San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-10-07

nope mott THINK not; that Is,
there are some things better never
said"
A shadow passed over his handsome
face.
But this thing must be said" he an
swered. whatever your reply, what
ever my wretched fate, / must now
speak. Nay, do not stop, do not seek
TO turn your horse. Florence. Florence,
you must hear me. love you, with all
my being, with all my soul. You are
dearer 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
your power to render a mans life-a
life now full of healthful hope, of joy
and energy-a useless ruin, a misery,
a wreck. One little word can do this:
then, Florence, as you are powerful be
merciful, pity, pityl"
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 Archer's fervent 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, her lip
trembled, tears swan into her eyes.
"Do not speak thus. DO not say
that" she calculated, distressed. "Oh,
you must not, Mr.. Archer, you-yOu
must not think of me in that way Oh,
i have wished 80 often to tell YOU, but
but could not. How could II"
Tell me what, Florence? In the
name Of Heaven, WHAT" he cried.
abruptly catching her hand. you
knew my love-you saw how worship
ped your"
II feared So" she whispered with
averted face.
Feared"
Because I could not return it."
mo, no, no." he broke in, mot that.
Or feared you could not? Surely, Flor
ence, such passion as mine must win
response. Listen, dearest. You are to
me all in all. My dreams are peOpled
with your sweet presence. My waking
thoughts have you ever before them. /
worship you. Be mine, Florence, and
my love shall never have been equalled
My one idea, my one effort, shall be to
assure your happiness. Not wish but
l Will try to crafty it. 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 be-"
"Oh, pray, pray cease" implored Flo
piteously, who had become nervouSly
aware that jock was not in sight. Mr..
Archer, you should not speak like that,
1t is not like a man-you-you brighten
me-"
Not like man to love? To love to
your own sacrifice, to feel even the
scOrn and frown of one woman are bet
ter than the most hOneyed smiles Of all
the rest? Oh, Florence, you cannot say
no to such an affection. If you have
the heart of a woman it must move
YOU"
1T does, deeply, Mr.. Archer" she re-
joined, trying to steady her agitated
voice. 1.-The more so that | cannot re-
quite 1t. Oh, do not ask for hope. 1t
would be wrong, cruel, to let you have
that belief. l respect you'll like you
no more"
He drew slightly back. A strange
wilderness was on his face, his lips were
set, his dark eyes were full of fire as he
looked upon the young girl, her head
dropped, averted. Then he leaned near,
his tones husky.
Florence, reflect; you know not
what you say. You know not me. You
must, you shall be mine. cannot live
without you"
Mr.. Archer she calculated, her
pride aroused. Then she covered and
shrunk away as her gaze lighted on his
face.
Yes, Florence, mine; you must be
mine. Though you were to hate me,
must yet love you. | must call you
wife"
She uttered cry Of alarm and moved
her horse. Rapidly his hand was on the
rein.
II y OsWttsuSd.1