Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-03-07

"Miss Florence Packard cannot
see her, Emily-I cannot see her. Tell
her l am indisposed. Offer any excuse
you think proper, for cannot-dare
not see her to-day"
II explained your feeble condition TO
her, John, but instead of Withdrawing,
she seemed to be more anxious to see
you than BEFORE" said Emily.
"Tell her | will be better tomorrow,
and will call upon her. Tell her.
The door opened gently, and light
| footstep glided noiselessly across the
carpeted floor toward the sofa on which
John Furlong lay. He saw her, and
tried to raise himself to sitting pos
ture.
Florencer'
"Johnp'
The effort had exhausted what little
strength remained, and he fell back un-
conscious.
When he revived Florence Packard
sat by his side. Her lace shawl was
thrown over the back of the chair, and
her dainty little hat occupied another.
She kept her little fan busily employed
upon his face, and the life blood was
fast returning into its regular channels.
In spirit of gratitude he extended his
hand She grasped it, and held it in
hers. For a few minutes not word
was spoken on either side.
"John Furlong," said Florence, 81
am not stranger to the nature of your
affection for me. | have known it for
years. You love me. You have strug-
gled on and on in the hope of prosper
ing in business and bettering your. con-
dition before you made your af-
fections known to me. Ihave watched
you, John Furlong. l am rich, and
you are poor. Day after day, with a
salary that an unprincipled firm was
cutting down, you saw your hopes
crushed. Still you labored on with an
unfaltering zeal. To-day you were dis
charged-I heard it all. Mr.. Lord went
to the club, and there boasted of his
conduct toward you. In the midst of
his hilarity he was seen to reel in his
chair and fall. A doctor was sum-
moned, but life had fled. He who had
cut down others was in turn 'cut
down by the hand of God. When |
heard of your misfortunes 1 hastened
here. Surrounded as am by host OF
giddy admirers, saw at once and read
their hearts. They loved me for my
money. There is one brave man who
loves me for myself alone, and that
man is John Furlong"
Florence! Florence! you have read
my heart Alright"
81 know it, John. know also that
your love is returned. l have endeav-
ored to disguise the fact from myself;
but it is useless. You would not, from
sense of honor, ask me to become
your wife-John Furlong, ask you to
become my husband. You are I'LL
cannot leave you. Give me the right
to remain and care for you-make me
your wife"
80, what Joy it would be to mer'
said John, in the ecstacv of the mo-
ment, "Florence Packard the wife oi
poor John Furlong! Never! neverr'
"Not never, John, but forever" said
Florence. 81 do not care for what the
world says. You are all to me-the
world is nothing. You will consentP''
She pressed her claim eloquently and
fervently but still he resisted. He
pleaded for delay.
81 will not leave this house save as
the wife of John Furlong," said Flor.
ence.
He could resist no longer. When he
breathed the happy consent Florence
wound her delicate arms around him
and kissed the tears from his cheeks
A clergyman was sent for, and before
an hour had passed Miss Florence
Packard had become Mrs. John Fur
long. When his health permitted they
removed from the apartments on the
fourth floor to q brown stone house or
Fifth avenue.
The house of Lord & Co. is no longer
in existence. The share of the senio
member was purchased for our friend
and it is now known as John Furlons
& Co., and when the clerks are sum.
moned to the private Office they alway!
emerge with smiling faces. Their sal
aries have been increased to the ole
standard, and "cutting down" is un
known in the firm of John Furlong 6
10 - GfU, ,,1 the Hecf