The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-04-30
nooped, ave. Ied. men he leaned near

pride aroused. Then she covered and
shTunk away as her gaze lighted on his
face.
Yes, Florence, mine; you must be
mine. Though you were to hate me, L
must yet love you. | must call you
wife,
She uttered a cry of alarm and moved
her horse. Rapidly his hand was on the
rein.
mo, Florence. dearest Florence! you
must not leave me until you have prom
ised. Do mot fear. darling. | will not
harm you, but | cannot let you go until
l have your promise.
.'Nevert1 exclaimed Flo, her anger
roused. Mr.. Archer, you are a cow
ard to speak thus, to threaten me.
deSpiSe You" r.. .... r.
As she spoke, by quick, sudden
movement she plucked the bride from
him. The horse reared and swerved
sharply round. A cry of pain burst
from FlO's lips, for her temple had come
in violent contact with the branch of a
tree. She sWayed in her saddle, then
dropped back, her senses for moment
leaving her
Herbert Archer had seen the accident
and. with an exclamation of alarm,
darted forward in time to prevent her
falling. In a space his manner had
changed. Terror, as he gaZed on the
pale. lovely face resting on his shoul-
der. dominated all other feelings
" Florence. my Florence. he ex-
claimed, speak, dearest. She has faint
ed. Yes, only that
Lifting her tenderly in his strong
arms, he dismoUnted and rested her on
the grass, supporting her head on his
arm. Would she not come to? How
still the air was; if it would but blow
on her face How tightly the riding
habit grIpped the soft, white throat.
In Il second his nervous fingers had
united the ribbon, and plucked open the
first buttons of the habit to admit the
breeze. That was better, the life was
coming back.
All. what was that}
A slender hair chain fastened about
the throat. They were sacred, beloved
treasures worn like that.
Herbert Archer felt the blood rush
/ t.. his head, then swiftly back to his
heart.
1t was dishonorable, but that should
not deter him.
He threw one hurried glance round;
then drew the hair chain forth. AS he
! had guessed, a miniature lOcbet was at
tached.
Her fathers likeness. Perhaps her
mothers.
Something whispered to him It was
, neither. Eagerly he pressed the spring.
. Tie cover opened. and a deep curse
burst from his lips as he bCheld the
; yOuu". handsome. manly face that
4 smiled-tO him 1t seemed detiantly-Out
of the lOcket.
is this my rival? Is it a dead or liv-
/ ing OneEn he mutteTed. rs this why
she refused me? If sO-better for him
} if dead, or better for both if he never
/ crosses my path"
y movement of Flo's. who was re-
/ covering. aroused him.
Closing the lOcket he returned It to
its sacred rpSrlng-plaCp. bUttOned the
throat of the habit. and clumsily enough
tied the ribbon; then he drew to a re-
spectful distance waiting her recovery.
I No sooner did recollection return
than Flo sprang to her feet.
DO not be alarmed . said Herbert
, Archer, the branch of yOnder tree
struck you, and you tainted. L trust
you are not much hurt
More mentally than physically, sir,
+ she responded. cOldlv. Where is my
} seryantY How is it he is not here?"
lie Is here-see," " as Jeck IoOmed in
sight. " \ our lnsensIbllIty lasted but
few seconds"
But for You, Herbert Archer. it
i would never have occurred, she re-
/ Joined, haughtily. No. sir; l can dis
! pense with your help and your escort,
( as she spTang into the saddle unaided.
/ Il can neither forgive your words nor
yOur behavior -
Florence. is the great love bear you
! no eXcuseI' he pleaded. i cannot, viii
not believe that, unlesS''-he fixed his
/ eyes intently on her-''I have rival.
/ The blood mounted to her cheek, but
she replied quietly:
Mr.. Archer, YOU have forfeited all
! right to put that question. You and l
/ can scarcely be friends even any longer.
I Farewell. >
She turned her horses head as she
spoke. He stood near his.
Florence, he said, you are dearer
to me than all women. / yet must hope
I I will
She did not perceive the expression in
his eyes as she moved away. 1t was
thatOf a man who had formed a re-
/ solYe. and would let nothing balk him
/ She made no response, but, gathering
/ her -Teins@ was about 10 ride from sthe
+ trees, when the silence was broken by
/ the sound Of clear, rich, manly voice
/ singing:
81 love to hear the ringing rife,
/ The shifting aX,-thc falling tree:
Eget " IN bta4Slgh Slgt gur,fe s Ro9T aPd loWly
/ Flo Granger hsa-eHielly swung her
J horse round in the direction of the
sounds; her breath came quickly:
startled yet Joyous light was in her
eyes as she fixed them along the vista
OF trees. fieCkeC with bright sunshine
Herbert Archer had also turned.
BY Joye, Mark, added q voice as the
[ song ceased, Its all very well to say
so, but the reality scarcely comes mp to
J the sentiment. Three days in this con
/ founded bush. camping out"
lie checked himself quickly and drew
rein, as side by side with his foster
brother he came through the trees upon
/ the others: then he dashed forward, as
/ the girl also advanced.
Can it be?" he CALCULATED. 'FlOr-
ence,"
.Philip,'
MY rival" hiSsed Herbert Archer
through his teeth, and, leaping on his
I horse he dashed away among the trees
''iialo! reelected Mark, who had OBJ
served the dark. threatening scOwl.
who is That, I wOnder2 Whoever if is.
there s dan ger in him, I'd swear If it
is to Mr.. Phil, he'll find he's got two to
deal with. F" ...H .... ..I.
CHATTER ".
MARK HILTON SCENTS DANGFR.
In that happy reunion neither Flo
I nor Philip had a thought to spend on
/ Herbert Archer. Their hands clasped
for a space they were silent in their sur
! prise. their eyes speaking. however. a
I language more eloquent tlan words.
lis it a dream? Can it be? 1t seems
so wonderful" " finally exclaimed Flo.
Dream, Pray Heaven. no. ejacu-
| lated Philip Bathurst. 1T would be
cruelty indeed again to lose You, Flor-
ence, after al my search -
"YoWr se;aph2 Have You searched
for me then, Philip; a pleased tender
( light mheT eyes. g ..glarE
"IIave | not, dearest? Adelaide and