The Northern Pacific farmer., 1885-05-28

She cannot surely know his WORTH"
Ashock went through Florence, Here
was an opportunity, perhaps. to make it
all right between Rex and Florence.
Should she do it? Could she do it with
out betraying her friend? She knew
Miss Osborne's pride-how intense it
was-how overpowering! She knew al
so that she worshiped Rex Allston, and
that she would die rather than let this
woman know how she felt.
Florence forgot in that moment that
Mrs: Selby was not exactly good form"
in the eyes of the guests at the hotel:
Was she widow, or one of those con-
ventional society women, who. living
apart from her husband; spent his mon
ey lavishly? That she could be very
charming, Florence felt, and she GER
tainly dressed with exquisite taste. It
was evident that she had money in
plenty, for her horses were of the best,
her jewels the costliest, and her dresses
imported.
All these things, with the sayings
and surmises of sundry people, rushed
through her brain as she sat there won
dering if by one word she might set
things right, it would be best to say that
word.
"Mr. Allston seems to be very good
friend of yours" she said, with an ef-
fort to be calm that was quite appar-
ent."
"Oh, yes, dear me, yes-an old friend
-why--" she laughed little amused
laugh, and very sweetly she could
laugh. II don't believe but what-it
can't be that Miss Osborne is jealous of
me. Pardon me, but the thought came
into my head. Why, my dear child, I
am ten years older than Mr.. Allston. 1"
Just there she stopped, the color
mounting to her cheeks.
"Well, I don't wish to be misunder-
STOOD" she said, contemplativly, the
corners of her mouth twitching.
Then she broke into q low, amused
laugh.
cts all very odd, and you are kind
to give so much time to me. I will see
you again by-and- d-by.-and it will all
come out right for your pretty young
friend. I should SO much like her to
think we'll of me!"
She rose and left the room, smiling
to herself, after bright "good morn:
ing," and Florence, feeling half guilty,
was about following, when Miss Osborne
called her.
"Just see what a picture those yachts
make, and how. blue the water is be-
yond!" Then added. in low voice, II
wonder at you! Do you want to get
yourself talked about?"
"There is no one here" said Flor.
ence; "and had there been room full,
Ishould not have cared. How beauti-
fully she dresses!"
Eyes, she does-for lady without
any chaperon or husband. I'm sure
she doesn't give herself out for widow.
People wouldn't talk for nothing. Her
friends are ell gentlemen"
REX seems to be the only one," said
Florence.
"Oh, Rex is nothing to mel" said
Miss Osborne, tossing her shapely
head; but there was q spasm at her
heart which Florence could not see by
any outward sign.
That evening Rex and Mrs. Selby
met on the shore. The sun was setting
in sea Of motion gold; the sky glowed
crimson; the waves were crusted with q
thousand gorgeous tints.
Afar off the hotel band was playing
some sweet italian air; groups were
standing near the pavalion, waiting fot
the dancing to begin. The young man
was moody and thoughtful.
''Rex, what has come over you Of
late?" asked Mrs. Selby, as the two
moved down the long reach of sand.
''Last night I noticed you took quite
too much wine. Remember the lam
lily failing, my dear boy; remember
Charlie-that lonely grave in the little
burying ground at Nice"
eyes; and it was u woman then, "
said the young fellow gloomily. my
brother would have been alive to-day
but for that miserable girl who led
him on and then Tilted him. I hate all
womenw
am afraid Miss Osborne is not
worthy of you, DEAR" said the woman,
tenderly.
perhaps not. I cannot help loving
her all the same, though" he said, in a
low tone.
II have heard she is Airt. Do you
believe it?"
II don't know what to believe.
only know that I love her." was his re-
"Are you sure she is not jealous of
me?" asked the woman, smiling archly.
"Absurd!" he said, with a little
laugh.
"Of course-that's the way it looks to
you." she said, her eyes growing sad.
"And II love you too we'll to see you
unhappy. I should never have come
here"
"Don't be foolish, Laura-and yet,
think you have given me the clew to
some perplexing doubts. And if it is
so, in heavens name what am I to do ?"
"You are to tell her the plain, un-
vanished truth, she said, concealing
the pain in her heart with careless
smile. IF she is the woman you think
she is-if she is good and true, she will
not love you the less-because-at all
events, she will not repeat it. Then,
perhaps, may find friend"
"Thank you, Laura" he said, bend
ing lower to look in her face, and not
noticing that she was in tears. 1T will
perhaps be better,to be frank"
"And then I must co." she said,
blinded by tears. "The curse will fol.
low me; cannot get away from it"
dearest Laura!" he cried, almost
passionately, catching her hand, II will
not have you say that. You know that
I love you, that you have dear friends
who make no difference-you shall not
go. It is not your fault, dearest-defy
the worlds opinion. Presently you
will forget"
"Never!" was the low response.
"Still, I thank Heaven that I have you,
that one noble heart beats with some
measure of affection for me-"
Just at that moment Miss Osborne
came into sight with Florence. Rex
had relinquished Mrs. Selby's hand,
and was gathering the light shawls she
wore closer around her neck. for the