The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-03-22
SOMERSET, PA, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22 1893

can he have scruples when she Is so i'll
50 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 Aings a rug over her burnt
dress.
tShe must rest here little before going
up stair" says she.
Miss Banbridge," says the young
man, nov turning with determination
toward her. I'll wish TO say"
'sir, it is what I have to say" says
Miss Banbridge with emotion. Il have
not half thanked you. How can L? If
there is anything can do-any way in
which can show my gratitude 10 you
pray, name it. In the meantime tell me
the name Of the brave young man who
has delivered my niece from the very
jaws Of death"
@Hardinge," says he, shortly.
"What ~ Miss Banbridge has fallen
back in her chair, staring ct him with
wild eyes.
'1es, Hardinge," says the young man,
steadily, if sOrroEfGlly. he pauses.
@Afler all" says he, Il can't help my
name"
There Is a pause; Letitia draws her
breath sharply. That is truel" says
Miss cambridge at last, in severe TN
dertone.
81 can't help having had q grandfath-
er, either says Hardinge taking another
step.
'No; I suppose not most reluctantly.
"Most fellows have grsndfathers :"
Il cannot contradict you, sir"
Miss Bsnbridge," says Hardinge, go
ing closer to her, and gazing at her with
all his heart in his eyes, %you ask ne
Just nov If there was any way in which
you could show your gratitude to ne
about-about this thing. l want no graf
itude. l would have gladly died te save
your niece a pang. But-you have given
me the opportunity to tell you that
want-herl l love her. She loves NE.
Give her to me-"
@Letitia. - says Miss Bsnbridge, in a
strange voice.
'0h, yes It is true" says Lstitia,
bursting in;o tears. Il do love him.
loved him that night at the MainSar-
ings-and l have loved him better and
better every day since. He" her sObs
increasing, "he used to come and see me
in the meadows where-where l was
nearly burned :"
Whether this allusion TO the late ca
tastrophe, that might have ended in a
tragedy, stills Miss Banbridge's wrath, OF
whether her old heart had been softened
by Hardinge's frank acknowledgement
Of his love for her niece, no one can tell
She turns to Hariinge with pale face
bit not wholely unkindly air
Il must have time 70 think says she.
She he5itates aud then says This is
very painful TO me, Mr.-Hardinge II
seemed certainly painful to her to pro-
nounce his name-the name 50 long
tsbooed 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 % says she. Her
tone IS icy, but the two lovers feel their
cause is won. To ask Mr.. Hardinge to
dine. On, surely the old fsud is at an
end.
A little sound escapes from Letitia.
"You are cold,9 says Miss cambridge
anxiOusly, who had thought the sound =
shiyer.
a little" says Letitia, who, indeed, Is
saiysring from her late fear Of what her
aunt might say.
4 shall fetch another rug" cried the
old lady, running out Of the room.
AN opportunity once lost Is never to
be regained," says the ancient copy
books. Hardinge and Le;itia make up
their minds not 10 lose theirs. His arms
are around her in al instant, her cheek
pressed against his
at IS all right She viii give in I feel
as If loved her" says JACK.
"Oh, Jack, says Letitis, ~wasn'ta good
thing was nearly burned TO death 90
~Oh hush, darling-hush, Lefty.
can't bear to think Of this day"
4 can" says she, laughing feebly. Il
shall think Of il always. It has given Us
to each other fore eser." - Philadelphia
IiHfs.