The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-05-14

self ON a couch, she found relief in ST.
lent tears.
Very mgratefull" exclaimed Mrs.
Crane, huffed. ~ hope all do not re-
ceTve her gracious Maiestv's message
so ungraciOusiy. Brother, give me the
paper that may peruse il. Very, very
kind Of the Queen. indeed"
A faint smile twitched the coloneIs
features as he stepped out into the We
randall with Herbert Archer. The lat
ter. however. soon found an opportun-
lty 10 leave him. and return TO the
apartment. IerceINiug. as he had suS-
pected, that Mrs. Crane had gone to in
form the whole station of the Queens
eondescensiOn, lac passed into the inner
room.
At the sound Of his entrance Flo
looked up surprised.
Pardon this intrusion. Miss Grain
ger, he said quickly. defereutially;
but | could not leave without asking
your pardon"
Pardon. Mr.. Archer. Nay, 1 should
rather seek yours. l owe you many
thanks, ~ she answered softly.
NO. \ ON were quite right. l ought
not to have brought the paper. I wish
l had persisted in the bush rather he
persisted. Il. who would save you
from all suffering, seem doomed TO
cause you the most
mo, no. indeed" she broke in,
touched by the pain he betrayed.
es, the only consolation have is
the knowledge that YOU are aware how
unintenuOnally 1 occasion You to suf-
fer"
4 know that. l am sure Of that" she
/ answered lmpTeSSiyely. as she extended
/ her hand. Il much appreciate your
/ friendship"
! For a space he retained her hand
! He was silent, then he spoke rapidly,
! huSkilv.
! Miss er-FlOrence-therew was
/ subject upon which 1 gave my word
/ meyer again to address you
She made a quick movement as if to
interrupt him, but checked herself.
/ EIudlHg enCOuragemenJ lIt the last ac-
I ton. he proceeded feTvauIly:
'That was when one lived who had a
/ prior a better claim than mine for he
/ had your love. But now "a cruel fate
/ has plucked him from you, when yet
/ you are Young when Won have so many
/ years-years that ought To be full of
brightness and happiness before you.
/ Oh. Florence. may / not hope? Nay,
do not answer directly, think. ] entreat.
/ do not ask IOT your reply whether
may indeed be something TO you for
mOnthS-naY. years. II You VIII, only
dOU0t say that when time has assuaEed
your grief, my love VIII still he hope
he had dropped on his knee, and
would have retained her hand, but she
had drawn i away.
Making an effort To maintain heI
calmuess. Flo. after a pause, answered
IN q low gentle voice:
i feared, Mir. Archer. though gener-
. Ously You have panied me by no word
or look. that after what has occurred
YOU might haTbOr such thoughts
Hence, / am glad you have spoken, st
-'Oh, Florence. be merciful."
1T is in mercy I speak. Mr.. Archer :
she answered gently, ''1Or 1t would bt
cruel to leave you uudeceiVed. IhOugl
time may assist me I'm hiding my sor
row, It can never assHage it. As true
asI was to Philip when ] believed ONLY
chance had parted us shall I be to hin
now death las done so. NO. do not in
telTupt. have declared that Philip no-
being Hy hushaut,I die unwedded.
intended you to know this, as my Uncl,
purpOsed to let you know of our pro
iected visit 10 England. IT, is my de
sire, my pray eT- ami Ic has granted 1t
/ We start i'm a month
England, You start in a month";
cried ileTbert Archer. springiug up.
Yes"
'.TuS-tIis IS your final determine
ton Miss Granger. I may haTb0r no
the Ia.u'eSt hopss'
Il should Int cruelty deceive You die
] say yes.
.TEen 1 VIII pain you no. more witt
I my. presence nevertheless. one day
Florence you may learn auW desperate
Inc'ir=nr his head he passed hastfl.
from the room. The next was stil
rauGah. - unchecked Herbert Archie
. reached his horse and rode swiftly from