The Republican journal., 1873-05-01
Florence's Promise.

On Saturday morning, about the mid
die Of last December, might have been
seen getting into a second class car
riage at Oxford a man with rug, a
gun-case and bull terrier. That was
myself
At school |. Claude Henniker. was a
thorough failure-that is in the eyes of
my head masters and those whose bust
ness it was 10 assume the functions of my
dead parents. One of my guardians was
my uncle, Guy Henniker, my fathers
younger and only brother. who had in
herited all the family property, to the ex-
clusion of my father My uncle Guy al
ways used to say to me when [ came to
pay him my yearly visit at Christmas.
Claude, you're a lazy dog the only things
you take any trouble about are shooting
and rowing. Why don't you work, and
do something to make man of YOUR
self?"
1t was quite true rowed stroke of
my boat at school and wasted my time
My uncle Guy was childless; and dur
ing the four and a half years had been
at Oxford he had continually written to
me, asking about my progress, and adding
each time that if did well, | should never
iSSiOI IT, ~ lOlt bclOlt L went lDI
my last examination, | had the following
laconic epistle from the old man:
My dear boy-Write and tell me when you
can come to me. House nearly full. | have
kept some presents tor you. Mrs. Betterton and
her daughters are here. Don't forget to do well
IN Your examination TO please your old
UNCLE.
Delight at getting away from examina-
ton rooms and examiners, sorrow at
leaving Oxford, were mingled with anx-
ious thoughts of Flo Betterton and sur
misses as to the terms on which we should
meet.
During my first long vacation | had
met Florence Betterton down in Devon
shire, at lovely seaside place near the
Chase, where Uncle Guy lived. The
Betterton family had since that time struck
up an acquaintance with my uncle, and
now they were living with him. Florence
and ! had gone through all the stages of
vigorous Irritation in that happy month
at the seaside, when came down avowed-
ly to study Thucydides, but really to read
Tenneyson aloud to my golden haired
beauty. When we parted there was
clear understanding between US that we
were all in all TO each other backed by
distinct promise Of mutual constancy. Six
months afterwards | received a verbal
message through mutual friend that she
had ceased TO care for me- SO much for
the cause of my troubled looks when
stepped into the train at Oxford.
AT Exeter | got out | strolled to the
retreshment saloon. Hardly had / entered
the room when my attention was attracted
by two strangers, one of whom was tell
ing the other that he knew the way from
Broadbeach to the Chase quite well.
Hearing the man speaking Of going to
my uncle's place, | ventured to ask him
if he knew my relative He said tina he
did, and Immediately introduced himself
to me as Clarence Winning. His com
panion was brother officer, Charles
Dawkins
During the journey | had established
myself on a toerably intimate footing
with my new acquaintance Winning
told me that there were to be dances and
dinners, shooting parties and other gaieties
at the Chase, and that he intended to en-
Joy himself immensely, respectfully as
those divine girls. the Bettertons, are 90
ing to be in the house, No sooner had the
tain stopped at the station at Broadbeach
then we saw my uncle on the platform
with Mrs. Betterton and all the girls
Florence, Mary and Milly. Mary was
the eldest-a fine, handsome woman of
%, She always had been my great friend
in the old days when had been infatuated
about Flo. Next came Milly, she was a
sweet tempered. pretty little thing. and as
unlike her handsome elder sister as DOS
sible. Last, but not least, was nv Flor
ence. | used to think erperfect in those
days, and young mems impressions often
last till old age. Golden hair, dark eve
lashes, and divine figure.
Sunday was an uneventful day. Flor
ence kept her room all day, and Mary
stayed with her. Monday was the day
for commencing the serious work of the
day dolngs. We-that is, the men-were
going to shoot After dinner we were all
to go to dance given by Mrs Hughes,
10 honor OF our party. | shot badly all
the morning. We compared, and each
confessed being little down in the mouth.
we frightened up about lunch time,
when the girls were expected to come.
Then 1t flashed across me for the first
tlme-florence threw me over for Vim
ming. He certainly looked pleased VIII en-
the girls arrived.
We walked home with the ladies:
Again l JAILED to get an opportunity of
speaking to Mary or Florence by them
selves. Winning took off the latter, and
had to walk with Mary and Milly.
In the evening, however, was deter
mined that ! would speak and find out
from Mary, or even from Florence her
self, the mystery of her sudden change of
mind toward me. How lovely the three
sisters looked as they came into the room