The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1893-03-23

more service to the immeasurabie ono
you have already donc me-" says she,
softly, "you will help me to get my poor
child back to the house,"
"But," begins Hardinge. II seems
wrong to him, even at this supreme mo.
ment, to deceive the old lady--to 60 into
the house under false pretenses. II sho
knew his name.
A little pressure from the hand OF
Letitia decides him. How can he bavs
scruples when she is so ill--so fright.
enedi
Sileutly he passes his arm around her,
and with her aunt takes her back to the
house. They lay her on sofa. Miss
cambridge filings a rug over her burnt
dress.
"5hc must rest here alittle before go.
lug upstairs" says she.
"sIiss Baubridge," says the young
man, now turning with determination
towards her, "T--I wish to say
"Sir, IL is what have TO say" says
Miss Banbrldgc. with emotion. 81 have
not half thanked you. How can II II
there is anything can do--any way IN
which car show my gratitude to you
pray, name IT, In the mean time, pray
tell me the name OF the brave man who
has delivered ny niece from the very
jaws oi death"
"Hardinge," says he, shortly.
"What!" MISS Banbridge has fallen
back in her chair, staring at him with
wild eyes.
"Yes, Iiardinge," says the young man
steadily, il sorrowfuly. lie pauses.
"Atter all" says he, "I cant help my
name"
There is pause; Letits draws her
breath sharply. "l'hat is true" says
Miss Banbriddc, at last. in severe uu.
dcrtone.
al can't help having had n grand.
father, either" says lIardinge, taking
another step.
mo; suppose no., " most reluctantly.
"Most fellows have grandfathers"
al cannot contradict you, sir"
"Nliss Banbridge." says Hardinge,
going closer to her, aud gazing at her
with all his heart in his eyes, "you asked
me just now il 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 pang. But-but
you have given me the opportunity to
tell you that | wGnt--her! | love her.
She loves me. Give her to me-
"Letitia.' says Miss Baubrdge in II
strange voice.
"Oh, yes! II is true" says Letitia.
bursting into tears. ~ do love him.
loved him that night at the Mainwarngs
and have loved him better aud bet
ter every day since" Here her sobs in-
creasing, "he used to come to see me in
the meadows, whcrc-whcre was nearly
burned"
Whether this allusion TO the late catas.
trophe, that might have ended in
tragedy, stills Miss Baubridge'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 uukindly air.
~ mrst have time TO think" says she.
tutu ms ~
very painful to me, Mr.-Hardinge." 1t
seems certainly painful TO. her to pso-
nouuce his name-the name so long
taoooed IN ner household. ~ must have
time-time." She grows silent. The
hearts ol the lovers sink. Suddenly she
looks up again.
Perhaps you will do me the honor to
dina uifh ma p,nr,nv ul,,htGp al ya
she. Her tone is icy, but the two listen.
ing to her feel their cause is won. TO
ask Mr.. Hardiuge to dine TO accept
hospitality at her hands! Oh, surely the
old feud is at an end.
4 little sound escapes from Letitia.
"Iou are cold, says Miss Banbridgo
anxiously, who had thought the sound
shiver.
"A little," says Letitia, who, indeed,
is shIvering from her late fear OF what
her aunt might say.
"l shall fetch another rug" cried the
old lady, running out OF the room.
"Au opportunity once lost is never TO
he regained," Gays the ancient copy
books. Hardinge aud Letitia make mp
their minds not TO lose theirs. His arms
are round her in an instant, her cheeS Is
pressed against his.
alt is all right. She will give in. l
feel as If loved her," says Hardinge.
"Oh! Jack, says LetItia; wasn't it
good thing | was nearly burned to
deathi"
"oh! hush, darling-hush. Lefty! l
can't bear to think OF this day"
"Well, ! cam says she, laughing
feebly. III shall think of 1t always. IL
has given US to each other forever. -
Philadelphia Times.