
he endeavored to make as pa,ernal as pos
sible
"Oh! yes, indeed: I know that she is
always we'll and happy with mamma: but
cannot help growing impatient after being
ong away from her.
They had reached Judge Dalton's horse
low, and Flora's heart was bea'!rg very
lisagreeably. To her surprise. The house
vas all dark not a ray Of light shane out
# the par or or secondstory winlo1s.
s.Oh, dtar!' whispered Flora, pale with
nnoyance, "they have locked me out
Il am so very sorry" protested Charlie
or the hundredth time. But I can soon
ouse them.'
'Oh! that is SO d;eadful." said Flora.
What will they think.''
''Is 'here No way by which you could get
n without their hearing you:' suggested
charlie. .sThey need not know how la;e
,ou returned. if they do not know wiien
ron came hore."
There was ray of comfort in this. Flora
,esitated moment, and then said:
ssMy room is on tn, ground foor.''
s.And are the windows low enough for
,ou TO climb into rhem.'
..Perhaps could; bnt oh! Mr.. Went
vorth, this is all dreadful
And indeed it is very Difficult, to describe
y any words Flora's painful emharrass-
nent in view Of her absurd and undignihed
position. If she could succeed in getting
n,o the house without detection, it was
certainly the very best and safest thing to
10, but the situation for 4 lady who prlded
herself on her dignity, was surely very
rying, to be clandestlnely sneakirg home
It midnight with young man was. to the
asst degree, uuconventional and her entire
confidence in Charles honor aione recon
,ilcd her to the alternative, she was sure
he would endure any hing rather than COM
promise her, and that the secret Of this
performance would be safe with him under
my circumstances.
The poor fellow was indeed very evident
" overwhelmed with regret.
: 81 know it, Mrs. Templeton,' he ex-
claimed. ut is very terrible for you, but
assure you l suffer more than you do in
his, and for your sake; and as God is my
l will die sooner than that you
hould be in any way injured by having
rusted to me-"
81 believe you entirely said Flora
rently, and for moment her hand tren-
Sled in Charles.
Then they stole noiselessly to Flora's
windows; one Of them was easily opened.
he sash was ul, ana the blind not secured;
but when she stood under it, the ledge OF
The window was above her head, and to Ell
f.c, an entrance seemed absolutely imrcs
sible.
II will jump in AMI get chair, and then
you can climb up easily," said Charlie.
There was no time tor remonstrance.
and in . moment Charlie had disappeared
hroueh the window into Flors's room
She stood there in the moonlight, thinking
with q vague horror Of what would De said
should ali this ever be known ana 'hen
she drew out her watch once more
TO one! Just then Charlie handed
=, L:~ ona snrauc down beside