The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1897-11-20
CHAPTER VII.

When again passed the depot at
Sidington on my way home, there was
n lady on horseback talking to the
agent. .,.
1t needed no second glance to tellme
it was Florence Morley. Her face was
turned toward the fellow, and so she
did not see me. l drove along slowly,
keeping my eyes upon her, and debat-
ing in my mind whether should stop
and address her or not.
1t was strong temptation, and only
fear held me back, a cowardly fear too.
l doubted how my overtures might be
received. I had chosen my course of
my own accord and / would follow it.
If it was contrary to her wish she
would find way to tell me.
d. After passing the station l allowed
my horse to continue at n walk, so that.
Florence must catch up with me if she
intended to ride to her home from Sid
ington.
The resolve to stick to my promise
was growing weaker since Sarah's com
ment upon it. A word from Florence, |
knew, would cause me to break it, and
l really was impatient for that word.
Soon the sound of approaching hoofs
beating the hard road reached ME.
Nearer it came and nearer. until finally
l caught glimpse, out of the corner
of my eye, of a swaying petticoat.
She pulled in her horse to a walk,
and then turned my head and glanced
at her. My heart was in my throat
when / looked, but the smile that greet
ed me dispelled my fears like mist be-
fore the morning sun.
But the smile was not all that told
me of her emotion at again meeting me.
The deep brown eyes were suffused
with tears. With my own heart leaping
for joy, refined my horse to a stand
still. In an instant was at her side.
She extended her hand, and with my
assistance sprang lightly to the ground.
took her horses bride over my arm
and, with the disengaged hand, helped
her climb into the buggy.
"Tie the horse to the back axle, then
come here beside me-" were the first
words she said. lost no time in obey
ing.
Imagine, if you please, the over
whelming joy to be seated once more
beside her who held my whole heart in
her keeping.
I could not trust myself to speak, and
it was she who began.
Are you not pleased to see me once
more, Mr.. Conway? Because if you are
not. l certainly will not tell you how
happy am in again meeting an old
friend"
The soft, sweet tones of her voice,
which loved so to hear, had now a
tremble to them. Iglanced at her, and
well, Florence was still my true heart,
as she had been throughout, notwith-
standing my doubt and fear.
"The past year has been an eternity
to me-" finally said.
"And who is to blame for that, won
der? And, too. when was the mystery
cleared up. since you are now speaking
to me?" she said. with a joyous laugh,
which told me as plainly as words
could how she had missed me.
ut is not cleared up: sometimes l
think it never will be. could not have
found fault with you had you forgotten
me. Will you forgive me when l con-
TESS was fearful you had?"
mo. l do not think can quite for
give that. What reason had you for
mistrusting me?" she earnestly asked
You passed me this morning, you
know. without bowling"
II was so startled, and we had gone
by before I realized that it was you
who were standing there. That was
slight cause for mistrusting me, sir. !"
at was and am very sorry. Indeed,
I have been fool right through the
whole affair. I see it now. had no
right to make such promise"
"Well, I do not think you were a
fool. But. forgive me, that promise was
a foolish one. and-and just trifle I'M
kind" The tears again started in her
eyes, and her voice took on the tremble
which went so appealingly to my heart.
"Never again will ! be so foolish" |
exclaimed. II will see your father and
tell him have broken my promise, that
It was impossible to keep it, and that it
is simply absurd to subject us to the
misery of a longer separation. May l
tell him that? May speak for both of
us?"
She hung her head, while the red
flush spread over her face. Then she
murmured; "Yes, speak for both of
MS. Why not. since it is true? Perhaps
you'll find father has changed his views
q trifle."
"Not in his opinion of my innocence,
hope" l said. 81 have been told he
strongly objected to my arrest. And
l know whose influence caused him to
do So"
'Not mine, really" Florence earnest
ly replied. Father believed you were
innocent, and took the stand he did
for that reason. l did not know about
the robbery until after the first meet
ing of the trustees. 1t was at that
meeting that he opposed your arrest.
l remember he felt quite triumphant
afterward, for most of the trustees in
sisted upon your immediate arrest, and
it was only after father said that he
would never consent to it that they gave
up the point"
"Nov that 10 plaocopt 70 baorr 7