The morning call., 1891-11-08


must think it strange left so long alone.
Gently she urged him to the door, and
when she had closed it upon him she tot
tered back to the couch and dropped upon
it weeping. She had read, more by the
Squire's manner than his words, that Janet
Smithson had proved her statement. 1t
was bitter the thought of giving up her po-
sition-of leaving the dear old Hall-her
home from childhood; but it was the bitter
est the giving up Robert; yet she knew it
must be.
mo wonder smelt the violets this even
portend worse than this%'
Meanwhile the Squire had carried the sad
news which on the-this festive season OF
all times-had descended upon the hall. TO
Captain Darrell.
sit isn't true; it can't bev' CALCULATED the
young sailor, Indignantly, Il will never be-
lieve it. My Florie, so pretty. so graceful.
the child of such parents? Impossible. It's
all trumped up tale. Put the miserable
old woman in the stocks. Threaten her
with the Jail, Squire, and you see she'll
confess it"
MY dear boy, it's no good to regard it in
that light" said the Squire, 1.-THE woman
has proofs; ones | fear we cannOt-tnough
we may try to-gainsay. Jem Smithson
was bad fellow; why should his sister be
better?"
Your son thought her 50, squire, or he
Florie," remarked the young sailor.
Yes, and in his kindness of heart took
pity on her in her widowhOud.'
But look here, Squire, this Susan Yelling
died over six months ago. Why hasn't this
wretched old hag come to you sooner with
her taleY exclaimed Captain Darrell, halt
ing in his pacing the room. LET her ex-
plain that"
''She does, Robert. Her heart has chung as
firmly to her supposed grandchild as ours to
Florie. 1t has been difficult for her to give
her up. and she looks gentle, handsome
girl. but her oath was given to her daugh-
ter Besides, she heard of your and Florle'
approaching marriage, and felt she must
speak before then
Why?" demanded the young sailor,
almost fiercely.
The reason is evident, Robert; our poor
Florie being of such low parentage-
Do you think for moment, Squire, that
will make any difference with me|' cried
Captain Darrell, his handsome. honest face
flushing with Indignation Il love my dar
ling for herself. not for her parentage."
am sure of that, Robert. but there is
Sir Morton to be considered"
My father will hear reason"
Then there is Flarie, herself. Robart,
she will never bring disgrace upon you"
Do you mean-do you intend" ejacu-
lated Captain Darrell, his cheek losing
color. that FlOrie-"
Yes, see YOU understand, my dear boy.
She says all must be ended between you if
Janet SmithsOn's story be true
by heaven, mo-" said the sailor yehe-
mently. "Florie, too, shall hear reason.
Tell her, Squire, but no. III tell her myself.
If she loves me, she can't do this. She. my
darling, would never break my heart-and-
and-Ihis way she would"
HIS voice failed lie quickly averted his
face to conceal his emotion, but by the
quIyeT of his frame, the Squire saw how
poignant was his suffering.
My poor. dear boy, bear it bravely,
said the cid man. placing his hand kindly
on the sailors shoulder. That is Florie' 5
request"
when may l see her?" asked the cap
tain. huSkliy.
Not Tonight l do not think she will
leave her room. But tO-mOrrOw-to-mur-
row, "and the Squire sighed, as he looked at
the testal decorations Florie had helped to
arrange with SO light and happy heart.
what a Christmas for all of lis -
And when the bells clashed out at mid
night, proclaiming the holy day, no three
ssdder hearts listened to them than those in
Graybeech hall.
That week. which lad been intended to be
so gay, was devoted TO testing Janet Smith
sons proofs, which were unfortunately sus-
tanned. The squire. even Captain Darrell.
was convinced FlUrie had indeed played the
part OF an usurper, unjustly holding Marg,
ret MaythOrpe's place.
at Shall make no difference" said the
Squire. The hail shall be your home"
No" answered the girl. with quiet re-
solve, " it would not do. could not bear
it. Besides, were | TO remain you would
never give that affection TO your real grand
daughter which is her right Margaret has
been the most cruelty wronsed. Remember
she is your sons daughter not !. Indeed
indeed | must go"
Indeed you shall not" reIoned the old
Squire. TeSolutely
Flores severest trial was parting with
Captain Darrell No reasoning nor argu-
ments she could use were able to move him.
Florit,' he rejoined. and never had af
lection looked more strongly out of hi:
eyes, cit was you loved. not your position
DO you imagine your being this woman:
granuchild makes any difference in yOul
sweetnesS-in those charms that won my
heart? No, love you now, darling, as wei
nay, better, for pity is blended with it. Oh
all women | have loved you alone and heal
me, Florle. never win ! call other than you
wife"
"And your father, Roberto You know h,
has Withdrawn MS consent" she said mourn
fully.
Yes" rejoined the captain, ploomily
"Of course he does not look on matters as
do. But my love, my darling, shall over
come his opposition; for though you REFUSE
me now I'll walt years, until my devotion
shall win YOU. But, Florie, you'll not refuse
me; you will not be the cause of such mis-
cry? l could not bear IL. dear, | could not
The sight Of his face, so precious to her
dent supplicatiOn-seyere tested her re
solve. She dreaded her own strength.
Robert, dear Robert" she IN urmured
''let us both be patient. Let us trust t
time. | promise this-neyer will l wee
other than you"
In T.
concession 70 the young sailor He eaugh
her TO MS breast in passion of gratitude
and Florle rested there. unable to den,
herself this one little joy in her grief, 70
she knew it was the last time-that this wa
their parting forever.
Then she drew herself away, gave on,
fond, lingering gaze at the handsome fac
she was, she told her self, never TO ses
again, murmuIed some words, she hardly
knew what, and leaving him fastened t,
the house, for they had been talking in the
grounds.
The next morning Florie's room was founC
vacant, She had fled away in secret, leav
ing no clew to her future dwelling.
81 thought il best. kindest," she wrote il
the letters she left for the Squire AMI Cap
tain Darrell. "When time, the gent
healer, has accustomed US to the Inevitable
we may meet again. II | be in need or il
be sure | will let you know"
She is Drawer than us all" remarked tn
Squire, brushing the tears from his eyes
y Outh can bear separation better than age.
He little knew the poignant agony poo
Florie had suffered, as, stealing away acros
the snow, through the chill, gray, unsym
pathetic, wintry morning. she looked bacl
at the dear old hall she was leaving, to b
her nome no more.
All, sweat Christmas bells, when you RIM
so jubilantly forth. would there were no sal
hearts among your listenersl
CHAPTER Ill
THE CONFESSION.
81 certainly may consider myself for
tunate."
The speaker was Florie, who sat at
small table drawn near the window whic!
commanded an exquisite view of the vale
and woods, changing into the vivid autumn
nal tlnts of reds, browns and yellows be
meath the breath of September
Two years almost have elapsed since he
flight from the hall, and though her expires
sion is that of calm content, tie girl's chez
| has lost its freshness, her eyes their merr,
| light-hearted sparkle. During those tw
| years she has, by means that defied he
letters being traced, written TO the SOUR
even cheerful epistles, bidding him nc
| worry about her, as she was happier tina
she could have hoped.