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

tt mt all ne speaker wis u tlll, pTdCeIu
girl of about 20, with a clear cut, beautiful
face grave, sweet eyes Of deep hazel, broad
white brow, and waving brown hair. "What
can he meanf'
II was the twentieth time, at least, tina,
Florence Grahame had repeated these word.
during the past fifteen minutes ana she was
no nearer the solution of the matter which
puzzled her than she had been before. Sud
denly she arose from her seat by the window
of the pretty sitting room and went into the
room adjoining, where little woman OF so
or thereabout, with large, round blue eyes
and fluffy yellow hair was quietly sewing
Grace" she said, addressing the little
woman before her, please read this and
favor me with your opinion as TO its mean
ing. must confess that it is entirely be
yond my powers of comprehension.
Grace, or Mrs. Harding, was Florence Ora
names sister and nine years her senior; but
being childish in deposition she was accus-
toned to defer to Florence and Charles Hard
ing, her husband, in everything. 1t was
very seldom that she was consulted on q sub
ject Of any Importance, aud consequently
she fully appreciated this opportunity Of dis
playing her wisdom. She took up tho letter
which Florence had placed on the table at her
side, and this Is what she road:
MISS GRAHANE-After the avowal you have
made, which, pardon me IL ! say I think might
have been made some time ago with more Justice
20 mo- Tcan do nothing but release you from an
engagement which am heartily sorry ever OK.
sted. Very truly. JoHS MAcoanEn.
"WellF' said Florence impatiently.
when did you receive this exceedingly
strange epistler asked her sister
about twenty minutes ago, and can as.
sure you that am utterly unable to account
for its meaning"
Have you quarreledf asked Grace.
"No; there has not been the slightest dis
agreement between us"
Florence. John Macomber Is sensible
man. He would not act in this manner with
out some cause"
Little Mrs. Harding took up the letter again
and read it through
What does he mean by saying that you
have made an avowalr she asked.
THAT is just the question was endeavor.
ing to answer when asked for your assist
aDce,n answered Florence
"Charle will understand II, am sure"
sad Grace. 1--WE will ask him when he
comes home this evening"
"We will do nothing Of the kind" replied
Florence "Charlie's power for discovering
the meanings f pulling epistles is doubtless
unlimited, but have no desire to let every
ono know that | have been Tilted" And
with these words she turned and walked to
tho window on the opposite side OF the room.
"Florence"
swell, Grace, what have said to shock
you, Was it my remark In reference to
Charlier
ut was not what you said about Charlie"
answered Mrs Harding, though am sorry
you will not allow me to tell him about this
letter, rs am sure no would understand It,"
she added with wifely pride 81 was sur
prised to hear you say that you had been
Tilted"
III suppose that Is tho correct word"
81 don't believe that You suppose anything
Of the kind, and IL you do you are very fool
ish,"
"Wbat else Is there left for me to thinkr
said Florence, turning suddenly. "He has
left me In a manner which justifles me In
thinking So"
Florence" said Mrs Harding, rising and
going over to her sister who was standing by
tho window with troubled eyes and cold,
hard expression on her face. Florence,
don't you think some ono may have written
John Macomber a letter In your name, ask
ing him to release you from your engage
mentW
1T is Just possible" said tho girl slowly
at Is more than possible it IL probable.
At least you should give him the benefit Of
tho doubt. am certain that he loves you
devotedly, and no would not have dc serted
you In this manner without some reason"
But who could have written him such
letter as you speak Off
'Some one who desired to separate you
two. Florence, in his letter John refers TO
All avowal which no says you have made.
He certainly would not have done so had he
not been under the impression that you had
made IL. That avowal caused him to write
this letter You say that you have not writ
ten to him; then it Is clear some ons else has
written in your name"
You are right, Grace. II is strange that
| did not think OF that before. Some one has
ceeded"
"Whyi You have only to show this note to
John, and all will be we'll"
"A very easy netnOu OF Settll1S tne al1atT,
II it were only possible. Unfortunately Mr..
left the village this evening"
THAT il unfortunate. Who told your
1.-THE boy who brought me this letter. |
thought when no handed il to mo that 1t was
u note explaining the suddenness OF his de.
parture."
Perhaps no left his address with some Of
his friends"
"He has very few friends In the village,
and 1t Is OF likely that he would have ac-
qualnted any OF them with his plans, leaving
as he did"
"Nsver mind. am sure that you will
hear something from him soon"
Mrs. Harding had gone back to her scat
and resumed her sewing. Presently she said,
cheerily:
FLORENCE, you must take your walk as
usual this evening. You must not think Of
this affair too much, or when John comes
back he will find that you have lost oil Of
your color"
"He will never come back" answered tho
girl. ~ feel it, know it,"
She went slowly to her room. and taking a |
from drawer looked at it ten
Derby and sadly. 1t was the face OF q very
man; and as her eyes dwelt on tho
noble brow and proud mouth, sob after sob
shook her form, and she cried aloud in the
bitterness OF pain: