The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1898-03-22
CHAPTER XII.


his walk, and seemed to keep upright
by an effort of will.
Child, why have you tears in your
eyes?" he asked, in low, husky tones.
Then, without pausing for answer, he
went on: Retire into the house,
daughter. 1 wish to speak to Mr.. Con-
way. Change your habit if you wish.
L do not think will be able to ride with
you this morning"
''Oh, father, you are ILL" Florence
exclaimed, in deep concern. What is
it? Do come with me into the house
and let me do something for you" In
a loving way which was all her own
she drew his arm through hers.
The parent glanced down at the
beautiful upturned face with solicitous
love shining upon it, and his face lost
some of it's haggardness. He smiled
and replied: 81 am not i'll, Florence;
only trihe worried. Do as requested,
i please"
In obedience she slowly withdrew,
sending back to me an appealing
| glance.
When she had gone turned my gaze
upon the father. There was no wonder
that Florence had expressed concern
for her parent. Even the momentary
glimpse l had caught of him on the
morning after my arrival showed me
change. And now that closer in
spection was possible, the difference
between the Mr.. Morley of year ago
and the man now standing before me
was startlingly apparent. He certainly
looked like a sick man.
You had better sit down, sir" said,
in commiseration for his weakness.
Mr.. Morley sank down upon a rustic
seat and l remained standing before
him, awaiting his words with emotions
alternating between hope and fear.
II have lost somewhat of late
business reverses," he murmured.
Then, suddenly fixing his eyes on my
face in a searching glance, he said:
MY daughter was weeping. What was
the reason? What did you say to her
to cause her tears?"
cit was her own tender heart that
caused her to weep" 1 replied, after a
pause, during which considered what
answer I should make. For it did not
seem right to add any fresh trouble to
the already overburdened man.
He regarded me with a questioning
look, and 1 added: ''She was sorry, sir
that my innocence has not been estab
lished. This was partly the cause fol
her tears. 1 am deeply grateful for
her tender sympathy"
''Oh!" The hard lines of his face
relaxed; he drew long breath. "She
thinks very highly of you, Conway"
''Your words give me the keenes1
pleasure, Mr.. Morley, and offer me al
opportunity to lay before you a sub
ject which may prove unpleasant"
said, eagerly.
Mr.. Morley started; then a tremol
ran over him. What was the matter
. with the man that he seemed to take
alarm, first at my presence and now a
l my words? If he was so bound up il
his daughter that he was fearful o
having her leave him, even to marry tn,
man she loved, there seemed small hope
of obtaining his consent.
In the fear that l should lose my love
after all, poured out my earnes
words.
"Mr. Morley, 1 want Florence to b
i my wife There is no use mincing mat
tiers; the simple fact is, l must hav
0 her. She loves me, and my Jove for he
: is part of life itself. VIII you not Civ
n your consent?"
To my disappointment he lodged tn
l. question altogether.
y ''Why are you here?" he asked.
"Here?"
e Eyes. Why did you come to Nelson
ville?"
ITO find rest and quiet and peace; t
e escape peoples cruel tongues" l eH
claimed impatiently. Il give you M
b word of honor, SIR went on, thinl
e ing 1 OWNED what his thought was, 8
IS knew nothing of your living in Nelson
?, Vile. No idea was farther from IN
mind than that 1 should meet Florenc
y here. But 1 cannot help telling yo
n how my meeting her has lightened th
It burden of the past year, how her low
d makes my life appear bright befor
2, me, and shine even through the clou
e which still rests upon my honor. Yo1
Y of course, can withhold your consen
J. but, tell you openly, shall in tina
d case do my utmost to persuade her
p marry me against your wish"
e was startled by my boldness i
IS speaking as 1 did, but the words weT
< out, and would not have recalled theI
r if 1 could.
r Florence would not marry withol
my consent" Mr.. Morley remarked
ID with the trace of smile.
" 'Ah, sir. 1 know that well. We ca
L wait until my innocence is proved. b
it would be most cruel 20 US both shou
ot you withhold your consent"
~ you are still sanguine, then,
your innocence being established? ?"