The Van Buren press., 1873-04-29
Iention from the unwelcome converse


address p asked the young gentleman
81 really forgot to get it myself, an
swered Annie; continuing: IL found
her in Blacks this afternoon. But /
shall call again before ! leave town, and
get it. You know she hesitated an
instant-"her circumstances have chang
ed very sadly since you knew her. She
is poor now, with few friends, of course.
This was said with little bitterness in
the tone, glancing again at Millie.
II you remember, De We're was the
Falconer, and Flory his bride, the very
last time | saw her, " said the gentleman,
who, much TO Miles annoyance, SEEM
ed determined to keep up the unpleasant
theme.
"And how beautiful she looked then
| do not wonder that he should remem
Der, and inquire often Of her. | declare,
they made an admirable couple that
night; he so dark and noble looking and
she such fair, tiny, gentle darling" "
Annie was interrupted by the servant
announcing:
Mr. De We're.
Howard De We're was, in olden times
a great favorite with the girls, and none
the less popular when, after an absence
Of five years, he returned from abroad.
Millio did her best to keep him as much
as possible from tete-a tete with Annie,
| knowing that she would receive all the
interests he had ever felt for Flory Court
! land. But her efforts were unavailing
The interrupted conversation was renew
ed, and joined by Howard De We're.
When he was making his adieus that cv.
ening, Millie heard him say to Annie:
"Te morrow evening Thank you
"Where are you going Annie p Mil
lie asked, when the door closed on his
rctreating steps.
"To call on Flory Courtland, Annie
answered.
Annie's reply put flight to all Miles
hopes with regard to Howard De We're.
"Annie Ellwood, she cried, what
ale you doing this for ~
"Millic, not to worry you, believe me;
only to comfort one so saddened, and
wounded by the heartlessness and cruel
ty of former friends Poor Flory! |
think, Millie, il you could have seen her
when she spoke Of meeting us to day,
you would have regretted yonr course
| truly believe she really loved You. And
you have wounded her 50 cruelly--just
because she was poor'
"No, no-not that only
Well only because you have not the
moral courage to put your arm around
this pure, gentle girl, and say to your
aristocratic acquaintanccs, this Is my
friend You know her origin is AS good
as any Of thcirs-better than many But
she is poor, and has to work for her dai
ly bread This is no crime. For this
you condemn and desert her." Annie
said, her flushed face telling how warmly
she svmpathizcd with the poor girl whose
cause she eSpoused SO earnestly.
The entrance of Miles parents ended
the conversation that evening, and 1t
never was resumed during the few days
more Of Annie's visit
Flory CORTLAND fitted about her little
parlor, arranging the few articles OF fur
niture, to make the room look as cosy as
possible Remnants Of happier days
were brought forth-statuettes and priz.
cd bcok--and then she sat down to wait
for her visitors.
The usually pale face was flushed with
beautiful bloom; tho bright light OF
hope beamed forth from her blue oyes, as
she murmured
/" He has not forgotten me.
That day, good little Annie Ellwood
had called on Flory again, and after hav-
ing secured her address, whispered;
"Leok your best to night, Flory. |
am coming TO bring your truent Falcon
er But his absence has not been his
fault. He has vainly tried to find his
bride many times. | met him last night,
and promised to bring him to you.
Fory's face crimsoned. She urged, in
a low voice. her changed position, hor
humble home. and ended by saying:
"Thank you, dear Annie; but i think
it will be best we should not meet. "
"No, indeed lie shall come with mo
And do all you can, you shall not escape
us. II you go out, we will wait untilyou
return, Annie answered.
And Flora, seeing how determined she
was, yielded to her friends desire, her
own heart pleading its cause all the time
With Howard De We're was connected
the only romance Of Florys life. When
a little maiden Of fourteen, he had been
her baau ideal of everything manly and
noble No one had ever usGrped his
place ia her heart since. Yet she never
expected he would ever be more to her
than memory of the past
Howard De We're was whole souled
noble hearted follow With his easy,
cordial greeting, he relieved the cmbar
rassment of their meeting. In half an
hour after he had entered her home, Flo
ra was chatting away, forgetting all tho
sorrows and changes of years, and think
ing only Of the present, SO happy and full
of hope. Yes, he had remembered her,
and fondly too, her heart whispered, af-
ter the departure of her guests, when she
sat recalling Howard's every look and
word
When Annie Ellwood had welcomed
Flora, the next summer, to her beautiful
country home, she drew the happy girl
closer to hor, aud looking into the eyes
so full Of love and peace, said:
"What tell.tale eyes you nave, Flor
enco !"
The bright flush dcopcncd on the swee,
girls face as she asked. in whispers low
"What have they told your"
THAT Howard De We're has won his