Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-12-09

this wretched conversation" Miss Worth
ington interposed.
"Thank YOU! No; your visit over, you
would certainly forget the, while should
perhaps be hoping that you might think OF
me. IL Is better as it Is; suspense Is the
most intolerable pain that we mortals have
to bear. You will do what wish, Flor
ence, by saying nothing for the present to
arouse my..mother's suspicious; 1t will be
less embarrassing for you, and will save
those | hold dear all pain too" lie took
out his watch. "lIafpast five" he said.
my father will soon be home, and must
say goodbye. | shall have TO be at busi-
ness all this evening, and will just run
down stairs TO my mother first. Let
us shake hands for what may be the last
time, Florence
lie took her hand -carelessly and coldiy
for moment. She claspcd his eagerly, but
could feel no answering pressure.
"Iou have my most earnest wishes,
Florence" he said, "that the future NAV
bring you all the happiness you expect to
find ia it,
In another moment he was gone ami Miss
Worthington was left alone, with every
nerve in her frame throbbing. For sec
ond IL was in her mind 10 recall him, 10
confess her love, to subdue her pride; the
last however was too deeply planted in her
nature. She might bear her pain, she
thought, though she could hardly realize
it yet; but she could not east away her
birth-right OF high caste. With her beauty
and nigh breeding, she could not wed
tradesman.
The winter twilight looked very dreary
and cherries to Florence as she glanced
4
peared hopeless and dismal; but she had
decided. A certain limit was put to her
stay in the home which had been so pleas
ant TO her. The sooner the interval was
over now the better. She began TO long
for the weeks 10 pass. She looked round
the pretty room Ia which she was stand
ing, aud her eyes could not rest upon
spot which did not remind her OF her cous-
In Philip.
elbow can l bear it," she thought; but
she had chosen, aud could not now go
back.
As she mused the door below was shut
gently, and her listening ears could catch
the sounds of hurrying footsteps on the
gravel, aud tie click OF the garden gate
she knew that all hope was now shut out
from her. With aching brain and heart,
she wondered whether she should see Phil
Up again.
Her pride might be very dear TO her, but
might not steadiast happy love, shorn Of
all position, all useless splendor, be far
sweeter. Who could tell; she thought; the
tears ran quickly down her face, and drop
ped upon her caspcd hands.
..Where is Philip" "Where are they
all!" Maud and Ethel Darlington asked,
their fresh voices bringing with them u
breath of frosty winter air.
Florence had been too absorbed in her
own thoughts TO escape unseen To her room,
and Ethel soon discoyer her crouched in
q low chair in dark corner.
sWhy, Florence, you are alone, and in
the dark. How dull you must be! Is
mamma still in the store-room below, Has
not Philip been home YETI" Ethel said, all
in breath.
.sAnd he told us he should be home
early to-day" Maud added; and Florence
felt her eyes fixed meaningly upon her.
self.
She tried to answer indifierently.
"Your brother has been in for . few
minutes only, aud he said he should be
late at business tonight; he went away to
tell aunt Clara himself" How thankful
WV WV aVh viz o"tA AVoAht h6htNN Vhty W
ts- &C.
..Jn, ;..... ........c.n., The Hastings are
coming in, and it will be so dull without
him. Are you sure he has gomez" Ethel
asked.
81 think SOL am not quite sure" Flor.
encc answered.
She was only too sure; but Ethel hasten
Ell below, To return, IA few minutes later,
with a much longer face.
"Oh, Maud, am yexed! Mamma tells
me that Phil says busy time has sudden
ly como upon him, and he will be very lit
tie at home for the ext fortnight. 1t Is so
tiresomel / hate the house without him;
and know he is going TO Rugby for two
or three weeks" and Ethefs bright face
clouded, betraying the real disappoint-
ment she felt.
"It may not be so bad, Ethel, Phil rare
ly stays away SO long, even when he thinks
he must However, we must make the
best of it,"
Maud's thoughts were travelling in one
direction only; she believed she saw mo-
tive for her brothers absence.
"And 1t is q shame, Florence, that you
have decided to leave us SO soon, as mamma
tell u.s." went on Ethel. ave quite be-
lieved you would always stay with us;
and now 1t seems your coming TO-. US was
only visit. Just as we have got fond Of
you, and you have become used to us,
you are going away for ever-for don't
suppose that we shall see much more Of
you."
"Oh, Ethel, don't say that! should be
grieved to think so," Florence answered.
al can never forget how kind you have
been to me. 1t has been the happiest time
Of all my lifev And Miss Worthington
suddenly burst into tears.
"Ethei, you should not be quite so
brusque, child" said Maud; and then,
turning to Miss Worthington, she asked,
"Why cannot you stay with us, Florence,
II you are really happy. You know We
wish you to do So"
swered Florence. ssBut you see aunt Ra-
ven has, or, / suppose, ought to have the
first claim; though you may be certain my
life with her win not be. so pleasant as
here. Who knows, II you will receive me
back again, but shall Gomez" Florence
added more brightly. "Lady Raven near
ly always goes to the South OF France In
the autumn will you have me back
tbeni"
II was new idea to her, and gave her
sudden thrill Of relief The girls too
frightened at the thought.
ssiou know we will have you back only
too gladly, II you are content TO come; but
doubt ~ that will be likely" said Maud.
&Whcn you have once more tasted the
pleasures Of the fashionable world,
scarcely think our quiet home will sufics
for you."
"Ars your dissipations 20 very delight
flil, FIorsncey" asked Ethel. cit always
seems 70 me - n one must get tired Of
them. am sure should"
"And you are right, Ethel" said Flor