Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-10-08

"Mr. Morley, want Florence to be
my wife. There is no use mincing mat
ters; the simple fact is, must have
her. She loves me. and my love for her
Is part of life itself. Will you not give
your consent?"
To my disappointment he lodged the
question altogether.
"Why are you here?" he asked.
"Here?"
"Yes. Why did you come to Nelson
ville?"
"Te find rest and quiet and peace; to
escape peoples cruel tongues" I ex-
claimed impatiently. II give you my
word of honor, sir" went on, think
ing OWNED what his thought was, II
knew nothing of your living in Nelson
vile. No idea was farther from my
mind than that should meet Florence
here. But I cannot help telling you
how my meeting her has lightened the
burden of the past year, how her love
makes my life appear bright before
me, and shine even through the cloud
which still rests upon my honor. You,
of course, can withhold your consent,
but, I tell you openly, I shall in that
case do my utmost to persuade her to
marry me against your WISH"
was startled by my holiness in
speaking as did, but the words were
out, and would not have recalled them
If could.
Florence would not marry without
my consent" Mr.. Morley remarked,
with tho frooo r,f n cyo;la
"Ah. sir, I know that we'll. We can
wait until my innocence is proved. But
it would be most cruel to us both should
you withhold your consent"
"You are still sanguine, then, of
your innocence being cstablished?"
Most assuredly. sir"
Why an anxious look should appear
on his face could not tell then.
know the many sudden changes of ex-
preston which came over him during
the conversation caused me consider
able surprise ut the time.
IL have not kept track of that at
fair" he began feebly, "having been
fully occupied with my own concerns.
Haye-er-have there been any new de-
velopments, any discoveries upon which
you base your hope"
can innocent man cannot be made
to suffer forever, according to all laws
of truth and justice. firmly believe
my name will be cleared, perhaps SOON
i er than expected"
"Then your hopes are based on mere
sentiment, and not on any discovery
bearing on the case?" Mr.. Morley asked.
MOSTLY on the idea that truth will
eventually prevail" replied, epigram-
matically.
| "a most unstable anchorage nova
days. Facts and proofs are what the
practical world demands. So, then, you
ask me to rescind my request made Of
you year ago. notwithstanding the
/, fact that the conditions remain the
! same. You have broken your promise
! to me; how then am to know that your
I, protestations of love for my daughter
are sinccre?"
] stared at the man in establishment,
for his words were delivered in cold,
matter-of-fact manner, and, If there
had been any reason for it, should
have thought there was triumphant
ring in the tones of his voice.
The idea that Horace jackson had 40
tually succeeded in persuading the ia
Their that was the guilty one in ref
/ erence to the bank robbery flashed
across my mind. / knew, too, that
/ deep and sincere us Florence's love
was for me, she would never be my wifi,
| against her fathers wish.
In bitterness of heart broke out II
volume of words, urged on to earn
| estness by the fear that my darling
+, would be lost to me:
Good God, sir! You love your daugh
ter; you love her tenderly. Your devo
ton to her has been synonym of ia
therly love; everyone has spoken q
it that knew you, Then how in heavens
name can you endanger her happiness
in life by persuading her to marry {
man she cannot love-one whom she de
tests, the very sight of whom is alb
horrent to her? Oh, sir, she is youns
and has lifetime of happiness or mis-
cry before her, whichever you may
choose to make it. You are-pardol
me for saying it--yon are breaking
man." Mr.. Morley sprang from hi
seat at these words, and stood erect
confronting me with glare of angry
resentment in his eyes. But went on
Nothing could have stopped me then
ut is true, sir; the signs of ill-healtl
are upon you. That was one cause
the change in you, which brought thu
tears to your daughters eyes just now
His naughty manner subsidized, wen
down suddenly. He sank upon the seat
covering his face in his hands, ant
groaned.
could not help plying him, Meth
er could resist taking advantage O
this change.
II cntreat you, sir, to ask Florenc,
to speak out to you from her heart
If she exhibits the slightest compuno
ton at the thought of being my wife
l solemnly promise never to intrude OF
your notice again--to withdraw from
your life and hers as completely a
though ! had never lived. Think, Mr.
Morley, if anything should happen t,
you
Happen to mel" he broke in, will
/ hoarse tones.
] "Why, yes; people die, you know
sometimes suddenly" l faltered, to,
much astonishcd at the terrified lool
which came over his face to choos,
my words. But my amazemen
changed to alarm at the effect of TIL,
/ last remark.
i Mr.. Morley's face became CHASTITY
his under jaw dropped, and his hand
worked convulsively. His lips moved
too, but no sound came from them.