The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1884-12-18

T1eel Utmost deeply when I tell yoa
that never wrote the letter 20 which
goa anude, nor any letter to you. &c
must be forgery. For your kind ex-
preston toward me, which it has drawn
forth, l can only offer my sincere
thanks, for, believe me, I value your
good opinion most highly. You are not
mistaken In supposing that admire and
esteem you beyond almost any woman
have ever met. / would say more,
but am not free. I am, in honor,
bound to another. Thought this was
understood by Lady Brandon, but Ifear
have been to blame, and that I have
caused you pain. If you have got the
forged letter, will you be so kind as to
forward it to me at Wildwood? have
no doubt | shall discover its author,
and he or she shall not escape punish
ment. / have but one more word 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 any one
know it has succeeded, and we shall yet
battle and disarm our enemy. | could
say much more, but it is better not.
Believe me, with the sincerest regard
and esteem, yours faithfully,
L. CHICHESTER"
Florence's mind was in such tu-
multi Of confused thoughts that she
could scarcely comprehend what had
happened. She flew to compare the
handwriting. No! they were not the
same, though there was some resem-
blance. The envelope bore the same
initial and motto. Who could have
done so cruel an actp Jane Morris. It
flashed upon her like conviction, but
could it be possibleP Could one girl
act so basely to another? She incIosed
the fatal letter to Captain Chichester,
and then wrote to her mother, begging
her to summon her home on any pre-
tense.
So some months passed away and
Florence heard nothing of her friends:
she felt forgotten, forsaken. But one
morning she was awakened by letter
from Ada Brandon announcing her APP
preaching marriage with Lord Stone
leigh, and atfectionately inviting her to
be bridesmaid. At first Florence shrank
from the thought, but when she read
the postscript, 81 suppose you have
seen Lady lda's marriagein the paper"
she resolved to go to Brandon Hall.
1T is all over" she said; che is mar
ried. Twill go and enjoy the happiness
OF others" But it was with asad heart
that Florence found herself driving up
to the well-known entrance of Brandon
Hall. Ali how different it all was now,
she thought, as memory carried her
back to her former visit. There was
no one waiting to receive or welcome
her, and with blank feeling she fol-
lowed the servant into the drawing
room, which was deserted. As the
door closed behind her she heard the
sound of quick footstep on the grass
without, and a mans figure darkened
the light as he stepped in through the
open window. Florence'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 Captain Chichester's
blue eyes.
Florence" he cried, ''forgIve me.
Have | frightened youP I have come
here to see you, to speak to you. to tell
you love you"
'Oh, no, no, cried Florence, draw
ing back. ''Let me go. "You-you
are married. Ada told me-
mo, no" cried Captain Chichester,
laughing, II am not married to Lady
Ida. / never loved her, nor her me. 1t
was only a family arrangement. She
is married to Lord Layton. have
never cared for any one but YOU
''But-but the letter, !" cried Florence.
ut is because said''--
mo. nor he said, quite gravely now.
'sWhen Miss Morris stole my note pa
per and forged my handwriting She
only told you half what l felt. Flor
ence. Florence, my darling! don't cry;
you love me, do you notP" Florence
made no answer, but as she hid her
face upon his shoulder she forgot all her
doubts and sorrows in the rapturous
knowledge of his love. Home Chimes.