The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1888-03-03
A LOVE TEST.
OR BREAKING AN ENGAGEMENT.

What predicament Florence
Adair was in, to be sure. She had
promised to wed her consin, Rupert
Ludlow, because she was grateful for
her aunt's kindness to her, and as
she rather liked him at first, believed
that in time she would love him.
That was before she met Max Heth-
erton and learned to love him. The
young mans passionate avowal had
thrilled her heart, while she had
told him other engagement he could
help seeing that he was loved in re-
turn.
When she was alone in her room
she wept bitterly and after many
heart struggles she made up her
mind that she would keep to her
promise and try and forget young
Hetherington. How much that de-
cision cost her she alone could tell.
The time went by and the day of
the wedding was at hand. In the
midst Of the preparations her amt,
Mrs. Wilmott, is smitten with paral-
ysis, and Florence is doubly bereav-
ed now with the loss of her gener-
ous-hearted protector.
After the will was read she did
not see her betroted for several days,
and then he came to her with down
cast face.
81 consider that l have been de-
ceived," he says. II always under
stood, as did every one else that you
were to be your aunt's heiress, and
now you tell me that you have
known all along that your aunt had
no power to will her property away
from her husbands family"
A flame of anger drives away the
sadness from the girls eyes.
Say no more" she says 81 will
forestall your next words. Under
existing circumstances-now that |
am not rich, as you enormously sup
posed-you desire your freedom. l
gladly give it to you"
And thus the very ill that old
Mrs. Wilmott had so fondly hoped
a marriage with her favorite would
avert from her loved niece came,
and Florence was cast upon the
world to battle her own way as best
she could.
Five years have elapsed. In the
home of a wealthy widow with one
daughter we again find our heroine
in the humble capacity of a seam
stress.
Poor Florencel her struggle has
been a hard one. AT first she had
tried for and obtaiued position as
teacher but her health failing un-
der the unaccustomed confinement,
she had been obliged to turn to her
needle as a last resort.
In few days Rosemarie Villa is
to be the scene of wedding festivities
to witness the union of the daugh-
ter of the house, Marie, to the hus-
band of her choice.
The day arrives. The ceremony
is over, and the rooms are thronged
with the gayly-costumed guests,
when, desirious to avoid notice, and
feeling the sadder for the rscOllec-
tions Of former days the brilliant
scene recalls, Florence slips out into
the quiet garden, and makes her
way to a distant arbor, where only
the faintest sound ofthe dance music
penetrates. She enters and starts
back to find it already occupied by
a gentleman and an elderly lady.
She turns to go, but an exclama-
ton, in voice whose well-remem-
bered music falls upon her ear with
vivid effect, stays her steps.
"Aliss Adair, can it be that at least
my prayers have been answered and
l have found you"
"Then answering the surprise in
the eyes which she lifts to his face,
Max Heatherton-for it is he-takes
her hand gently, and goes on with
eager rapidity;
81 heard of your aunt's death, and
that you were free, and | sought you
at once, but to find you gone, in
what direction could not ascertain
Do you know why it was that
am more disappointed than l can
tell ? 1t was because your expires
sive face and manner, when you
told me of your engagement, showed
me that was not in it, and dared
to hope that my enduring love would
eventually win the day. You dc
not speak. Have l been too pre-.
sumptuous, or is there a possibility
that in the future | may gain the
| hoOn | ornvoo Rut stoy in M, ao.