The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-04-23

the loss of dear papa, not a
word of kindness, of sympathy. He
might have written, for l left my adj
dress with Susan for him. No, he was
proud to win my love-men are flirts as
much as wonderland once assured of /
it he was content, and went to WOO ,
others. Oh, it's shameful"
And Flo's cheek flushed as she paced /
her pretty room.
II never would have believed it of |
him, though. He was 50 handsome, |
80 honest, and-truthful-lOOking No,
l can't believe it. Still what mat
ters, it isn't likely we shall ever meet
again, and it's foolish of me not to be
able to-to forget him. There, from
this moment, I'll try will, | will,
will. I'll marry Herbert, which will de-
light both uncle and auntie. And then,
a wife with a home of my Own, l must
not remember Philip. No, III forget
him as he has long, long forgotten me,
and to make it easier I'll not keep any
thing that reminds me of him."
While speaking she had unlocked her
desk and taken from it a small gem
ring and sprig of withered heather.
I'm lose the ring in the bush, for 1
couldn't bear to give it away, and-and
there goes the heather"
She made to throw it out Of the win
dow, but the hand refused to obey the
will.
Forget himl It's no good, can't, I
can't Oh, Philip, Philip" And bend
ing low, she pressed the mementoes of
that sweet first love to her lips. Her
uncle's voice calling aroused her. Hast
lily she returned the ring and heather to
the desk, smOothed her hair, and ran
down stairs.
As she entered the room there was
the quick tread of horses hOOfs along
the road. The colonel, rising, stepped
into the verandah.
Its Archer he said. His visit is
early. Make some hotter coffee, Kate.
After his ride he II not mind a second
breakfast
Quitting the verandah he soon re-
turned with his guest.
1t was a young man of about eight
and-twenty, of middle height, and Of
slender frame, the litheSOmeness Of
which was apparent, despite the rough
servicable squatter's suit he wore. His
features were regular and handsome,
his complexion of clear white that
exposure to the sun hardly darkened.
His hair, like his long mOuStache, was
of a glossy black, while his eyes. large
and Of the same color, possessed singu-
lar bTillianCe, such as Is observed at
times in an animals.
His expression was full of energy and
/ TeSOlve-that of man who admitted
no failure He had landed in the new
world when the gold fever was at its
height Had had a lucky find, with
which he had turned SQuatter. All he
/ had put his hand to had thriven. No
| obstacle had occurred to arouse the
/ evil side Of Herbert ArcheT's character
for there was an evil Side-untll a
! year previously he had made the ac-
/ QuaintanCe of Colonel Granger. and
seen Florence; from that instant he
was in love. and, as was his nature,
threw himself heart and soul into his
| passion.
Well-tO-do, a gentleman, no man near
| his equal. he had little fear Of failure
but his assurance grew less as he knew
more of Flo. Something in her man
ner ever kept him from making his
declaration. and only the knowledge,
easily aScertained from the colonel S
sister, that he had no rival, kept him
patient-that is, Outwardly.
On this morning. however, he had
ridden over to Shady Greek, OStensibly
to look at a new purchase of cattle OF
the cOlOnels, but really to learn his
fate.
And how can it be other than as ]
wish it, = he had reflected as he rode
rs she not kindness itSelfl Does she
not ever show pleasure in my society
sing the songs I like, OF play the piece:
| deSlreI Nonsense. my heart has NJ
need to beat so neTvOusly. Had L {
rival 1t would be different-diffeTent 2nC
dangerous, especially for him, and tht
long slender hands clenched, the ret
light shOne in the dark eyes. But
have none. Who could rival me on
here? Besides, have l not said tina
Florence Granger shall be my wife, ant
that of no other man. and never ye
have 1 been baked in that upon whicl
have set my mind
Such had been Herbert Archer
. thoughts as he rode to Shady Cree
through the sweet spring morning, Bu
. as he entered the room with the cOlOne
the set expression died out OF M
countenance, giving place to one OF ger
tleness as his gaze rested upon Flo.
There must have been sOmcthln
more than gentleneSs in it-SOmethln
that startled the girl-something vague
underlined, vet like a preSentlment {
coming trouble. For the first time he
color rose, and her eyes fell beneath hi
glance; she felt constrained and restles
in his presence.
As soon as she was able she quite
the table and occupied herself at ne
wOrk-basket. Whenever she lifted ht
ewes she found those of Herbert Archie
upon her. What was there in the
dark, brilliant depths that made ht
breath come quickly as one III fear?
To her relief the colonel soon aros
saying:
r the cattle. You'll confess, L am sur
T I've made a good bargain. OF cour:
1 you viii dine here"
Q Il fear not, d" was the reply; my sta
e indeed. cannot exceed an hour or S
, colonel
? I'm sorry, but business before plea
e IRE. my boy That motto builds l
:, fortunes Well, the cattle will not tai
long; then Flo, no doubt, will show "
the alterations she has been making
+: her garden
u The last sentence was spoken outSl
: on the verandah.
:, Flo was not compelled to hear; S
: determined not to. but directly TN
: had gone and her aunt had left to Supt
II intend some household duties, 5
IL spranC upstairs, put on her rldlng-hab
then Slipped round to the stable vine
N old Jeck was doing in the sun.
n "Jeck." " she said, 1.-The morning Is
IN fine that | want a spin in the bus
Saddle YOUR horse and mine as qulcE
+ as YOU can, there's good Jeck.
T Yes. missile; Jeck very quick; he
1, sleep ever over missiles orders.
)e Thank YOU, .Jeck; when they {
rs ready, bring them down to the road
the Seven Trees. If anyone asks y
re where l am going, Say-say, shall
d back in half an hour.
III ''Y eS. missile: Jeck know
IL q never felt like this before, retie
ed Flo, as she fastened to the tr
re named. IF Herbert thinks OF prop
II ing. why cannot | wait and refuse M
to as | must? Why do | tTemble and I
so nervous? Is il because of my RENE
e brance of Philip this mornlngI Is
is because | know | shall pain auntie?
e. it because do not know my own mil
n: No. it's not that. l don know wha
OF is, only that l don't want Herbert
no DronoSe to-day. I am weak and he
d Gus, and fear him.
be Inst tben Jpck came canterinc