The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-07-23

tended to marry after this cruel deser-
ton; yet he had done so because chance
had revealed to him that a lovely orphan
had become devotedly attached to him.
1t was thus that he had been induced
TO offer his hand TO the gentle lady who
had been Florence's mother, and who
died fully eight years before.
1t was on the very next day after his
soliloquy that Florence came slowly
across the lawn attached to their small
dwelling Gt was about half-past seven
in the EVENING" and she was about to
window, when her alarmed eyes caught
the view of shadowy figure bending
over the davenport in the corner.
Florence drew q quick breath, sup
pressed cry, and, determined to ascer-
tain the truth, made step within the
long window.
"Who are your Why do you come
here2" faltered the frightened girl.
The figure at the desk smothered an
exclamation of fear and sped to the
door, which, however she found locked;
for Susan, terrified lest the ghost
should reappear, would fain have
closed door and window in her masters
absence; but Florence had enjoined her
to leave the window open this lovely
evening, so she had contented herself
with closing the door of the sitting
room.
This way Of retreat thus cut off, the
"ghost" " stopped short, attempted to
pass the lady of the house, but Florence
was too quick for her, intercepting the
path, and hastily closing the window,
for the girl regained her courage as she
perceived that the intruder looked ter
rifed and sad, and was trembling from
head to foot.
"Who are your Why do you come
hereF" repeated Florence, in an un.
steady voice.
1t was difficult for her to imagine that
the graceful, willowy form and pale,
beautiful face Of the intruder belonged
to thief, and certainly they were not
those of a ghost
'Hush hush have pity on me. Do
not betray me |" implored the other.
"Betray you |" echoed Florence. IL
must ask what you mean. Who are
your"
"Who are you?" replied the lady, in
low, agitated voice, which was yet
full of melody. Florence's heart was
fast melting toward her unexpected
guest
"Who am ?" said the girl. 81 live
here. I am Florence Arlington. Do
you know my father?"
"Once did !" exclaimed the stranger
sinking on her knees. "Oh, Florence
let me call you so-has your father
never spoken to you of Ethel Lane2"
"Never, that 1 remember" replied
the wondering Florence.
"Nor of Lady Ellington 2"
81 have heard that Lady Lillington
has bought house in this neighborhood
that is all know of her" answered
Florence, wondering more and more.
81 was Ethel Lane-now 1 am Count.
ess of Lillington-the woman whom
your father first loved and who has
always loved him. Florence, 1 have
come here to ascertain if he has quite
forgotten me. If he has not 1 will
venture all; I will let him understand
that | have never forgotten him u
By this time Florences heart was
haatinov fnot aud ha etrntahal H..
hands to Lady Ellington though she
could not speak ut this moment. All,
now she comprelended the meaning OF
one or two remarks her mother had lei
fall from her dying lips relative to hei
father.
"He has made me so happy! He ha.
been always SO tender and so noble,
though was not the woman he loved. ;
She had learned the sad romance il
the life of her dear father, Just as she
had begun to realize that the romance OF
her own life would be sad for she
could never hope to marry Cecil Lauton
she had heard that his uncle was q
stiekler for his own dignity and fol-
wealth on both sides of an engaged
couple, or poverty on both sides that
made the match equal. Even if Cecil
ever declared the love which shone il
his eyes, how could she accept it, when
it might bring him to poverty But he
would go away and never declare it.
"Speak to mel Do not turn against
mel" entreated Lady Ellington, ant
then the next moment Florence wa!
weeping in her arms.
TWAS some time before she grew com
posed enough to question Lady Lilling
ton about what she wished to get out o.
the davenport.
FLORENCE, that will settle the ques
tion!" was the reply. "Your father tolt
me eighteen years ago, when he wa
but twenty-three, aud l not quite you
age, that he loved me so fondIy tina
even my desertion would not quite xii
his loye-that he would guard forever
little water-color l had given him,
likeness OF myself See here, he said
Il put it here Ethel, and there it shal
stay till it is buried with me or till
ioyfully place it where my eyes Cal
quickest meet it upon our wedding day
Florence, is it there now? If so, it is
gage that he loves me still if not, dar
not ask him to forgive the past and t
share my fortune !"
"And this is why you came" erie
Florence throwing her arms aroun
Lady Ellington.
1t was agreed between the lovin
confederates that the countess shoul
pay one more visit to Laurel Cottage fc
the purpose of ascertaining whether til
shabby little davenport contained he
likeness; but that this time FlorenC
should lend her aid by obtaining I'll
key of the escritoire, and by admittin
her herself to the sitting-room early OIL
morning long before any OF the inmat,
OF the cottage were astir.
Mr. ARLINGTON WAS 10 he ahaant for