The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-04-28

service to the immeasurable one you have
already done me-" says she softly, "you
will help me to get my poor child back
to the house."
But" begins Hardinge. 1t seems
wrong to him, even at this supreme mo.
ment, to deceive the old lady, to go into
her house under false pretenses. If she
knew his name. A little pressure from
the hand of Letitia decides him. How
can he have scruples when she is so ill,
so frightened?
Silently he passes his arm around her,
and with her aunt takes her back to
the house. They lay her on sofa. Miss
Banbridge filings rug over her burned
dress.
"She must rest here little before go.
ing up stairs" says she.
''Miss Banbridge," says the young man,
now turning with determination toward
her, "I-I wish to say
''Sir, it is what l have to say" says
Miss Banbridge with emotion. 81 have
not half thanked you. How can 1? If
there is anything can do-any way in
which 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 he shortly.
"What" Miss cambridge has fallen
back in her chair, staring at him with
wild eyes.
eyes, Hardinge," says the young man
steadily, if sorrowfully. He pauses. "Aft-
er all, j" says he, 81 can't help my name. "
There is a pause; Letitia draws her
breath sharply. "That is true!" says
Miss Banbridge at last in severe under
tone.
81 can't help having had a grandfa-
ther, either" says Hardinge, taking an
other step.
"No, suppose not" most reluctantly
"Most fellows have grandfathers!"
81 cannot contradict you, sir"
"Miss 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. I want no
gratitude. would have gladly died to
save your niece pang. But-but you
have given me the opportunity to tell
you that want-her! l love her. She
loves me. Give her to me-"
''Letitia" says Miss cambridge in a
strange voice.
"Oh, yes! 1t is true," says Letitia, burst
ing into tears. II do love him. loved
him that mig It at the Mainwarings, and
have loved 1im better and better every
day since. He"-her sobs increasing
"he used to come and see me in the mead
ows where-where was nearly burned
Whether this allusion to the late catas-
trophe that might have ended in trag-
edy stills Miss Banbridge's wrath, or
whether her old heart has been softened
by Hardinge's plain acknowledgment of
his love for her niece no one can tell. She
turns to Hardinge with pale face, but
not wholly unkindly air.
81 must have time to think" says she
She hesitates and then says, "This is
very painful to me, Mr.-Hardinge ="
1t seems certainly painful to her IT,
pronounce his name-the name so long
tabooed in her household. II must have
time-time." She grows silent. The
hearts of the lovers sink. Suddenly she
looks up again.
perhaps you will do me the honor to
dine with me tomorrow night?" says
she. Her tone is icy, but the two listen
ing to her feel their cause is won. To
ask Mr.. Hardinge to dine, to accept hos
pitality at her handsl Oh. surely the
old feud is at an endl
A little sound escapes from Letitia.
"You are cold," says Miss cambridge
anxiously, who had thought the sound a
shiver.
"a little" says Letitia, who indeed is
shivering from her late fear of what her
aunt might say.
81 shall fetch another rug" cried the
old lady, running out of the room.
"Ap opportunity once lost is never to
eregained," says the ancient copy books.
Hardinge and Letitia make up their
minds not to lose theirs. His arms are
round her in an instant; her cheek is
pressed against his.
SIT is all right. She will give in. ]
feel as if loved her." says Hardinge.
"Oh, Jack!' says Letitia, wasn't it a
good thing was nearly burned to DEATH"
"Oh, hush, darling! Hush, Lefty! ]
can't bear to think of this day."
"Well, can," says she, laughing fee
bly,. 81 shall think of it always. 1t has
given us to each other forever. THE
Duchess in Philadelphia Times.