Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-03-16
cess,'' he said, clasping her hand IN his

cess,'' he said, clasping her hand IN nj
own.
"And am more glad for your ap-
probation than for the applause of all
the rest of the world; as freely to at
tribute whatever success is mine espe-
cially to you, who were the first to en-
courage and aid me in the cultivation
of the one talent which God gave me. -
'I am glad If I may think so. was
DESTROYS to assist you still further, in
the olden times but
81 treated you shamefully," she
broke in, while the tears welled to her
eyes, ''and the remembrance of my con-
duct has been the source of the deepest
regret and establishment Oh my part. !"
81 never understood why you broke
off all intercourse with me as you did
Had Miss Winter anything to do with
it?''
For at least five minutes Florence ut
tered not word, but sat trembling like
a leaf. Then she said:
"That you may not consider me
wholly an migrate, feel it my duty to
myself to say she was the sole cause of
the course l pursued
elbow, may inquire?''
"Oh, please do not ask me to ex-
plain"
'In the old days, when you were the
little girl did not fully realize my
feelings with regard to you. knew
you had my respect and best wishes,
that was all. But when you began to
avoid me, was convinced that I loved
you; and the years that have passed
since we met have strengthened the con-
viction that you are the dearest thing
on earth to me. I ask you, therefore,
as I would were you Florence Alling,
not the celebrated cantatrice, sFloren-
tina Brunion,' will you be my wife?'
taking her hand as he spoke.
1t was not withdrawn from his grasp,
and, ere long, she replied:
"In those old DAYS, to which YOU
have referred my feeling for you was
previously, SO far as gentlemen were
concerned. [ deemed you SO vastly SUI
perior to me, in every way, l did not
consider it love, and, besides, had
never had the slightest experience in
you almost-then came Miss Winter to
disturb my pleasant dream"
'You can not hesitate to tell me how,
"No;" and with considerable hesita-
ton and many bushes she related what
was, substantially, as follows:
Miss Winter had told her that Philip
was heartless firt, ever ready; when
he had enlisted a young lady's affec-
lions in his behalf, to leave her uncere-
moniously, careless of the misery that
might accrue. That he had used her
sell. in that way and was doubtless pre-
pared to treat Florence similarly. She
had advised her-Florence-to have
nothing to do with him, if she valued
her peace of mind, and finally suggested
that she leave Burton, assuring her that,
in any city, she could find plenty of
work and far better opportunity to
cultivate her "wonderful voice.
$780," continued Florence, 81 went to
New York and secured employment. 1
sung in one of the churches on q small
salary; and, in two years, by the strict
est economy, saved sufficient money,
added to what had laid up while in
Burton and the donations of certain
wealthy ladies who were members of
the church where sung, to enable me
to go abroad and prosecute my musical
studies. My middle name is Brown!
which, Italianized, becomes 'Brunoni,'
and when I made my debut at Milan, a
little more than year since, it was as
sFlorentina Brunoni.'
ssSome six months ago I received a
letter from Miss Winter-rather Mrs.
Fremont, for she is married-in which
she confessed that what she had said
you was false; that, so far
as she knew, you were not fiirt; that
she never had any reason for believing
you cared for her more than for ladies
generally. sBut,' she added. Il imag-
med myself in love with him, and, that
might win him, was ready to practice
any duplicity. l beg your forgiveness
for my conduct, most heartily That is
ALTO repeat your expression"
81 have always suspected something
like that which you have narrated" re-
sponded Philip, quietly. ''But am to
that you accept mine and
give me your love?''
81 believe, now, am worthy of your |
love, as perhaps 1 never should have |
been had circumstances not been what |
they were. Fame is transient, love is |
eternal Therefore your love is dearer |
to me than fame Are you satisied?"
He was.-PhilaIelphia Journal.