The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-10-11
ing tour among the Berkshire hills, and

r1MpA occulcl W DIAnS ullu Sill 4icdf-
er to her, and before she knew it she had
told him all.
"Semple, did you say his name was p
ayes. Isn't it a horrid one And he's
just as horTid himself" sighed Florida.
81 don't think people ought to ever
marry again"
Evidently" said Revere, "your mother
doesn't agree with your
"He has made her all sorts of promi-
ses," said Florida, lugubriously "and
she thinks it will be such nice home
for me-"
''You won't go there to liye?o
"Neverr'
"What are you going to do, then ?'
81 don't know" said Florida. BEG
my bread from door to door, ifit is neces-
sary. But dare say can go on teach
ing"
Miss Fariie," said the young man,
you have confded in me. May ! re-
turn the mark of esteem? I've just sold
my biggest picture and got orders for two
more. Under these circumstances, though
am not rich man, l feel that can
maintaina wife. Will you let me take
care of you, Miss Farlie? VIII you
marry me?"
Florida had let the sketching-board
sip out of her lap on to the daisy-gem-
med grass This was not at all the sort
of courtship that she had depicted to her
self in her numerous day dreams. Mr..
Revere didn't 20 on his knee, or tear his
hair, or behave as if he regarded her as
stately. unapproachable goddess, and
yet
sI-don't know" she faltered, sudden
ly dropping her eyes in a giddy ac-
cession of bliss.
"Do you love me? That is the ques-
ton"
stop a milute," said Florida "let me
think"
There was a brief silence. A robin
whistled nown by the copse; yellow
belted bee kept up perpetual drone in
dropping hower-cup near by. Mr..
Revere stood quietly at her side.
"Well?" said he at the expiration of
sixty seconds by the watch.
"Yes," said Florida, still with down
east eyes; 81 think-Pm almost certain
that do"
any own darling~
He caught her in his arms.
"And | know now" sobbed Florida,
"that Pve loved you ever since the day
that first saw you"
She was late in returning to the cot
tage that afternoon, and Mrs. Farlie was
on thesteps waiting TO greet her.
"Florida," said the little widow, with
an unwonted air of decision, "Pye made
up my mind"
$50 have l." declared Florida, half in
clined to weep and half to smile.
Il shall be married next week." said
Mrs. Farlie. "Mr. semple says mustn't
endure this nerve-tension OF. your opposi-
ton any longer"
Mother" said Florida, "what should
you say if were to marry, too p
"Then he has told your twitted Mrs.
Farlie.
"Told me what? Who?"
"Why, Mr.. Semple-about his son,
who has Just returned from abroad. The
most charming young man, who would
be sure to suit you."
Florida colored vividly.
Mother" said she, "how could you let
him insult me SO? Does he think Pm to
be married to order, like the Partisan
girls? hate him more than ever now "
"He's going to bring him here this
evening to call"
"I won't see him :" said Florida, the
intolerant.
Florida" /"
Besides, mother" confessed the girl,
there's another gentleman coming here
this evening. For although you've treat
ed me SO badly" with a reproaehful
glance, Il do not mean to take the most
important step in life without your con-
sent, or, at least, your knoSledge."
"Florida, you don't mean"
"Yes, l do~ exultantly cried her
daughter, 1--WE promised him to be his
wife and so Mr.. Semple can take his
select line of young gentlemen elsewhere
and you may tell him so, from me-"
"Ehe l beg your pardon" said q
voice; and all in an instant Florida Far
lie became aware that, in her stately re-
treat from her mothers outstretched
hands, she had very nearly walked over
Mr.. Semple himself-and by Mr.. Sem
ple's side stood Alan Revere
"I'm the select line of young gentle
men, Miss Florida" said the artist, smil-
ing.
Your she gasped.
"My son, Miss Farlie," said Mr.. Sem
pie, speaking the Introductory words,
with flourish of his hand.
"You're entirely mistaken" said Flori-
da. This young gentleman is Mr.. Re-
we're, and I've met him before"
"Reyere ismy art name" confessed her
lover quietly. any actual nomenclature
is Semple. When / returned from Wen
ma was given to understand that my
father was about to contract a second
marriage, and, naturally disliking the
idea determined to adhere to the name
Of Revere and not to return to the home
stead. But now that / know the lady
he is to marry is Florida's mother,
things are quite different"
shes a tiumpp' said Mr.. Semple,
clapping his tall son triumphantly on the
back. "How is it, Miss Florida-will
you take him or leave him?'
81 don't think he ought to have de-
ceived me-" said Florida, about his
name, l mean-but, on the whole, !
think I'll take him."
@well, now, seeing that that's all set
tied" said Mr. Semple land really Flor
ida told herself, he wasn't 20 disagrees-
BILE, after all - why couldn't We make
a double wedding of it?"
"Yes, Why not ?" said Mr.. Revere, with
great promptness; and Florida couldn't,
at that short notice, find @why not"
Mother" said she. that evening, in