Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1871-03-09
THE FIERY FURNACE.
BY CARRIE a, WOLFE.

Philip, would liketo tell YOU some naws
but am notquite certain whether Won wonid
like to hear it," "'D'"
So spoke Miss Ella Bence to the talented
young teacher of the village school Pb;lin
Hays, as he was accompany ing her home from
singing school one night.
III it is anything concerning myself am
all attention. "a"
sit concerns me, Philip" ..-
hen 1t ought certainly tn interest me I"
Perhaps it will. What have to saw ia
this; am going to Chicago next week and
will not return until Spring, two mouths
hence"
''You ara in eanost, Ella BenceY
Never more so in my lfe."
ION, Ella, and in one aonth we were to
have been married"
81 know, Philip" she spoke in a soothing.
tone, for she knew that the man was Lnrfs
"but thought mig ht never again have a
good chance to see the world. Aunt Sarah.
who ia wealthy and childless, has kindly in
viled me to spend a year with her. Ikuew
you would not consent to nay staying Iopgor
than two months, so have sent her word to
that effect"
"And suppose do not consent to even that
long stay, how then, Ella1"
"Why," with little imperious gesture sI
would go anyway"
Even at the risk of my displeasureg''
even at so great risk, Mr.. Hays
''It is well to have found out that you do
not love me, Ella, before it is too late"
She looked up at him quickly in the
bright moonlight she could see how pale his
face had grown, and what look of desp air
there was in it. She had not meant III 10
that far; she could not lose him. She jslin-
quished her hold on his arm and placeb her
hand in his. Looking up beseechingly,. she
said in trembling voice:
81 do love you Philip Hays, and you know
it. did not think that you would object to
putting off our marriage so short time"
Then assuming gay tone, she continued |:
''Be generous, and let me go without quar-
relling about it, and ere you know it | will
be back again, and consent to be one of the
best, most stay-at home wives in existence. ~
''He could not be angered with the fair
pleader, so he answered:
$50, Ella, would not have you do one
thing against your will to please mel
so, thank yeu, Philip, know that you
would not care"
If she could have seen the spasm of pain
that contracted the mans features Just then,
she would not have thought he did not care
81 have only one request TO make Of you,
Ella, before you go, and as l will not see you
again will make it now. | want you to
promise, that when you regret the fact that
you are my promised wife, you will write me
these few words;
81 want 10 be released
81 declare, Philip, that is just like you,
looking for trouble away off in the future,
where there is not the slightest sign ofit."
"We will not discus that question now,
want your answer"
"of course promise, but rest assured,
will never have need of sending the message"
81 do not know, darling, you know SO little
of the world, and will be dazzled more than
you have any idea of. The temptation to
barter your hand for gold, will often present
itself, / fear"
"You have so little faith in my devotion to
you, Philip"
81 have reason to have
"oh, you are SO cross; here we are at the
gate, and | amiglsd oft, for believe we would
have quarreled in five minutes more, So
goodbye Philip l will write often, and soon
return to you.''
She held out her hands to him,