Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-12-30
CHAPTER XVI.

CHAPTER ANl.
Miss Worthington was ndisposed In
mind and body--Lord Harcourt Vernon
not at all in body, but very much in mind
aud temper; and all OF Lady Margaret
Meddowes' smiles failed TO win an answer
ing one--all OF the Countess OF Ravens
effort, all of her delicate fattery could uot
dissipate the cloud from his lordships' brow.
His pride had been hurt, his plans disar-
ranged, while Florence did not appear with
conciliating smiles to WOO his forgiveness.
"The truth il, Lord Harcourt," Lady
Margaret said, ''my cousin has been over
worked lately. This trousseau business is
more ialiguing than one thinks, and the
great heat has exhausted her. 1t will be
everything TO her whsn you can get her In
to the country, poor girl. She is looking
quite tagged, though IL seems 10 me brides
elect always do look so.''
But Lord Hsrcourt's mind was not one
whit relieved Of an ugly suspicion which
had taken possession Of IL. Miss Worth
ington had denied herself to him, but other
visitors had been more fortunate.
"Lady Margaret, will you forgive my
asking YOU question:"
"Certainly, Lord Harcourt,, her LADY,
ship answered little curious.
"Miss Wortbington altered all nv ar.
rangements this morning. l had dismissed
my groom for two hours before | gained
admittance-which Obliged me to return
again 10 Charges Street to lind my horse at
tGe appointed time. 1 had also the pleas
ufe OF seeing gentleman enter your
house. AS Lady Raven and yourself were
both absent may ask If the admitted yis-
itor came to see Miss worthington:"
guised displeasure In his lordship's face,
aud n muttered imprecation escaped his
lips. He was amazed at her presumption,
and he turned silently away down the
stairs again.
message, my lords" Lady Ravens maid
asked.
"Not any" was the reply. And in a
few moments his lordship bad left the
house, and was sauntering in no enviabe
temper down the hot street, looking vainly
for his horse.
"she has some abominable triclr of TEN.
per aud caprice, which must be eradicat-
ed" his lordship thought.
Edwards, am expecting my cousins
this afternoon--show them into Lady Ra-
ven's room. l am not at home to any one
else, and on no account let us be disturbed"
Miss Worthington said when his lordship
had departed ---..--..-
There could be no mystery in this ar.
rangement, Edwards was sure, for she
knew of Florenee's long visit to her aunt
Darlington, and probably the plans were
pre-arranged for to-day.
Florence did not know whether her
h.. I. II
most against hope; and intolerable though
suspense might be, at any rate IL seemed
better than positive denial. "For the last
time--for the last time,' she kept saying
to herself. '.lf he comes IL will show me
he has forgiven me-" she thought; and she
thought too that then she would be hap
pier. Instinct told her he would come !;
and almost to the moment she had fixed,
she heard the visitors bella moment la
ter his quick, firm step upon the stairs. A
moment later lie was before her, alone
and she felt half sufocated with the beat.
Ing Of her heart.
lie entered self-possessed, cold, and very
pale, and she saw at a glance, was thinner
than when she had last seen him, when
she had buried her face on his breast aud
had sworn faithfulness, binding him to
keep silence till she should free his lips
For a moment she felt half-stihed; she
could only meet him with outstretched
hand--which he scarcely touched-and
wordless. lie broke the silence first.
"Well. Miss Worthington, YOU see, ~
usual, your wishes have prevailed; and
contrary to all my ideas of right, l have
come TO see YOU once more-fcr the last
time, suppose; for our paths in the fu-
ture will be widely apart. You tell me In
your note Of yesterday that you cannot be
happy unless you hear forgiveness from my
lips. III so little lies between you and hap
piness. Heaven knows would not deprive
you of IL. Fer your sake alone l have
come, aud that at least my conscience may
be clear OF ever voluntarily causing You
pain. DO not fear that have TO reproach
you--a woman's idea Of honor differs wide
ly from mans"
What could she say TO him: She knew
what she had done; aud now how Bit
terly she repented it. Her head was bent
down and her tears were dropping fast.
"The happy past must all be dead be.
tween us, Philip, know. But ] craved
so TO see you again, 10 know that you do
not utterly scorn mew she pleaded.
"Ah, Florence, a man, l fear, rarely
scorns woman he has once loved! Hon.
est;y would scorn you If could. Heav.
en- knows which man you have wronged-.
the tradesman or the peer. But one or
the other you have wronged, and are wrong.
ing, with open eyes and bitterly" His
reproaches were sweet to her, harsh-sound
ing 40 they were. s.You once refused my
love, Florence. Well, that you had per.
feet right to do, beyond doubt; but you
had no right to steal my heart, hiding from
me the while that yours was not free TO
give In return. You had less right to re.
call your refusal and bind yourself to me
with voluntary oath, forcing me to ST.
lence. You had no right, again, Florence,
10 leave my letter unanswered, to keep
me In such cruel suspense, because you
were too cowardly or careless to tell me
the truth"
"I never have had one line from you,
she declared steadily.
"Nevertheless wrote to you," he said,
incredulous In spite Of her denial; Sand
letters rarely miscarry, Florence. But IL
matters but little; hearing from me would
have made little difference. All power to
act rested with yourself alone; and you
have, suppose, consulted your own wishes
and happiness"
"Bnt never had your latter, Philip; I
have never seen your writing once" She
dared not allude to her own DIST letter; it
was puerile and meaningless IA insult him,
she knew. "And did not d0N what you
thought Philip" she said humblyA al told
you the truth about Lord Hsrco9rt ver-
non, was not engaged to him whllAt was
with YOU. He had Tilted me-" sAe said
earnestly. al really meant what e -
you AZ parting; but my pride has bseQ
bans ell my life, and they have goadeA my
beyond endurance. The position o63me
me has tempted me beyond my powehed
resistance" (" she said, with dropping hcScf
"Yes, that r. the truth, Florence, I knoll.
lit n just that. Tread you from the hrjw
though ! trusted--valnly, Il sssms--ik,
Jour better nature" How bis words a -