Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1888-03-14
A Love Test; or. Breaking an En-
gagement-

/ was In, TO be sure she nad promised
10 wed her cousin, Rupert Ludlow, be
cause 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 HetheringtOn and learned to
love him. The young mans passion
ate ayowal had thrilled her heart, and
while she told him of her engagement
he could not help seeing that he was
loved in return.
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 decision cost her she alone
| could know.
The time went by and the day of the
wedding was At hand. In the midst OF
/ the preparations her aunt, Mrs VIII
mott, is smitten with paralysis, and
! Florence is doubly bereaved now with
| the loss of her generous-hearted pro-
! tector.
After the will was read she did not
| see her bethTothed for several days, and
| then lie came 10 her with downcast
face.
II consider that have been deceiv-
ed, 'ihe says. II always understood, as
| did every one else, that you were to be
| your apnt's heiress, and now you tell
| me thA you have known all along that
your a1nt had no power to Will her
properqH away from her husbands fam
ily."
4 fame of anger drives away the
sadness from the girl eyes.
"Say no more,'' she says; 81 will
| forestall your next words. Under eN-
isting circumstances-now that l am
not rich, as you enormously supposed
you desire your freedom. L gladly
give it to you"
And thus the very i'll that old Mrs.
Wilmott had so fondly hoped a marri-
age 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 elasped. In the
home of wealthy widow with one
daughter we again meet our heroine in
the humble capacity of seamstreSs-
Poor Florence! her struggle has been
ard one. At first she had tried
for and obtained position rs teacher;
but her health failing under the unac-
costumed confinement, she had been
obliged 10 turn to her needle as last
resort.
In few days Rosemarie Villa is 10
be the scene of wedding festivities, 10
witness the union of the daughter of
the house, Marie, to the husband of her
choice.
The day arrives. The ceremony IS
over, and the looms are thronged with
the gayly-costumed guests, when, de-
sirous 10 avoid notice, and feeling the
sadder for the recollections of former
days the brilliant scene recalls, Flor
ence slips out into the quiet garden and
makes her way to distant arbor,
where only the faintest sound of the
dance-music penetrates. She enters
and starts back TO find it already Oc-
cupied by gentleman and an elderly
lady.
Sue turns to 90, but an exclamation,
in = voice whose well-remembered
music falls upon her ear with vivid
effect, stays her steps.
Miss Adair, can it be that 1T last
my prayers have been answered and l
have found you?"
Then, answering the surprise in the
eyes which she lIfts TO his face, Max
HeatheIton-fOr it is he-takes her
hand gently, and goes on with eager
rapidity;
uGtIu vi NOuE aunt NCsAAAA, anu
that YOU were free, and 1 sought you
at once; but to find you gone, in what
direction l could not ascertain. Do
you know why it was that 1 am more
than 1 can tell? 1t was
because your expressive face and man
ner, when you told me of your engage
ment, showed me that your heart
was not in il, and l dared to hope that
my enduring love would eventually win
the day. You do not speak, Have l
been too presumptuous, or IS there a
possibility that in tie future / may
gain the boon l crave? But stay; in
my eagerness l am forgetting propriety.
Miss AdaiT. this is my mother. a half
hour ago, feeling faint with the heat of
the crowded rooms, she requested me
TO bring her To some cool, secluded spot,
and We came here. Mother. this is the
Mss Adair of whom l have spoken TO
you SO often"
Then Florence who, had been stand
ing listening TO the above almost as If
~ "-lream, feels her hand drawn into
;. genth clasp, while sweet voice says
softly: -
Il am more than pleased to meet the
girl who has won, 10y her goodness and
beauty, such a lasting place in my sons
A4taLAs anu NAleAA VIC bAON W
know each other we'll"
Not at once does Florence give her
woOer an answer, but when it comes it
is very fervent and satisfying.
"You have always been my ideal of
everything noble and good, and, as
your wife, l cannot help but be con-
tent
So the love that endured conquered
in the end. and one more happy pair
testify each day that passes, to the true,
heart-decp happiness a congenial union
brings.