The Penn's Grove record., 1884-08-30

delightful task Of replying. What
should she say? She could not consult
any one.
Florence wrote from ar Overlooking
heart, without stopping to choose the
words, a 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. Chichester's letter upon her
pillow, and felt it from time to time to
assure herself it was not a dream.
At length, towards morning, she fell
into a peaceful slumber, from which
she was awakened by the maid bringing
her a cup Of tea.
Florence started up as her new found
happiness flashed upon her. A letter
on the tray. She snatched it up, scarce
ly waiting for the maid to leave the
room ere she tore it open. Yes, it was
from him; she saw the well known c-
pher and motto. The sound of wheels
grating on the gravel reused her. She
ran to the window, and peeping from
behind the curtain saw Captain Chi
chester drive away. He was gone, but
he had left a letter, and she Sat down
to read it. But the happy tender smile
with which she opened it was suddenly
succeeded by a look of amazement,
then suddenly then by almost horror
and incredulous despair. She pushed
back her hair from her face and turned
the letter over wildly. as if in hope Of
discovering something to give her COM
fort. But mol The words were not to
be mistaken.
MY DEAR Miss MoLYNEUX:-I
scarcely know what to write to you.
There has been some great mistake, or
some one has cruelty contrived a plan
to give us both great pain. Believe me,
| feel it most deeply when | tell you |
never wrote the letter to which you al
Iude, nor any letter to you. 1t must
be a forgery. For your kind express
sions towards me, which 1t has drawn
forth, 1 can only offer my sinceTest
/ llIdlIh5, lOI DClhCNO IuO L fdlup Jun
good opinion most highly. You are
not mistaken In supposing that admire
and esteem you beyond almost any wo-
man 1 aver met. 1 would say more,
but l am not free. l am, in honor,
bound to another. l thought this WAS
understood by Lady Brandon, but l
fear l 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 1t to me at WellwoOd2 l
have no doubt / shall discover its au-
thor, and he or she will not escape pun
ishment. l have but more word 10
add my dear Miss Molyneux: l 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 n know
it has succeeded, and we shall yet battle
and disarm our enemy. l could say
much more, but it Is better not. Be-
lieve me with the sincerest regard and
esteem; yours faithfully,
L. CHICHESTER.
Florence's mind was In such a tu.
mutt Of confused thoughts that she
could scarcely comprehend what had
happened. She flew to compare the
handwriting. Mol they were not
the same, though there was some re-
semblance. The envelope bore the
same initials and motto. Who could
have done so cruel an act? Jane Nor
ris. 1t flashed upon her like a conyic.
ton, but could it be possible? Could
one girl act &c basely by another? She
inclosed the fatal letter to Captain Chi
chester, and then wrote to her mother,
begging her to summon her home on
any pretence.
So some months passed away, and
Florence heard nothing of her friends;
she felt forgotten. forsaken, but the
next morning she was awakened BY a
letter from Ada Brandon, announcing
her approaching marriage with Lord
Stoneleigh, and affectionately inviting
her b. be her bridesmaid. At first Flo
M shrank from the thought, but
when she read the postscript ~ sup
pose yon have seen Lady Ida's marriage
In the paper" she resolved to 90 to
Brandon Hall.
at is all over, !" she said; she is mar
ried. 1 will go and enjoy the happiness
Of Others" But it was with a sad
heart that Florence found herself drly-
ing 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 n waiting to receive or
welcome her, and with a blank feeling
she followed the servant into the draw
ing room, which wa deserted.
As the door closed behind her she
heard the sound Of a quick footstep on
the grass without, a mans figure dark
ened the light as he stepped in through
the open window. Florence's heart
gave a great leap and the blood flew to
her face. She turned to fly, but her
ltn,ia .n-.I1s III not