The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-07
FLORENCE HARRINGTON

II tell you. Flo, it is useless to argue
further; my consent l will never give, so
end this conversation and be the good, duti-
full, darling girl you have always been, by
not referring to the subject again, and in
time you will learn to forget that you ever
saw Paul Hayden. Now run off, my dear,
and you will see if your old fathers proph-
.ecy wont come true"
Dutiful Flo did not make any reply, but
showed her disa; prevail by violently slam
ming the door as she left the room.
Frederick Harrington was widower, and
Florence, a lovely blonde of 10, was his only
child, and in consequence, a spoiled child.
Her father being very rich, her every
within was gratifod, and the self-willed girl
seemed to think that her fathers refusal to
accede to any of her wishes was a thing lm-
possible Therefore she was totally unpre-
par,d for her fathers answer on telling
him of Paul Hayden's love, and adding that
it was reciprocated, and there remained
nothing more to complete her happiness
than her fathers consent to their union.
Mr.. Harrngton's remarks at the opening
of this story were the ending of Flo's pri-
Yate interview with her father, and well she
knew that, though she easily influenced him
III almost every LHiIS. NIeI IS Sdl4 ~ III
earnest his will was law.
"Why, my little Flo" Mr.. Harrington
had said, iii | knew that | would contribute
to your happiness by saying yes I'd say it
a dozen times; but this marriage would be
your ruin, as sure as my name is Frederick
Harrington. ANY one with half an eye
can see that young Hayden is nothing but a
worthless scamp. Why, he's not worth So
in the world. His good looks are all he has
and even they are rendered l0athsome by
The wicked discrimination that shows through
those cOai-black eyes OF his. Never let me
hear his name again, and woe 10 him if he
shows his face around here again. / heartily
wish you had not gone to that bali then this
sly fox would not have met you, and been
lodging your footsteps ever since"
But Notwithstanding all her fathers logic
Flo, like most girls of her age, felt that she
knew best, so, as long as her father per-
sisted in his refusal, she would take Paul's
advice, run away with him and get married
IN spite of her father, for she reasoned to
herself: l know Paul loves me, and love
him, OH so dearlyl How can papa be so
foolish as to think it is my money he wants,
aud not me? III show him after we're
married that he is mistaken, for Paul said
he'd love me even better, if he could. if |
had not cent in the world; and Paul has
~mOney-he told me so.
Thus the foolish girl reasoned with her
self and, having once made up her mind
nothing could turn her from her purpose |;
accordingly note was dispatched to her
lover, and that very night when the unsus-
pectng father was safe in the land of Nod
his dutiful little Flo left the home that had
sheltered her from her birth, left, without
even a farewell kiss, the loving. doting IA
Their, whose only pride and joy she was,
and went forth into the cold world, trusting
implicitly in handsome stranger who two
months before never knew that such per-
son as Flo Harrington existed.
MY own precious darling" murmured
her lover, as he folded her in his arms and
hurried her into the carriage in waiting, ~
trust. you will never have to regret this
step"
For answer Florence laid her head confi1-
iugly on his shoulder, and then the tears
burst forth and she wept long and pitifully,
for the thought of leaving her home and
father, the only true friend she had on
earth, was teO much for the young though
proud spirit But the step was taken. Time
viii tell how bitterly she repented.
1--WE long years have passed. and again
We are at The harrington home, but what
change! When We first met him, Freder-
lex Harrington was IN the strength and
vigOr of lie, now he is lying on a bed of
sickness, while cruel, remorSeless death
stands at the door, for the last spark of the
fire OF Life is glowing. To the aged physi-
elan, the only person the sick man would
allow ~ the room, one who had known the
family for years, the sufferer directed his
cunyerS ton.
"Nc. Clinton" said he, II will not keep
quiet | must talk. For five years l have
never spoken Of my once loved Florence. |
cannot die without telling YOU this: If ever
size comes back, l want you to give her in
my name this, my last message ana bless
lag-ha. blessing perhaps she did not eX-
pect. Tel her she never was and never will
br forgiven, and while love and respect for
her dead mother, whose image she was,
keeps me from cuTslng her, not cent of my
money must she get though she were on the
verge Of starvation, ami to her villain hus-
band bequeath my dying curse-may he
never know a day of peace on earth, may he
never have day Of happiness. know that
she is wrctched AMI unhappy, though
never heard Of her since she SO cruelty left
me. l warned her against the step she was
about to take; now as she has SOwn, so let
her reap. She is no more a child of mine
than Is the yiest stranger. Once l loved
her to distraction, but now that love has
turned to hate 50 bitter"
''0h, Fred" said the doctor interrupting.
90 YES, l hate her; to her | owe all the
misery have every known on this earth, to
her and to that demon in human guise who
stole her away from me-"
"FIed," continued the doctor, do stop ;
you are exhausted and scarcely able to
speak. Il shocks me to hear you utter such
sentiments, from you, who have been all your
Lille so good Christian. Are you not afraid
TO go before your Maker with such thoughts
III JOut uliuN. Ndu SOu lIOpC W OC lUlR given
when you refuse forgiveness to your own
flesh and blood? Can you refuse to forgive
her this her first. though l will admit, great
fauliP
NO" answered Frederick, in a tone
scarce above whisper, but in an unmistak-
ably determined manner, Il do not hope for
forgiveness, for during the past five years
have sworn never to forgive her, and Come
what may, II keep my word"
Fired. said the doctor in an imploring
tone, FOR all that you have ever loved, for
all that you have ever cherished, for her
whose memory has ever been dear to YOU.
recall your determination and forgive Flor.
ence-fnollsh, erring Florence, and God will
receive you for the Christian act-tale for
your model him who forgaye all, even his
executioners."
''No, Clinton, it is too late, too late; this
is not the first time you have asked me to do
this, aud have always refused you. Forgive
ue, MY true friend, my only friend, for any
wrong may have done you, and If such a
miserable sinner as Fred Harrington dare
invoke God's blessing on another, then may
ss-you-farewell," and with these
words the tired sufferer sank back on his
pillow aGd the spirit of the rebellious Fred
erick Harrington went before the Ruler on
high.
The place Is one Of the most squalid streets
OF the town of L. Entering a wretched
and dilapidated dwelling we find ourselves
at another deathoed. Everything around
shows 4 lack of cleanliness and a want of
comfort. No cheerful fire burns in the
dirty stove; on the floor two children roll
about and tumble regardless Of the misery
around. glance at them shows that
though dirty and neglected, they are hand
some, the boy, perfect brunette, forming
contrast to his little sister, with her large
violet eyes and aaxen hair. On bed in a
corner is the emaciated form of young wo-
man. Her long golden hair hangs loosely
around her head, forming as it we're a halo
Of light in the midst of surrounding dark
ness. The dark blue eyes have wild un-
natural look, while the pale face, once
angelic in its beauty, has scarcely trace of
its former loneliness, but looks as if the
owner had not been a stranger to SORROW or
trouble.
p noise, as of some one ascending the
stairs. is heard, and the two children, cry
Ing Here's papaW rush to the door, which
Is instantly opened, and papa !" enters.
The newcomer is young man, and looks
as IL he spent all his time in that abode of
foolish human beings who have not the
r0UFapa n rpSist tho tamnfatiOn IF tho It'll