The Red Cloud chief., 1899-12-29

light deceived MIN; but as tho young
officer, with a sudden movement,
turned toward him, Harrison started
back. exclaimingly furiously:
Mr.. Roland--is Il you?"
Certainly" replied the other, coldly,
with a gloomy glance at the man whom
he had long recognized as his foe. You
probably did not expect to find me
hcre?"
Edward had already ~regained his
self-control. He instantly perceived
what threatened him and the peril In
volyed by his rivals unexpected ap-
pearancc. A few hours later. the latter
would have had no power to cross his
path: hut now he must face tho danger.
and Harrison was not the man to
shrink and give up the game as lost.
mo, indeed" he said, answering the
last question. 80 far as | am aware,
the Union forces have not reached
Springfield"
Yet | am here, as you see"
ION hostile soil. And for what pur-
poser"
do I W an account to you? You
seem to be usurping the place OF the
master of the house, Mr.. Harrison. !
regret hat | cannot acknowledge 1t;
for |. too, have n sons privilege here,
and will speak only to the father OF
my betrothed bride"
MY uncle will hardly be disposed
to recognize your claim. At any rate.
you must forego an interview with
him"
"Wlll you prevent IT." demanded
Roland. threateningly.
But Florence, who had a~nxlously
noticed the rising wrath OF the two
men, now interposed.
MY father is i'll, william" she said
| gently: has been very Ill for months.
During the last few weeks his disease
| has assumed n dangerous phase, and
yesterday the doctor prepared me for
| the worst
Her voice was choked with tears.
| william listened in perplexity; what
ever wrath he had cherished against
his future fa~ther-in-law, this news
disarmed him.
Il had no thought Of this" he said,
| deeply moved. MY poor Florence!"
lie put his arm around the weeping
| girl. But this movement. the quiet
| confidence with which he asserted tho
| Harrison to the utmost; his n
| clenched as II he longed to tear the
couple apart, and his voice sounded
hoarse, almost stiiled.
"You don't seem to be aware OF
what has happened recently, Mr.. Ro-
land. am compelled to inform you
OF II; l."
81 know and suspect more than
might be agreeable to you," inter-
rupted the young officer. releasing
Florence and approaching him. Il
Just heard from Miss Harrison that
not one OF my letters has reached her
hands, though l used every precaution'
Her father cannot have interfered,
since for months he has been on a sick
bed; yet an intrigue has been carried
on which I see with tolerable distinct
ness. Perhaps l shall apply to the
right person II I ask you for informa-
ton. You will, Of course. deny"
who tells you so?" asked Edward,
coldly. 1.-THE letters are In my
hands"
william started back. This cold.
blooded acknowledgment completely
destroyed his self-command for a mo-
ment; hut Florence exclaimed in con-
s%ternation:
Edward! You did that?'
He turned to her with a perfectly
unmoved manner.
81 think ] can explain II. At first ]
acted only at your fathers request
afterward on my own authority; but
then I was simply exercising my rights
for you will remember that three
weeks & you consented to become
my wife"
THAT Is q lie! A shameful slander!'
cried william. Speak. Florence! De.
fend yourself! You see I don't be-
lieve one word of the calumny.
Ito be continued.)