The Forrest City times., 1891-07-24
THE HAUNTED CHAMBER,
DY 'srHn DUCHESS" !"
AwtAov sf "Nonica," "Meas Sevllv, "
 "Phyljs" ac., etc.
CHAPTER xI..-CONTINUEp.

with considerable excitement "There IS, surely a terrible mistake some where"
 Do you mean to tell me" says Flor ence, rising in her agitation, that you never spoke of love to Dora"
 Certainly I spoke of love-of my love for you" he declares vehemently. thing for Mrs. Talbot but the most or dinary friendship seems incredible to me. To you, and you alone, my heart has been given many day. Not the vaguest tenderness for any other wo- man has come between my thoughts and your image since first we met"
 Yet there was your love-letter to her-l read it with my own eyesl" de- clares Florence faintly.
 Il never wrote Mrs. Talbot line in my life" says Sir Adrian, more and more puzzled.
 You will tell me next I did not see you kissing her hand in the lime-walk last Septembery" pursues Florence, flushing hotly with shame and indigna- tion.
 You did not" he declares vehement l ly. Il swear it. Of what else are you 1 going to accuse me? 1 never wrote to her, and l never kissed her hand"
 It IS better for us not to discuss this matter any longer" saysMiss Delmaine, rising from her seat. And for the l future l can not-will not-read to you here in the morning. Let us make an end of this false friendship now at once and forever'
 She moves toward the door as sine | speaks, but he, closely following, over | takes her, and, putting his back against the door, so bars her egress. | He has been forbidden exertion of any kind, and now this unusual excite ment has brought color to his wan | cheeks and a brilliancy to his eyes. Both these changes in his appearance 1 however only serve to betray the actu- al weakness to which, ever since his i cruel imprisonment, he has been vic | tim.
 Miss Delmaine's heart smites her. | She would have reasoned with him, and entreated him to go back again to | his lounge, but he interrupts her. Florence do not leave me like this" he pleads in an impassioned tone. | You are laboring under delusion. Awake from this dream implore you, and see things as they really are"
 T am awake, and do see things as they are" she replies sadly.
 My darling, who can have poisoned your mind against me?" she says, in deep agitation.
 At this moment, as if in answer to his question the door leading into the conservatory at the other Side of the room Is pushed open, and Dora Talbot enters.
 "Ah here is Mrs. Talbot exclams Sir Adrian eagerly; she will exonerate mel"
 He speaks with such full assurance of being able to bring Dora forward as witness in his defense that Florence. for the first time, feels strong doubt thrown upon the belief she has formed of his being monster of fiekleness.
 What IS it l can do for you?' asks Dora, in some confusion. Of late she has grown very shy of being alone with either him or Florence.
 ou will tell Miss Delmaine,' replies Adrian quickly, that l never wrote you letter, and that certainly did not-you will forgive my even mention ing this extraordinary supposition, I hope, Mrs. Talbot-kiss your hand one day in September i'll the lime walk"
 Dora turns first hot and then cold, first crimson and then deadly pale. So It IS all out now, and she is on her trial. She feels like the veriest crimi- nal brought to the bar of justice. Shall she promptly deny everything, or-No. She has had enough of deceit and in- trigue. Whatever it costs her. she will now be brave and true, and confess all.
 "l do tell her so," she says, in low tone, but yet firmly. "I never received letter from you, and you never kissed my hand"
 "Dora!' cries Florence. What are you .sayingl Have you forgotten all that is past?"
 Spare mel" entreats Dora hoarsely. In an hour, if you will come to my room, l will explain all, and you can then spurn me, and put me outside the pale of your friendship if you will. and as l well deserve. But, for the pres ent, accept my assurance that no love passages ever occurred between me and Sir Adrian, and that l am fully per suaded his heart has been given to you alone ever since your first meeting"
 Florence, You believe herr" ques- tlons Sir Adrian beseechingly. 1t is all true what she has said. l love you devotedly. If you will not marry me, no other woman shall ever be my wife My beloved take pity on me-"
 Trust Tn him, give yourself freely to hlm without fear" urges Dora. with a sob. He is altogether worthy of you" So saying, she escapes from the room, and goes up the stairs to her own apartment weeping bitterly.
 "ls there any hope for me?' asks Sir Adrian of Florence when they are again alone. Darling. answer me, do you-can you love me-"
 T have loved you always-always," replies Florence in n broken voice. But l thought-I feared-oh, how much 1 have Suffprpli"
 Never mind that now" rejoins Sir Adrian very tendery. He has placed ms arm round her, and her head is resting in happy contentment upon his breast. For the future. my dearest, you sf.ll know neither fear nor suffer ing if can prevent it."
 
 They are still murmuring tender words of love to each other. though good half hour has gone by. when a noise as Of coming footsteps in the con. servatory attracts their attention. and presently Captain Ringwood. with fffs arm round Ethel Villiers's s waist, comes slowly into view.
 Totally unaware that any one is in the room besides themselves, they ad- vance. until, happening to lift their eyes, they suddenly become aware that thelr host and Miss Delmaine are re- gardlng them with mingled glances of surprlse and amusement. Instantly they start asunder.
 It is--that is-you see-- Ethel, you explain stammers Captain kingwood confusedly.
 At this both Sir Adrian and Florence burst out laughing so merrily and so heartily that all constraint comes to an end and, finally Ethel and Ring