San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-10-09
THROUGH DANGER;
Or
LIFE IN AUSTRALIA.
great fortune at the dIgglngs.

great fortune at the dIggIngs."
"Diggings. Nonsense. Flo, don't you
be a foolish girl. You marry beggar!
Well, there, don't cry. | suppose you
will wait until the fortunes made. But
you'll see what your uncle will say to
it. Mr.. Bathurst, | trust, will 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
sniff, for she was put ont. 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 sutton, though he was
a gentleman,
On their entering the sitting-rOom
they found the two had quilted the
verandah, and were pacing backwards
and forwards by the gum-trees in seri-
Gus talk. FlO's heart fell. What could
they be speaking about?
The truth was, no sooner had the la
dies gone than Philip Bathurst, as if he
had heard Aunt Cranes remark re-
speeding false pretenSeS, determined to
acquaint the colonel with the truth of
his love, and his position, boldly asking
his consent, as her guardian, to his and
Florence's engagement. Thus ne re-
marked:
Colonel Granger, will you grant me
a few moments private conversation,
as l feel | have no right to accept your
hospitality without first acquainting
you with the sentiments | entertain to-
wards your lovely niece"
A smile fitted over the officers hand
some features; but banishing it he re-
marked seriously:
"YOu love her, Mr.. BathurstW
'Sincely, paSsiOnately."
"And Florence loves yOu?n
"She does, colonel But can she have
told you sO?" inquired the young
man eagerly.
"She has told me nothing. However,
/ read the truth in her eyes when she
introduced you. regret she has been
so secretive."
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 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
will go yOnder 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. He remem-
bered, however, it was probably Flor
ence's future at stake, and fair seeming
was not always fair doing. OF 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
he uttered the more won the colonel.
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," conclud-
ed Philip.
"And the latter, you will own, Mr..
Bathurst" remarked the other dryly,
'are not very brilliant"
ION the contrary" smiled Philip,
"they are almost below Zere. Stff1, for
stock-in-trade l have hope, youth,
health, and determination to succeed.
Besides, though that is the last thing 1
could advance, my uncle may relent."
Then what do you need of me?"
First wish, colonel, to have moth
ing hidden from you. Secondly, your
consent to my marriage with your niece
when have acquired a home and an
income worthy of her acceptance"
"Mr. Bathurst" rejOined the colonel,
hating in the path, you have been
frank with me; l will be the same.
ought to be, for owe you gratitude;
but it is not that. I like you. You
have spoken honestly and like a man.
Win the fortune, and if by advice l can
aid you / will. I'll not ask large one,
and if Flo keeps of the same mind, my
consent is yours. There's my hand up
on it."
Philip grasped the soldiers palm with
mtoA emotion. Every obstacle, appar-
emily, was fading from his path. After
all, how smoothly the course of their
love promised to run.
Nov / see the ladies have returned"
proceeded the colonel, "let us join them.
You must need refreshment.h
That evening, as Flo stood in the We
randall watching the silver moon rising
over the distant range of hills, Philip
came out to her.
"Oh. Philip" she murmured, as he