The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-11-10

| ncT sOrTOW ana 10 20 cneeTiui1 out HVo VI
world to battle for herself
Today she was standing at the school room
window, looking out upon the lawn below
with sad, wistful eyes, She wore long
flowing dress of some thin black material
which fell in folds around the slender, grace
iul FIGURE.
"Will my life never bo happier than IL l
nowr she murmucd with sigh. "Why
has not God blessed me with some OF the joy
andgladness which he has gwen to Others II
! abundanCer
"Miss Grnhnmc"
The girl turned and saw "A servant cir
standing in the open doorway.
Miss Grahame, Mrs. Deerhurst would like
you to come to the drawing room as soon Il:
possible"
Let Mrs Deerhurst know that | will be
there Immediately" answered Florence, and
without delay she prepared TO obey her en-
ployer's bidding. "She wishes me to sing, y
stairs. IL am sorry. am not in the mood
for singing for strangers. | wonder II her
visitors will remain many daysp
As she entered the drawing room, which
was partially filed with visitors, Mrs Deer
hurst came forward and said in tue soft,
sweet voice peculiar to her;
Miss Grahame, Mrs Marston would be
pleased TO hear you sing. She Is very fond
Of vocal music.'
ut will give me great pleasure TO oblige
her. replied Florence, going to tho piano,
which stood open at the other end " the
room
In few moments her wonderful voice was
filling tho room with sweet, sad music.
Oh, fragrant breeze, OH murmuriug trees,
Oh, waving, whispering lines
Oh, there 10 be again with thee,
Ny love of olden times
Az the last low notes died away Florence
lifted her head and saw reflected III "A mirror
before her the figure and face Of John
Macomber. With a face white to the very
lips she turned toward him. Their eyes met
for au instant, and scarcely needing Mrs.
Marston's murmured words Of appreciation,
she left the circle of visitors and lied To the
schoolroom.
"At last" she cried, her heart beating joy
fully. "At last have seen him aud ' all
will soon bo we'll"
She felt that she would sulfocate if she re-
mained within doors, and throwing thin
shawl over her head she went out into the
deepening October twilight All was silent
save for the rustlng Of the falling leaves and
t01scasional cry Of bird
Florence walked on with bright eyes and
a joyful heart. Turning u sharp curve in tho
patti. she came suddenly upon man leaning
against tree and looking moodily upon the
ground. It was John Macomber.
Hearing footsteps, he looked up and saw
Florence, his old love, standing before him,
the color coming and going in her face. His
heart gave great bound and then seemed TO
stand still. Lifting his hat, he said, coldly:
miss Grahame, believe"
"Yes," said Florence, and then she added,
tremulously:
"Mr. Macomber, am glad we have met,
for have something to ask you"
If | eau be Of any service, pray command
ine,n he answered.
"Will you have the kindness TO explain
this letter, which | received from you two
years agof'
~ think can explain that note without
reading it, Miss Grahame."
~ have never understood it," said Flor
ence.
IL was under the impression that its mean
Ing was very plain. In that note intended
to convey the idea that in compliance with
your wish released you from your engage
ment to NO."
"In compliance with my wish" she re-
peated. "Then Grace was right You did
receive letter which you supposed had
written"
81 certainly received a letter from you, In
oh Hae In ral In hnH M lou
mo-"
"John," she cried, II did not write that
etter!'
you did not write 1t"
mo. | never saw it,"
Florence Grahame, what do you meanW
IL mean that the letter which you received
two years ago, and which you supposed was
written by me- was forgery"
"Who wrote itf
81 do not know"
John Macomber looked long and earnestly
into the face OF the girl before him, and he
said to himself that truth lay in her eyes and
Oh her face.
''rhen you were truef he said slowly
yes she answered; and when he turned
away without IA word, forgetful Of pride, for
getful Of everything except that she loved
him, she cried out, "Oh, John, you have
ceased to care for mel"
"God only knows how | love your he
said, with his face still turned away.
"Then why do you not speak to mer
Slowly he turned his face. and its deadly
frightened her
"Oh, my love-" she cried, what is III"
"Hush!" ho said hoarsely. IL am a mar
ried mani"
For while she looked at him in dazed
unable to realize what he meant;
then, as comprehension came to her. she
stretched out her hands and turned away
with long, low cry that told of the death Of
a lifes bright hope.
For while neither spoke. How the man
louged to take the slender figure in his arms
aud murmur loving words OF comfort. How
his heart ached to tell her Of all the passion
alto love and longing that filled him, and Of
how dull and joyless his life would be with
out her.
But 1t could not be. Another woman stood
between them. Another woman claimed his
loving words and caresses, and he could only
stand there in silence, his heart breaking
with love and pity for the girl before him.
Presently Florence raised her head and
said in low, stitled voice:
Cor
my poor lover he murmured tenderly
"Gol' she repeated. Go, i sayl' and with