The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-07-05

"Sir, it is what have to say" says
Miss cambridge with emotion. Il have
not half thanked you. How can L? If
there is anything can do-any way in
which l can show my gratitude to you
pray name it. In the meantime pray
tell me the name of the brave man who
has delivered my niece from the very
jaws of death ?"
"Hardinge," says be shortly.
what" Miss cambridge has fallen
back in her chair, staring at him with
wild eyes.
ayes, Hsrdinge," says the young man
steadily, ifsonowfully. He pauses. "Af-
ter all" says he, Il cam. help my name"
There is a pause Letitia draws her
breath sharply. THAT is true| says
Miss Banbridge at last in a severe under
tone.
Ican't help having had a grandfather,
either says Hsrdinge. taking another
step.
NO, suppose not" most reluctantly.
"Most fellows have grandfathersl"
81 cannot contradict you, sir"
"Aliss Banbridge," says Hardinge, 60
ing closer to her and gazing at her with
all his heart in his eyes, you asked me
Just now if there was any way in which
you could show your gratitude to me
about-about this thing. want no
gratitude. would have gladly died to
save your niece q paug. But-but you
have given me the opportunity TO tell
you that l want-her l love her. She
loves me. Give her to me-"
"Letitiaw says Miss cambridge in
strange voice.
@Oh, yes 1t is true, says Letitia, burst
ing into tears. Il do love him. l loved
him that night at the NainwariDgs, and
have loved han better and better every
day since. IIe"- her sobs increasing
"he used 10 come and see me in the
meadows where-where I was nearly
burned"
Whether this allusion to the late ca,as-
trophe that might have ended in a trag-
edy stills Miss Banbridge's wrath, or
whether her old heart has been softened
by Hardinge's plain acknowledgement Of
his love for her niece no one can tell.
She turns to Hardinge with pale face,
but not wholly unkindly air.
Il must have time to think," says she.
She hesitates and then says, eThis is
very painful 70 me, Mr-HardiBge." Il
seems certainly painful to her to pro-
nounce ais name-the name so long
tabooed in her household. Il must have
time-time.7 She grows silent. The
hearts Of the lovers sank. Suddenly she
looks up again.
Perhaps you viii do me the honor 10
dine with me tomorrow night?" says
she. Her tone is icy, bat the two listen
ing to her feel their cause is won. To
ask Mr. Hardinge to dine, to accept hos
pitality at her hands. On, surely the
old ieud is at an end
\ little sound escapes from Letitia.
"You are Old" says Miss cambridge
anxiously, who had thought the sound
shiyer.
a little, p says Letitia, who indeed is
shiyering from her late fear Of wha. her
aunt might say.
Il shall fetch another rug" cried the
old lady, running out Of the room.
IAN opportunity once lost is never TO
be regained," says heaneient eopyboOks.
Hardinge and Letitia make up their
minds not 10 lose theirs. His arms are
round her in an instant her cheek IS
pressed against his.
"It is all right. She viii give in.
feel as if loved her" says Hardinge.
"Oh, Jack p says Letitia, wasn't il q
good thing was nearly burned to death?'
"Oh, hush darlingl Hush, Lefty l
can't bear TO think of this day"
'.Well, l can" says she, laughing fee
bly,. 81 shall think oft always. 1t has
given US to each other forever. Tile
D,iehess IN Plaadslyliq Times.