Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1897-12-31

Florence must catch up with me if she
intended to ride to her home from Sid
ington.
was growing weaker since Sarah's COM
ment upon it. \ word from Florence, l
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
I caught glimpse, out of the corner
of my eye, OF a swaying petticoat.
She pulled in her horse to walk,
and then turned my head and glanced
ut her. My heart was in my throat
when looked, but the smile that greet
ed me tlispclled 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 lcaping
for joy, l reinea my horse to stand
still. In an instant 1 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.
Icould 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
| rot. I certainly will not tell you how
| happy [ am in again meeting an old
! frcnd.'
The soft, sweet tones of her voice,
! which [ loved SO to hear. had now Il
tremblc to them. glanced at her, and
we'll, Florence was still my true heart,
as she had been throughout, notwith-
| standing my doubt and fear.
"Thc past year has been an eternity
to me-" 1 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 mc?' she said, with joyous laugh,
which told me rs plainly as words
| could how she had missed me.
| 1T is not cleared up; sometimes
think it never will be. I could not have
found fault with you had you forgotten
me. Will you forgive me when con-
TESS was fearful you had?''
! NO. I 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 1 realized that it was you
! who were standing there. That was
4 slight cause for mistrusting me, sir. y
! 1T was and 1 am very sorry. Indeed,
I have been fool right through the
whole affair. l see it now. I had no
! right to make such Il promise"
! We'll. I do not think you were a
fool. But, forgive me, that promise was
a foolish one, and-and just 4 trific 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!" l
exclaimed. Il will see your father and
tell him have broken my promise, that
it was impossible to keep it, and that 1T
is simply absurd to subject us to the
misery of 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: Eyes, speak for I-oth OF
us. Why not, since it is true? Perhaps
You'll find father has changed his views
! tritle.'
Not in his opinion Of my innocence,