The Delta independent., 1897-11-19

ness blended with loves bOldne6a. how
the blrshes dyed her smooth cheek.
while her eyes shone with a confident,
happy light.
Then At lunch this noon fnther
asked me IL IL liked you ms much as
ever. Liked was not the word he
used. hut never mind, we'll use II now" "
'.And what did you answer? ?'' ! asked,
eagerly and expcctantiy.
THAT not u day went by that did
not think of you. And oh. Nelson" !" she
continued, her voice deep and full in its
earnestness. that was not half the
truth. Why should hesitate to con-
tess it to you, my dear friendT'
Here I made use Of my dixengaeed
arm. I could not help it. drew her
closely to me and kissed her blooming
cheek.
81 certainly shall not go on IL am In
terrupted." Florence said, In gentle re-
monstrnnce.
swer?" finally asked.
'He said he thought perhaps Il was
unjust to both of us to insist ON your
keeping the promise"
"Did he say that ?" exclaimed. Then
Florence-"b but really 1t is enough osay
that the dear girl promised to be my
wife. even though the suspicion should
not be removed from me. providing Mr..
Morley's consent could he gained; and
she moreover promised to do all she
could to help me gnin his consent.
When we arrived at the cross roads,
Florence insisted on riding her horse
the rest OF the way to her home.
A thought occurred to me after had
assisted her TO rcmount. laid my hand
on the bride to restrain her going.
"Do you mind IL ask you . ques-
tion?' inquired.
"Assnredly not"
Then tell me. do you zee much Of
Horace Jackson7 Has he asked you to
marry him."
"Yes. he has asked me TO marry him.
she replied. dropping her head. I'm
deed. there il . compact between VI
about it."
"Oh!"
Eyes. Now. please do not be foolish
and feel badly over II. But have prom
ised Mr.. Jackson that will marry him
II the robbery can be traced 10 you. and
the stolen property. or . portion Of II.
be found in your possession"
Good heavens! Why did you give
him that promise?'
SWELL, he bothered me 20. lately. TINT
I gave him the promise TO get rid OF
him. Ills part OF the compact is not to
mention the subject again until you are
shown to bc the robber. 10 you see how
absolutely safe I am In this"
"Does Jackson believe am guiltyT'
I asked.
"No, he does not. In his inmost heart
he does not. And he used to affirm his
belief in your Innocence until" She
hesitated here. and seemed reluctant to
proceed. l wnited in anxiety. aud she
finally went ou-"until lately he, for
some reason. has changed his opinion.
Al least 20 he says. And II made me
angry when he told me that be had.
Then Il was gave him the promise."
'mow long IL Il since you disc0vaPed
that he had changed7"
'Abont six weeks ago. ] have n01
seen him since. lie and his father hsd
. terrible quarrel that day, and he hes
not been here since then"
"What reason did he give for now b.
lieving 1 was the guilty party?"
asked.
'Oh. he mumbled something about
discoveries recently made which would
throw new light on the case"
Florence gazed earnestly into my
face. and she must have noticed the
troubled expression upon II. For she
leaned toward me and with great earn
estness exclaimed: "Nelson, oh, tell
me. you had nothing to do with it, did
you?"
"Florence!"
Forgive me; know You are hon.
est and true" She laid her hand upon
mine. II will not wrong you by the
least doubt. But Jackson seemed 70
confident. There 10 no way by which
. seeming proof of the robbery could
be shown against you, Is there?"
"Good heavens. how could there be 2,
exclaimed. "Oh. I see it all" went
on bitterly. jackson has become
wealthy, and il trying to ingratinte
himself with your father and under.
mine my reputation with you and 20
finally gain your hand"
Florence listened to my incoherent
outburst with an amused smile.
"Do you like jackson at all? Is he
agreeable to your" asked. in jealousy.
The smile died from her face and her.
eyes flashed with an angry fire.
Like him? No, indeed; detest the
man. hate him." This outburst made
me happy. and laughed merrily.
ut IL not kind Of you to compel me 10
show temper" she said. But remem-
ber, sir. you provoked me TO II. II is not
only for myself alone that dislike him,
but IL seems TO me that he IL the Gauss
Of the change that has come over my
father lately. Ever since that quarrel
father has been no difRerent.s