The Press., 1893-08-03
filings a rug over her burned

Cambridge filings rug over her burned dress.
 '.She must rest here little before go ing up stairs" says she. e
 ..Miss Cambridge, says the young man, now turning with determination toward her, IT wish to say"-
 ssSir, it is what I have to say" says Miss Cambridge with emotion. Il have not half thanked you. How can II IT 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.
 "Whaty' Miss Cambridge has fallen back in her chair, staring at him with wild eyes.
 s.Yes, Hardinge," !" says the young man steadily, if sorrowfully. He pauses. Aft CT all, ," says he, ''I can't help my name" There is pause; Letitia draws her breath sharply. ''That is true!" says Miss Cambridge at last in 8 severe under tone.
 II can't help having had grandfa- ther, either" says Hardinge, taking an- 1 other step.
 'tNo, suppose not, most reluctantly. l Most fellows have grandfathers? I "I cannot contradict you, sir.a
 s.Miss Cambridge" says Hardinges go- 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 8 pang. But-but you
 have given me the opportunity to tell + you that want-her! I love her. She
 loves me. Give her to me-" tt--ys ! 1 "Letitiap' says Miss Cambridge in
 strange voice. >=
 "Oh, yes! It is true, says Letitia, burst
 inp into tears. II do love him. loved
 him that night at the Mainwarings, and
 have loved him better and better every I day since. He"-her sobs increasing
 Che used to come and see lnein the mead ows where-where was nearly burned. I Whether this allusion to the late catas II trophe that might have ended in trag
 edy stills Miss Banbridge's wrath, o1
 whether her old heart has been softened
 by Hardinge's plain acknowledgment so1 } his love for her niece no one can tell. Sht turns to Hardinge with pale face, but not wholly unkindly air.
 "I must have time to think" says she : She hesitates and then says, "This i very painful to me, Mr.-Hardinge. : It seems certainly painful to her tt
 pronounce his name-the name so lonl 3 tabooed in her household. II must hay 3 time-time. She grows silent. Tn ) hearts of the lovers sink. Suddenly sh r looks up again. g Perhaps you will do me the honor t g dine with me tomorrow nighty' say g she. Her tone is icy, but the two listen !, ing to her feel their cause is won. T t ask MT. Hardinge to dine, to accept hos - pitality at her hands! Oh. surely tn 8 old feud is at an end! s A little sound escapes from Letitia. "You are cold" says Miss Banbrids k anxiously. who had thought the sound g shiyer. l. "A little," says Letitia, who indeed
 shiyering from her late fear of what he j. aunt might say. B. "I shall fetch another rug" cried th ,t old lady, running out of the room. 7. "An opportunity once lost is never g eregained," says the ancient copybook g Hardinge and Letitia make up the le minds not to lose theirs. His arms al r. round her in an instant: her cheek
 
 se pressed against his. x lg 'sIt is all right. She will give in. E. feel as if loved her," says Hardinge. : nt "Oh, Jack" says Letitia, wasn't it hi good thing was nearly burned todeath nt ''Oh, hush, darling! Hush, Lettyt lg can't bear to think of this day." st "Well, can, says she, laughing fe Il, ply. ''I shall think of it always. It D he given us to each other forever. "-Tl - Duchess in Philadelphia Times. s'f