The Lamar register., 1900-01-17

young man, f1ne-looking, bus with
an arrogant, self-conscious manner,
entered the room
How is my uncle?" he asked quick
ly, What heard from the servants
outside did not sound very consoling.
Is he worse?''
Il fear So" replied Florence, softly.
He had bad night, and the in
creased weakness is alarming. He fell
asleep an hour ago, and l used the op-
portunity to get little rest"
Edward Harrison drew up chair
and sat down.
Excuse me If l disturb you. have
just come from the city. My friend,
Captain Wilson, accompanied me; and
the justice of the peace, with the other
witnesses, will arrive at the appointed
time. All the preparations are made,
SO that the wedding can take place this
evening"
A slight tremor ran through the
young girls frame, and there was a
tone of fear in her voice as she asked:
''Today-must it be?"
81 thought we had arranged it. Sure
ly you consented"
"Yes; but hoped you would allow
weeks What is the use of this fierce
haste? Why should the wedding take
place beside my fathers sick-bed?"
Because it is your fathers last wish
and will, as you know from his own
lips. He wants to know that you will
be safe and sheltered in a husbands
arms when danger assails us, and he
has my promise that will protect you
and his property to my last breath"
"As soon as it becomes yours-I
don't doubt it."
Edwards brows contracted angrily.
A dark frown Swallowed his face.
What does that mean, Florence? Do
you doubt my love? You know that
it is bestowed on you alone. not your
estates, which, in the storms of war.
may be destroyed like so many which
have already been ruined. You must
trust me. l shall certainly not sac
rifice you to any principle, as others
have DONE"
The allusion was distinct enough.
F1orence's head dropped, but her tone
betrayed rising indignation. as she re-
piled:
was 1 sacrificed? You say so. and
so does my father, but have never
heard it from Williams lips, and you
were always his enemy. cannot un-
derstand his giving up the struggle SO
quickly, not even making an attempt
to change my views, and sometimes /
fear"
She did not finish the sentence, but
her eyes, which rested with unmistak-
able suspicion on her cousins features,
expressed the thought which she did
not utter in words. But there was no
change in his countenance, and the an
swer was equally unmoved and cold.
Surely, you read the letter in which
he broke with your father? Was not
that plain enough? He knew the price
that would enable him IL possess you.
1t would have cost him only single
word to call you his; yet, instead. he
delivered a political lecture on manly
honor, duty, conviction and the rest of
the set phrases. Well, he followed his
conviction and-gave you up"
The young girls pale face began to
flush, and her lips were closely COM
pressed. This was the goad which had
conquered her resistance, forced her
into the new bond; 1t produced its ef-
feet now.
Yes, he gave me up" she repeated.
bitterly. we'll have given him
up, too"
"And cannot you yet shake of the
memory? You have been candid with
me, Florence, cruelty candid. l was
forced to hear from your lips that that
other still held the first place in your
heart, that only filial duty won your
consent to my suit. Be it so! / will
venture the risk, even with this state
ment l will cope with this arrogant
German, who does not know what
love is, who has never felt the full
pulse of genuine passion. For me, no
price is too high for the prize of pos
sessing you. l would overthrow all
that stood between us, were it even
what / held highest. Resist as you
may, shall yet win you-you and
your love"
There was really touch of genuine
passion in the words. and the ardent
gaze which rested on the young girl
proved that Edward Harrison was not
playing a mere game of calculation.
49, l. 81 ~. l.