The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1899-01-14
sured your cousin how sincere know

sured your cousin how sincere | know
they will be. Is your father within?"
"No, ] believe not, and without the
consent of ones guardian, congratula-
tions, infer, are premature. However,
you may rest assured of mine, IL you
consider them of moment"
The tone in which she spoke gave no
betrayal Of the conflict she endured, and
at the words Bell started forward.
allow kind of you, dear cousin, to
share my happiness but something,
unnoticed by the man, warned her 20
say no more--to draw back chilled, she
could scarce tell why, and send the mo-
mentary impulse Of affection back 10 its
fountainhead. A shadow of underlined
dread crept over her; not even her low
cr's kiss, with his promise 10 return
early in the morning that the important
interview might be accomplished, could
dissipate a shadow which took visible
form, as on the following day she was
summoned from the breakfast room TO
her uucle's study, and met her cousin
just leaving it with an expression of
triumphant assurance she was unable
10 conceal.
with unusual urbanity, after careful
w closing the door, Mr.. Fielding mo-
toned her to o seat.
IF hear" lac began, clearing his throat,
that MIR. Armstrong has asked you 10
become his wife. This both amazes and
pains me. Amazed because you certain
~ must have conducted your courtship
with unbccoming secrecy, and panied
because 1t forces me into disclosures
which VIII make this marriage an inn
possibility
The shadow had fallen now. She felt
II sulfocatug her, but she awaited the
rest In silence.
"llad your hand been sought by one
whose name was of less lustre, and
whose birth, station, and immense
wealth forced him TO less necessarily
maintain II, might have kept silent.
Now | cannot consistently do so, there
fore / must tell you your father is not
dead, as you have supposed, but still
lives, fugitive from justice!"
"Livcs My father! Thank Godr
From her white lips broke the exclama-
lion OF gratitude, unheedng the barrier
which had forbidden all these years his
acknov Lodging himself 10 his child.
81 will not here speak Of the character
of his olfensr, save that the clcmency of
one man saved him from disgrace" he
continued, fcsilessly pacing the floor, as
though cven his hard nature shrank
from his sclf.appointed task. Ills eyes
srI.. "a ih.. white Nor
ing face Of the girl he was stabbing
with each word. at only remains for
me to upprisc Mr.. Armstrong of these
facts to induce him at once to renounce
your hand of his own accord, or in
mercy TO your pride inform him you
have rcpcnted a too hasty decision and
wish TO be free. Which course will you
choose?'
"Sir. your blood is in my veins. The
question is therefore scarcely neces-
sary. / shall never see Loring Arm
strong again. Word 1t as you will, only
IL it be true that my father lives,
would share his exile, aye il needs be
his disgrace. Write him il is my wish,
and gain quickly his consent"
''No letter could reach him. As soon
as possible | will let him know of your
desire"
Slowly Bell rose and left the room,
wondering IL years had not elapsed
since last she had entered IT, A dun
wonder took possession OF her In the
weeks that followed us TO why her lover
so calmly had accepted her sudden re-
lection OF his suit She did not Iu,,,, a.,