San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-10-11
THROUGH DANGER
Or
LIFE IN AUSTRALIA.
entreat pardon. Do not refnse.n

entreat pardon. Do not refuse"
He had flung himself at her feet, and
now timidly-as it seemed, reyerentially
-clasped her dress.
Flo was startled. but more so at the
change in him. He was wan and bag
gard. She could well believe in that
sleepless night, and she did feel pity.
MIR. Archer she rejOined, as stead
lily as she could, you had no right to
address me as you did yesterday;
that for space YOU had lost all self
control must be your excuse. I our
repentance wins my compassion, though
felt | could never feel kindly towards
you again"
"Oh, Florence!" and he bowed his
head on her dress.
IF, indeed, you wish my pardon, l
give it Sincerely
you forgiver' he cried, looking up.
"Oh, FlOrence-angelN
"Only,n she proceeded, drawing lit
tie back, ION condition that you never
address syllable of love to me again"
Your will shall be my law he an
swered, "only do not Danish me. We
were friends-I hoped to be more; do
not punish my presumption by making
me less. Forget the words lspOke yes
terdayn
.:Most willingly, >" she responded, with
a sense of relief. Now, rise. Mr..
Archer; this is no position for you"
Zone instant" he pleaded. "Tell me
this. Have | to entreat the pardon of
others?-yOur uncle's, your aunt's?-
How have they regarded me?"
AT present have failed to find an
opportunity of acquainting them with
what occurred - she rpnlipd
'They know nothing?" he repeated,
quickly.
Nothing as yet"
"Florence-I should say Miss Grain
ger, dare ask for more than pardon
for silence? You cannot appreciate
the humiliation a man experiences who
loves, and is pointed at as-rejected.
You have pitied mel have read that
in your eyes, too pure for cOncealment;
you have promised to forget: in mercy
to me, and the suffering it would give
me, will you keep the utteranCe of my
love secret between us twO?'
Again answer, most willingly" re-
piled Flo, greater gentleneSs in her
manner, for she was touched by the
earnestness of his manner, and the evil
dent pain he was undergoing. "Mr.
Archer, if the secret be between us two,
the more easy will it be to forget. Let
us say no more about it; but, if you
will, let us continue friends"
With that impulse felt by all gener-
Gus natures, Flo extended her hand. He
took it, and held it with almost nerv-
bus reverence.
".You are too good for me, far too
good; but you are an angel, Ia man."
he said. "As a sign that the past is
dead, that henceforth we are friends
only friends may kiss your hand2"
Before she could reply, he had pressed
his lips on the slender fingers; then he
released them,
"You have made me comparatively
happy man, Miss Granger" he re-
marked, " will no longer detain you"
"Will you not come and see uncle?"
she inquired, at loss what to say.
mot now, please, not now," he re-
joined, with waving motion of the
hand. "Good-day."
Glad to be free, Flo made a similar
response. and passed him where he yet
knelt. Before quitting the trees she
prone on the grass, his hands clutching
1t systematically, and his frame CULVER
ing with emotion.
"Poor, poor fellow!" thought the girl
as she hurried on, tears of pity in her
eyes.
She would have recalled her sympa.
thy had she seen Herbert Archer as he
rose up few moments later. Wan
and haggard yet, for he was in the field
of the fierce war of jealousy, but his
features wore smile of triuinph and
satisfaction.
when matters go so easily, it would
be ungrateful to dream of failure" he
reflected, as he quilted the spot. II
have conquered her fears, | have won
her compassion; and, equally good, her
silence. l can now visit Shady Creek
as usual, and when am not on watch,
Mat will be. l must learn more of this
Philip Bathurst-why he is here, what
he intends TO do-befOre | can form my
plans, which feel already success will
crown"
" Reaching the clump of trees where
his horse was fastened, and which COM
manded Shady Creek Station, he looked
back and his teeth clenched angrily as
he beheld standing in the yerandah,
side by side, Philip Bathurst, his rival,
and the woman he loved.
hHnw secure, no doubt, he thinks
himself he muttered But, never
never" shaking his clenched hand
NI ittla dnao aithar frnacS u,hat tho O.,