The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1886-05-29

to thlef, ;ud certainty they were not
those of ghost.
Hush hush have pity on me. Do
not betray me.' implored the other.
Betray you!' echoed Florence. q
must ask What you mean. Who are
you?'
"Who are go"?' replied the lady, in
a low, agitated voice, which was vet
full OF melody. FIorences heart was
fast melting toward her unexpected
guest.
"Who am ?" said the girl "I live
here. l am Florence Arlington. Do
you know my father 2"
"Once did !" exclaimed the stranger
sinking on her knees. "Oh, Florence
let me call you so-has your father
never spoken to You of Ethel Lane?"
Never, that I remember" replied
the wondering Florence.
Nor of Lady Ellington ?"
Il have heard that Lady Ellington
has bought a house in this neighborhood
that is all know of her." answered
Florence, wondering more and more.
II was Ethel Llne-now am Count
ess of Lillingtou-the woman whom
your father first loved and who has
always loved him. Florence. 1 have
come here to ascertain if he has quite
forgotten me. If he has not | will
venture all; I will let him understand
that have never forgotten him !"
BY this time F'lorences heart was
beating fast and she stretched out her
hands to Lady Ellington, though she
could not speak at this moment. All.
now size comprehended the meaning of
one or two remarks her mother had let
fall from her dying lips relative to her
father.
He has made me so happy, He has
been always SO tender and so noble.
though | was not the woman he loved. I"
She had learned the sad romance IN
the life OF her dear father, just as she
had begun to realize that the romance of
her own life would be sad; for she
could never hope to marry Cecil Lauton
she had heard that his uncle was a
stlckler for his own dignity and for
wealth on both sides of an engaged
couple, or poverty on both sides that
made the match equal. Even ii Cecil
ever declared the love which shone in
his eyes, how could she accept it, when
it might bring him to pover'y: But he
would go away and never declare it.
''Speak to me. Do not turn against
met" entreated Lldy Lillington, and
then the next moment Florence was
weeping in her arms.
1t was some time before she grew COM
posed enough to question Lldy Lilling-
ton about what she wished to get out of
the davenport.
FLORENCE, that, will settle the ques-
tom was the reply "Your father told
me eighteen years ago, when he was
but twenty-tlree and | not quito your
age, that he loved me so fondIv that
even my desertlon would not quite kill
his love-that he would guard forever
little water-coior l had given him,
likeness Of myself See here. he said
lput it here. Ethel, and there it shall
stay till it is buried VITA me or till I
loyfully place it where my eyes can
quickest meet il upon ollr wedding day.
H. Z
gage that he loves me still if not, dare
not ask him to forgive the past, and to
share my fortune y
"And this is why you came,' cried
Florence. throwing her arms around
Lady Ellington.
1t was agreed between the loving
confederates that the countess should
pay one more visit to Laurel Cottage for
the purpose of ascertaini.,s whether the
shabby little davenport contained her
likeness; but that this time Florence
should lend her aid by obtaining the
key OF the escritoire. and by admitting
her herself to the sittiug-room early one
morning long before any OF the inmates
Of the cottage were astir.
Mr. Arlington was to be absent for
couple of days i'll the beginning of the
ensuing week that was the time selected
for the trial.
The day dawned which was to have
taken Flo $ father from home, but tele-
gram received unexpectedly caused him
to defer his journey.
There was no possibility of letting the
countess know of this change of plans,
but Floreuce strengthened herself with
rejecting that so long before breakfast
her father would not be down stairs.