The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-04-30
THR0UGH DANGER !;
OR
LIFE IN AUSTRALIA.


CHAPTER III.
HERBERT ARCHER's RIVAL.
Flo Granger had not long enioved
her sense Of. escape from a proposal
Whlcn mtuftively She knew Threatened
her, when, tie sound of a horses an
PIo5ch causing her to turn. she behefd
lie 4perl- -ATGher evidently ia pursuit.
o olle btt her lip with ANNOYANCE. and
IOr an instant hesitated how to pro-
Geed. Her inclination was to avoid
nlm but she felt not only would fight
be undignifed. but an insult to which
she had no right to subject him.
a mans love does a woman honor.
she reflected, land should win her re-
spect and consideration though she can
not TeclprOcate it. After all better
tliaJ the moment when he must know
lhe truth should not be DELAYED. Yet
II Is hard to give any one pain"
CIlechlng her horse, she rode at
slower pace, and Herbert Archer speed
ny gained upon her. As he reached the
dbouglne, leaning forward he slipped
some silver in his hand.
FRIEND Jeck," he said, ''I wish to
speak with your young mistress-vOu
understand; you can drop little back,
Will De her escort, and while am near
GCu may De sure no harm shall over
Alright, NIisser Archer, Jeck unner-
SJah pgiily,. grluned the Australian as
ne pocEeied the coins; "Jeck not in
rupt."
Herbert Archer, with a nod of ap-
prOval. galIOpcd on
"Jeck thought it strange missile
should ride OF directly handsome Mis-
ser Archer put M nose in the station.
MlSSle guessed he'd follow. he. he he
Can't deceive old Jeek. p
The .aborigine, marvelousIv satisfied
with his acuteness, reined in the horse
ne rode to It's slOWest pace, and fell into
Germs.
Meanwhile Herbert Archer had over
taken Flo.
1.-The Ioveliness of the morning has. I
see. .Jenptedypu to ride. Miss Grain
ger he remarked. Il saw YOU as I
was about to leave the station but
couldnOJ 90 without saving farewell. ."
The speech in nOwavaIlaved the pirI's
suspicious. for she knew it was hot true.
but slic replied quietly:
Leaving, Nr. Archer? l understood
you puTpaeed remaining an hour or two
with uncle. 50 should have returned be-
fore your departure
There was just d pause for moment.
the young mans eyes We're lowered
then bent on herf full of earnest passion
why do | heSItate2 Why beat about
the bUshg" he exclaimed in low. quick
accents. My intended stay was to
find an opportunity Of seeing you. Of
speaking to YOU, and when I saw you
riding into the bush. | could not let the
chance escape I dared to follow
Forgive me. DO not say that 1 have
Cffendedy'
'OffendedI', she repeated with as
sumed Ightness, though her pulse fiut-
tered nervOusly. "FOrgivel What is
there to? Ny ride was to be but a
short one. You must return with me
to the station, Mr.. Archer for uncle
Will not like you to leave without
luncheon"
"AVhether I do or not. Miss Granger,
the next few minutes must decide,n he
answered impTessivelv. Then leaning
over towards her, his eyes ardent, fun
of fire. seeking hers. he continued:
You must decide Miss Granger
surely you can guess, you must know
what Ishave to sayI''.
FlO's cheek was pale, her eyes were
lowered, her hands trembled as she
strOve to draw rein. for they were en-
tertng q thick grove Of trees, as she
Il hope not-I-I think not; that is,
there are some things better never
said"
y shadow passed over his handsome
face. e Ill.
"But this thing must be said. " he an
swered. Whatever your reply, what
ever my wretched fate. I must now
speak. Nay, do not stop, do not seek
to turn YOUR horse. Florence. Florence,
YOU must hear me. I love you, with all
my being. with all my soul. I on are
deareF than the air / breathe. Florence,
Florence. my destiny, my happiness are
in Your hands. Speak, reflect before
you answer. Think that you have it in
-yOHr-peWCr to render a mans Iife-a
life now fun of healthfUl hope, of Joy
and energy useless ruin. q misery,
a wreck. One little word can do this;
them Florence, as you are powerful be
mercitul, pity, pity. -....
His hand on her bride. the horses
had paced side by side into the deeper
receSses of the forest, and Flo was help
less to check their progress. for Her
bert Archpr's feTvont passion over
Whelmed her. His dark eyes once on
hers. she felt unable to avoid them,
they held her Like spell. Then as he
abruptly bent his head before her on hiS
hands, and almost passiOnately sObbed
forth his prayer for her mercy, aher lip
tremblel. tears SWAN into her eyes.
DO not speak thus. DO not say
thatW she calculated, distressed. 'Oh,
you must, not, Mr. Archer. yOu-yOu
must not think of me Inthat way. oh,
have wished SO often to tell YOU, but
but I could not How could ~
Tell me what, Florence2 In the
name of Heaven, what" he cried,
E abruptly catching her hand. ~ on
knew my lOve-yOu saw how 1 worship
ped you;'
averted face-
p Ted.'a 49, a--
'Belause I could not return it"
D. ~ - = l.,
Or feared YOU could not? Surely. Flor
ence. such q passion as mine must win
response. Listen. dearest. You are to
Inc all i'm all. My dreams are peOpled
with vOur sweet presence. Nv waking
thoughts have you ever before them.
worship YOU. Be mine, Florence. and
nv love shall never have been equalled
Ny one idea. my one effort, shall be to
assure your happiness. Not wish but
l viii try to crafty 1t. DO with me
what YOU will. Give me but half love;
take me as l am. Florence; only give
me the right to lie at your feet, to touch
your hand. to press your lip your slave
but yet your husband. Give me at
least hope that in time this may bei''
"Oh. pray. pray cease, - lmplored Flo
UiteOuslv who had become neryOUSly
aware that Jeck was not in sight. Mr.
Archer. You should not speak like that.
it is not like nlan-yOu-yOu fTighten
me.
Not like a man to love? To love to
yOur own sacrifice. to feel even the
sc0m and frOWn of one woman are bet
ter than the most h0neyed smiles Of all
the rest? Oh. Florence. You cannot say
no TO such an affection. If You have
the heart Of woman it must move
you" .a..--.r.
1T does. deeply, Nr. Archer she re-
joined. trying to steady her agitated
voice. The more so that | cannot re-
nuite IL. Oh do not ask for hnne II