The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-04-30

LfOUuCE TO YOU MI. IbdE0urSE. the gem
tleman who saved me when nv horse
ran away from Brighton l knew that
the hospitality which is accorded to
everyone at Shady Creek, would be
trebly so to him to whom 1 may have
owed my life
''This he" cried Colonel Granger.
'sYOu are right. Florence. Sir. you are
welcome-heartilyw welcome, = extending
his hand We owe you much"
Indeed. Colonel Granger, began
Philip, the time is
80 long back that, ike a generous
man, you have forgotten your good
deeds; but, sir, / can assure youw have
not forgotten our gratitude. Welcome,
l repeat, TO Shady Creek. Sit down,
perhaps you have been riding far"
Since five O'Clock. colonel. this morn
ing. We camped out last night"
'Camped out, Mr.. Bathurst? Your
station"
Il have no station as yet: that is.
hope, to come, . smiled Philip. 4 am
on my way to the diggings." p"
Ideally. l hope, however. You are
not in such haste to get to Tom It'd
dler's ground but that you VIII give us
day or two of your society? Kate,
pray see that refreshment is prepared -
Mrs. Crane, putting down her work.
entered the house, bidding Flo follow.
She was very thoughtful. The lines in
her forehead were deeper as she gave
her orders. As She returned looking
her niece in the face. she said abruptly:
Flo, you've been a mystery to me,
but now L expect | know all about it,
Mr.. Bathurst is the reason why you
would never think of Herbert Archer
oh, auntie, dear auntiel' and the
girl hid her blushing face on the old
lady's bosom. ~ es. you are right; ]
love him SO dearly. But / fancied we
should never meet again, therefore was
silent. Now, auntie. | win tell you all
\ on will not be angTyI'
That depends, child. What is heYn
"A gentleman. auntie."
That's not everything. What's he
got with which to keep YOU. child?'
To which Flo made this frank and
startling avOWal:
Nothing, auntie. He Is a beggar."
{" A beggar!'
''Only now. He is going to make a
great fortune at the diggings.
l.. 'DiEgingsl Nonsense. Flo. don't you
be foolish girl. You marry a beggaT.
Wei, there, don't cry. l suppose You
VIII wait until the fortune 5 made. But
you'll see what your uncle VIII say TO
it. Mr.. Bathurst, l trust, viii not ac-
cept his hospitality under false pre-
lenses"
"Oh, auntie. / am sure he will not.
He is gentleman"
'Oh. handsome is that handsome
does, " responded the old lady with a
sniff, for she was put out. She had eS-
pOuSed Herbert Archer's cause. and
was annoyed at this evident obstacle.
One thing COnSOled her. the knowledge
that her brother would never let Flo
marry a penniless suitoT, though he was
a gentleman.
On their entering the sitting-rOom
they found the two had quilted the
yerandah, and were pacing backwards
and forwards by the gum-trees in seri-
Gus talk. Flo's heart fell What could
they be speaking abOuty
The truth was. no sooner had the la
dies gone than Philip Bathurst. as if he
had heard Aunt Cranes remark re
specting false pretenses. determined 10
acquaint the colonel with the truth OF
his love, and his position, boldly asking
his consent, as her guardian, to his and
Elorence's engagement. Thus he re-
marked:
Colonel Granger, viii you grant me
a few moments private conversation,
as l feel l have no right TO accept your
hospitality without first acquainting
you with the sentiments l entertain to-
wards your lovely niece
A smile fitted over the officers hand
2 some features: but banishing it he re-
marked seriously:
You love her, Mr. Bathurst?"
'Smcely, passiOnately.'
And Florence loves yOuy'
'She does. colonel But can she have
told you sop inquired the young
( man eagerly.
; s'She has told me nothing. However
! I read the truth in her eyes when she
introduced you. l regret she has been
/ so secretiye."
DO not blame her. colonel. Rather
blame me who am the elder. Besides
we neither believed we should have the
happiness to meet again. Our love has
( some romance about it. but I feel there
has been little IN It to receive your dis
approval May tell it you? May | al
so inform you who | am, for as yet l am
( q stranger
Yes. said the colonel. rising. 1--WE
b will 90 yOndeT by the gum-trees. We
/ shall be undisturbed.
In his secret heart he was already
( taken by the frank. OUtSpOken manli-
. ness of Philip Bathurst. lie rpnem-
/ bered, however. IT was probably Flor
7 ence's future at stake. and fair seeming
/ was not ALWAYS fair doing. or course
as natural sequence. Flo. a school girl
would fall in love with young, hand
some fellow: but who was this fellow?
/ An adventurer. perhaps.
Who he was Philip Bathurst was not
slow to inform him. and each sentence
D lit uLlt1ttl IiiE ltlOlt NOll AAlE NOAtAA-A-
He saw now why Flo had never inclined
/ toward Herbert Archer, and loved the
girl for her fidelity.
"You know now, Colonel Granger,
who | am, also my prospects" " eonelud-
ed Philip.
And the latter, YOU viii own, Mr..
/ Bathurst, - remarked the other dTyly,
/ ARE not very Brilliant
ION the contrary smiled Bhlllp,
'they are almost below zero. Still, fol
t stOck-in-trade l have hope, youth
/ health and q determination to succeed
/ Besides. thOughsthat is the last thing
7 could advance. my uncle may Telent.
Then what do you need of me?o
. First I wish, colonel, to have moth.
ing hidden from You, Secondly, youl
. consent to my marriage with your niece
when 1 have acquired a home and al
income worthy Of her acceptance. "
+ ''Mr. Bathurst" rejomed the colonel
hating in the path, You have been
frank with me: l viii be the same
/ | ought to be. for ! owe yOu gratitude
but it is not that. l like you. GuJ
have spoken honestly and like man
Win the fortune and if by advice | cal
aid YOU l viii. I'll not ask a large one
and if Flo keeps of the same mind. mn
consent is yours. There's my hand up
on it.r
Philip grasped the soldiers palm Will
much emotion. Every obstacle, appaT
emily, was fading from his path. Afte
all, how smoothly the course of thel
love promised to run.
''Now | see the ladies have Tet@rned,
proceeded the colonel. ''let us Join them
You must need refreShment.
THAT evening. as Flo stood in the We
randall watching the silver moon riSlni
over the distant range of hills, Phili
came out to her.
"Oh, Philip. she murmured, as h
stood by her side, you have told uncl
everything. | am 50. so glad.
Il could not have accepted his hOspi