Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1894-01-13
CHAPTER XVIII. AND LAST.

CHAPTER Ill, AND LAST.
"AIistress and the young ladies have been
zone two days TO Eastbourne, and Mr..
Philip is abroad; but master will be home
some time tonight
So Miss Worthngton was informed, as
she stood once more, with sinking heart, in
the hall at Fulham, greeted only by y
housemaid, who seemed in no way loath to
welcome her. though the girls bright eyes
grew still rounder and brighter in won.
derment at the unannounced arrival Of the
important Miss Worthington, who rode
generally in Countess carriage, and must
be almost a Duchess at least, from all she
had CLEANED regarding Florence's move
ments.
IL suppose ! can stay, Lizzie-at least
TO see my uncle;" Florence asked, smiling
in spite OF herself.
And Lizzie, seeing mountain of boxes
being piled in the hall, wisely imagined
that the "staying" meant at least for the
night.
.Oh, yes, miss! But you cannot have
your own room tonight, because that is all
done away with. Miss Ethcls Is all ready,
Ii you would not mind.'
Florence would not have minded occu.
pying the leads themselves, SO that she
could be within the magic circle-the ha-
crayed for rts cif1 eyea s"it IS so
keen disappoint,p-so -.s...s- sneres than Few
hours absence lay between herself and
Philip. She knew now she might not see
him again for weeks; but the very flowers
In the garden had seemed to nod a welcome
to her rs she passed them, and the walls TO
smile down upon her, while the bright
IL. al
jects, rejecting the radiance back into her
own heart. The house might be deserted,
but Florence found no loneliness in il.
"Mastcr will be sure TO come, miss, to-
night" said the girl, "but perhaps not TIL
late"
When he came, she would tell him all
her tale faithfully and fearlessly, Florence
decided; and she did not dread his YER.
diet.
once more Miss Worthngton seated her.
self in her own especial chair near the win
dow. where she might dream her day
dreams for the next few hours, while Lizzie
prepared tea for her. Once more her eyes
fell upon the long garden path between
the roses, wnere she had passed down with
such an aching heart, where she had so Of
ten listened for Philips quick firm step,
aud the well remembered click OF his latch
key.
Lizzie brought the tea, placing it upon q
little table near Florence, and adding a
few words Of consolation for her loneliness.
Still Miss Worthington dreamed on, until
her dream seemed turned into reality
For a moment her hopes fell quickly, and
sharp fear came instead. She rose to fly
she knew not whither-and then she
stopped.
Philip Darlington should have been on
his journey to foreign shores when Flor.
ence's eyes saw him once more between
the rose-plants, when once more she heard
his well-known step. She wondered If her
brain deceived her. Was IL Philip or his
wrath? And then he stood before her.
She half crossed the room TO meet him.
and then stopped, afraid. She saw no
welcoming love awaiting her, only keenest
wonder.
"Florence.o
His voice expressed 10 joy. If she was
there bodily, then only fresh qualms o!
conscience must hss- brought her to tor.
ment him again, TO disturb his peace when
peace seemed near. 1t was intolerable, he
thought. He would not brook it. And
then his eyes softcncd inyoluntariy as they
rested ON her face; but his greeting was
not encouraging.
"Florence," he said, "what on earth la,
brought you back to an empty house? Il
I had only guessed you were hero"
"You would not have cYme--I under.
stand. Thank Heaven you did not know 70
she said. "Philip, hear me. / have come
back to stay for good---always--for ever
In some corner, IL you will let me-" she ad.
ded, humbly enough.
"iIas Lord IIarcourt Vernon Tilted you
again:" he asked in qnick cold tones.
lier pride was hurt.
"Philip, never thought You could be 80
ungenerousw
lie knew he had been unkind; but he
did not come nearer TO her, he gave her no
aid IN her distress. Putting down his hat,
he began his old pacing up and down the
room, but at some distance from her.
'Lord Iiarcourt has not Tilted me; but
have Tilted him, That Is the difference
this time" she told him.
"And wbyl You seem to take great de.
light In trying 10 destroy mems happiness.
IL does not seem to me pretty pastime,"
he remarked.
There was no sign Of yielding yet upon
"lf You care to hear, will tell you all
briefly" She was close to him; her hand
resting upon his arm, her face bent down
nnd crimson. "Philip, | Tilted him be-
cause ] could not live my life away from
you. Does that confession content your
While hnmbliny my pride, win 1t satisfy
your hcarts" sh. asked, her face still
turned away. 81 have tried 50 hard to do
what have been asked. have prayed for
courage To fulfil the brilliant destiny OF.
fered TO me, to crafty my old ambition ;
but could not. IL was too sickening.--
You always came between me and II. win
you trust me once more!" she said and she
looked at him Ia fear.
"Ah, Florsnco, how can have conf.
dence In you, II you knew how l TOO
have prayed and struggled t. forget you