The Lamar register., 1900-01-31

lures expressed vague anxiety; now she
started in sudden terror.
You are going? You will leave
me?"
81 must. l gave my colonel my word
of honor to return at sunset. This was
the sole condition on which he would
permit me to ride here. must keep
this promise
And leave me alone, exposed to the
full fury of the storm which Edward
will raise. You mortally insulted him,
flung the word fraud into his face.
He will avenge himself for 1t, and OF
me, if you are out of reach"
Then come with me-" said William,
with desperate resolution. Cast every
thing behind you and follow me at
once. Our marriage has long been
agreed upon. We shall find within our
lines Justice of the peace and priest,
will perform the ceremony. Day after
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS even-you can be
my wife. Then come what may, at
least nothing can separate u.s."
"And my father?" replied the young
girl, with a trembling voice Must
he, in his last hour, call in vain for his
child? Must strangers hand close
his eyes? So long as he breathes, my
place is at his side"
You are right, 1 forgot You are
bound; but, SO, too. am l. You hear. 1
| gave my word of honor, and where
| duty calls"
DUTY? To whom? Your first, most
sacred duty is to protect me. 1 shall
stay l have not the heart to leave my
father. You will go. when you see that
l cling to you in mortal anguish? Will
| liam. our love is at stake!''
And SO is my honor, Florence!
Merciful heaven! Hear me! Do not
torture me longer by your entreaties!
Do you not understand that must go,
even though the whole happiness of
my life depended on my remaining"
She really did not understand. The
spoiled, idolized daughter of the rich
planter could not believe that anything
| could be more valued than herself.
| She had had before her eyes the dan
| gerous example OF a passion which set
aside duty and honor to gain her hand.
| Only an hour before she had heard the
confession from Edwards lips. From
| William she always heard of honor and
duty; and the old suspicion that there
| was lack of love stirred in her heart.
1 And yet, her whole soul drew her to
the man who seemed SO hard and un-
| yielding-she would not lose him.
| ''William," There was no reproach
in her voice now. The tones were
sweet and persuasive. William, do
| not leave me; you do not know what
| 7 hA Vt 70
hours. My father will demand the full
fillment of my promise. If refuse, the
excitement will perhaps cause his
death. Then | shall be wholly in Ed
wards power, and you do not know
him as l do. He has fiendish will,
| which can overcome all resistance.
| During his suit l have often felt like
the bird spell5ound by the gaze of the
serpent. 1t knows that it is going to
destruction. yet flutters into its jaws.
Have you courage to leave me to this
power? fear it."
With feminine instinct, she had
touched the right chord. Williams
jealousy blazed up at the thought of
the possibility suggested. He, too,
knew Edward, and was aware that Ed
ward would make every effort to wrest
from him the prize which he had just
regained. Florence was not created for
heroine. To leave her now was in
deed to loose her Torn from the shell
tering trunk, she would fiutter help
lessly. like vine in the storm, and
become a prey to the tempest
Roland made no reply. but ter
rible conflict was raging in his soul.
Now, for the first time, he understood
the warning of Colonel Burney, who
had been unwilling to let him go into
temptation.
He had manfully resisted it, when
Harrison assailed him; but it was very
different to stand face to face with
| Florence, listen to her entreaties and
see her tears. The young officer loved
her with all the passion of his four
| and-twenty years, and his strength
threatened to forsake him.
Florence saw the conflict in his face,
and, clinging to him like a timid dove,
she pleaded more and more fervently,
ltwhile the temptation stole nearer and
nearer. After all, why was it neces-
sary that he should return today?
There was no battle in prospect; the
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