Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1884-06-04

| on the envelope ana 8 motto. The in
itials were IL. Co." the motto "True til
DEATH" The words danced before he
eyes. 1t was his motto. It was not
dream, it was letter from Capt. Obi
chester. She pressed it to her fps, the,
tore it open, and read the contents a
quickly as her agitation would permit
It began:
have in vain tried to speak to you alone
but cannot leave you without learning M
fate. You must have seen that I love you de
votedly. Can you give me any hope2 leav
! early tomorrow, but my future movements de
pend upon your answer. II you love me le
me- have few lines from you to-nigh., and
will return from Wildwood with Sir Charles OF
Friday. My room is the last in the gallery
from you tonight? On your reply my happi
| ness depends. Ever yours devotedly,
l.. CHICHESTER.
Florence let the letter fall into he,
lap; the revulsion of feeling was almost
too great. The bitter tears of sorrow
and disappointment were still upon he1
cheek. but some subtle chemistry had
changed them to a rainbow Of hope
and joy. He loved her! he had writ.
ten to say so. And now she had the
delightful task of replying. What
should she say ? She could consult nc
one.
Florence wrote from an overflowine
heart, without stopping to choose the
words, joyful and happy acceptance
of Capt. Chichester's love. She
went to bed at last, not, indeed, to
sleep, but to indulge in blissful
thoughts. She put Capt. Chiches
ter's letter under her pillow, and felt il
from time to time to assure herself il
was not dream.
| At length, towards morning, she fell
into peaceful slumber, from which
she was awakened by the maid bring.
ing her cup of tea.
Florence started up as her new-found
happiness flashed upon her. A letter
lay on the tray. She snatched it up
scarcely waiting for the maid to leave
the room ere she tore it open. Yes, il
! was from him; she saw the well-knowu
cipher and motto. The sound of wheels
grating on the gravel reused her. She
ran to the window, and peeping from
behind the curtain saw Capt. Chiches
ter drive away. He was gone, but he
had left letter, and she sat down te
read it. But the happy tender smile
with which she opened it was suddenly
succeeded by look of amazement, then
by almost incredulous horror and de-
spair. She pushed back her hair from
her face and turned the letter oye1
wildly, az if in hope of discovering some.
thing to give her comfort. But no
The words were not to be mistaken.
Ny DEAR MISS Mo1YNEux- scarcely know
how to write to you. There has been some
great mistake, or some one has cruelty con.
trlved plan to give us both great pain. Be.
ileve me feel 1t most deeply when I tell YOU
that never wrote the letter to which YOU al.
Jude, nor any letter to you. It must be a for.
gerry; For your kind expressions toward me,
which it has drawn forth, can only offer YOU
my sincerest thanks, for believe me I value
your good opinion most highly. You are not
mistaken in supposing that l admire and ca.
tee'n you beyond almost any woman have ey.
er met. ! would say more, but am not free.
am, in honor. bound to another. thought
this was understood by Lady Brandon, but 1
fear I have been to blame, and that have
caused you pain. If you have got the forged
letter, will you be so kind as to forward II ia
me at Wildwood? have no doubt shall dis
cover its author, and he or she ehall not ca.
cape punishment. have but one word more
to add. My dear Miss Molyneux, know YOU
are sensible and brave; let no one know what
has occurred. This vile trick must be the work
OF some one at Brandon Hall. Do not let anv
one know it has succeeded, and We shall vet
battle and disarm our enemy. Icould say much
more, but it is better not. Believe me. with
the slncerest regard and esteem, yours 1ezpect-
fully. L. GH1cHrsTrp
Florence's mind was in such tumult
OF confused thoughts that she could
scarce comprehend what had happened.
She flew to compare the handwriting
No! they were not the same. though
there was some resemblance. The en-
yeiope bore the same initials and motto.
Who could have done SO cruel an act !?
Jane Morris! It flashed upon her like
q conviction, but could it be possible !?
Gould it be possible? Gould one girl
act SO basely by another?. She en-
closed the fatal letter to Capt. Chi
chester, and then wrote to her mother
begging her to summon her home on
any pretense.
So some months passed away. and
Florence heard nothing of her friends !:
she felt forgotten, forsaken, but one
morning she was awakened by q letter
from Ada Brandon, announcing her an
preaching marriage with Lord Stone
leigh, and afechonately inviting her
tobe her bridesmaid. At first Florence
snrank from the thought, but when she
read the postscript, II suppose you
have seen Lady Ida's marriage in the
paper" she resolved to go to Brandon
Hall. IT is all over" she said ahe ia
married. I will go and enjoy the hap
piness of Others" But it was with a
sad heart that Florence found herself
driving up to the wel-known entrance
of Brandon Hall. Oh! how different it
all was now, she thought, as memory
carried her back to her former visit.
There was no one waiting to receive OF
welcome her, and with blank feeling
she followed the servant into the draw
ing-room, which was deserted. As the
door closed behind her she heard the
sound of 9 quick footstep on the grass
without, mans figure darkened the
light as he stepped in through the open
window. FloreDce's heart gave great
leap, and the blood flew to her face.
She turned to fy-but her limbs were
trembling SO she could not move, and
then some one caught her hands, and
spoke her name. and looking up, she
met the gaze of Capt, Chichester's
blue eyes.
Florence" he cried, forgive mel
have l frightened you' I have come
here 70 see you, to speak to you, to tell
you I love you.
.oh, no, mol" cried Florence, draw
ing back. Let me gol Youare
married! Ada told me-. =
No. nol' cried Gap. Chichester
Il am not married to Lady
IdA. I am free. Inever loved her. nor
abe me. e was only : family arrange
ment. She Is married TO Lord Layton.