The Springfield herald., 1900-02-02

bound; but, so, too, am l. You hear. /
gave my word of honor. and where
duty calls"
DUTY? To whom? Your first, most
sacred duty Is to protect me. l shall
stay. 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 l 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
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
I must encounter during the next few
hours. My father will demand the full
fllment 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 us l do. He has a fiendish will.
which can overcome all resistance.
During his suit l have often felt like
the bird spellbound by the gaze OF the
serpent 1t knows that 1t 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 flutter help
| lessly, like a vine in the storm, and
| become a prey to the tempest.
Roland made no reply. but a 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 timid dove,
she pleaded more and more fervently.
while 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
| soldier would not be missed from his
post. What If he should stay merely
| until the morrow? Much-nay, every
thing-would be decided by that time.
Death was already knocking at the
door, and. as soon as Mr.. Harrison
passed from earth. his daughter would
be free to follow her lover.
Until tomorrow!
A pretext was easily found. Spring
field was within the enemy's lines. The
way might be obstructed; return I'M
possible; any one of the hundred perils
which threatened the daring rider
might intervene. 1t was but word
which stood between him and his hap
piness-true. his word of honor.
Ito be continued.)