San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-10-15
THROUGH DANGER;
Or
LIFE IN AUSTRALIA.

mel. meeting nm, we Thought you
were in Sydney"
II have just returned from there,
colonel, day earlier than | intended,
for | bring, perhaps, something that
may please Miss Granger
Something" murmured the colonel,
while Flo again half rose.
Yes; a message from the Queen; a
word of sympathy from her Majesty to
the relatives and friends of those who
were in the Clan Buchanan"
The cOlOnel's cOuntenance fell.
Its very kind of the Queen" he
said, as he took the paper in a diSap-
pointed fashion.
Flo had sunk back, her lips trem-
bling.
1T was foolish of me to hope. Uncle
was right" she thought. What hope
could there be?'
My darling" said the colonel, adj
vancing, the paper i'll his hand, 1.-The
Queen has graciOusly-'
Yes, yes, uncle interrupted his
niece piteOuSly, hiding her face in her
hands; II heard. 1t is thoughtful
of her; but. if or friends cannot con-
sole, how can Shv?"
1T will COnSOl many, my love. VIII
you not read it,"
"Surely. my dear, you will read her
gracious Majesty meSSage?" eXclaim-
ed Mrs. Crane, busting up and touch
ing the paper almost reverently.
Il cannot, AMI she waved it away.
''Really very Ungrateful," calculated
Mrs. Crane; you should look at it,
child. even in compliment to Mr.. Arch
er, who has taken the trouble to bring
it, -
II thank him very much," replied
Flo. II know am foolish. but-but
that paper seems to arouse all my SOr-
row. Forgive me. | shall be better
soOn.' and riSinE. size passed into an
adjoining room, where. throwing her
self on a couch, she found relief III 81
lent tears.
VERY mgratefulr' exclaimed Mrs.
Crane, hulfed. 81 hope all do not re-
ceive her gracious Majesty's message
so ungraciOusly. Brother, give me the
paper that may peruse it. Very, very
kind of the Queen, indeed.
A faint smile twitched the cOlOnel's
features as he stepped ont into the We
randall with Herbert Archer. The lat
ter, however, soon found an OppOrtun-
ity to leave him. and return to the
apartment. Perceiving, as he had suS-
pected, that Mrs. Crane had gone to in
form the whole station of the Queens
cOndeScenSiOn, he passed into the inner
room.
At the sound of his entrance Flo
looked up surprised.
pardon this intrusion, Miss Grain
ger" he said quickly, deferentially;
"but l could not leave without asking
your pardon"
"Pardonl Mr.. Archer. Nay, l should
rather seek yours. | owe you many
thanks" she answered softly.
mo. You were quite right. ought
not to have brought the paper. / wish
had persisted in the bush rather" he
persisted. 81, 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.
"Yes, the only consolation l have is
the knowledge that you are aware how
unintentionally | occasion you to suf-
fer
81 know that, 1 am sure of that" she
answered impressively, as she extended
her hand. Il much appreciate your
friendship"
For space he retained her hand
ne Was SlltHI. Illtu ht SpOht Idpluly,
huskily:
"Miss NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. was
a subject upon which l gave my word
never again to address you"
She made quick movement as if to
interrupt him, but checked herself.
Finding encouragement in the last ac-
ton, he proceeded fervently:
THAT was when one lived who had a
prior, 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 you 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 for your reply whether L
may indeed be something to you for
months-nay, years, if you will; only
do not say that when time has assuaged
your grief, my love will still be hope
less"
He had dropped on his knee, and
would have retained her hand, but she
had drawn it away.
Making an effort to maintain her
calmness, Flo, after pause, answered
in low, gentle voice:
II feared, Mr.. Archer, though gener-
ously you have panied me by no word