Hutchinson gazette., 1900-01-11

'You are right forgot. Ysu ATt
bound; but, 30, too, am !. Toa hear <
gave my word Of honor, and whore
duty calls"
"Dutyf To whomT Your hrst, most
sacred duty Ia TO protect me. | shall
stay. have not the heart to leave my
father, You will 30, when you see that
cling TO you In mortal anguish Will
liam, our love is at stakel"
"And 80 is my honor! Florence!
Merclful heAven Hear mel Do not
torture me longer by your entreatlesI
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, idollzed daughter OF the rich
planter could not believe that anything
could be mort valued than herself
She had had before her oyes the dan
gerous example of passion which ret
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 n lack OF love stirred in her heart
And yet, her whole soul drew her to
the man who seemed 80 hard and un-
yleldlng-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
must encounter during the next few
hours. My father will demand the full
fllment OF my promise. II l refuse, the
excitement will perhaps cause HIS
death. Then | shall be wholly In Ed
wards power, and you do not know
him as do. He has a fendsh will
which can overcome all resistance
During hla suit have often felt like
the bird spellbound by the gaze OF the
serpent. 1t knows that II Is going tc
destruction, yet hutters into Its jaws
Have you courage to leave me to thli
power? I-fear It."
With feminine instinct, she hat
touched the right chord, Williams
jealousy blazed up at the thought o.
tho possibility suggested. He, too
knew Edward, and was aware that Ed
ward would make every effort to wres
from him the prize which he had jus
regained. Florence was not created fo
heroine. To leave her now was In
deed to loose her Torn from the shel
terlng trunk, she would futter help
lessly, like vine In the storm, ant
become a prey to the tempest.
Roland made no reply, but a ter
rlble conflict was raging In his soul
Now, for the flrst time he undersloo,
the warning Of Colonel Burney, VIII,
had been unwilling to let him 80 int
temptation.
He had manfully resisted 1t, whel
Harrison assalled him; but 1t was YER
different to stand face to face VIII
Florence, listen to her entreaties an
see her tears. The young officer love
her with all the passion Of his four
and-twenty years, and his strengt
threatened to forsake him.
Florence saw the conflict In his face
and, cllnging to him like a timid dove
she pleaded more and more ferventlS
while the temptation stole nearer an
nearer. After all, why was 1t neces
sary that he should return today
There was no battle In prospect; tn
soldier would not be missed from hi
post. What II he should stay merel
until the morrow? Much-nay, every
thing-would be decided by that tint
Death was already knocking at tn
door, and, as soon as Mr.. Harriso
passed from earth, his daughter woul
be free to follow her lover.
. Until tomorrow!
A pretext was easily found. SprlnG
, field was within the enemy's lines. TIL
way might be obstructed; return i'm
possible; any one Of the hundred peril
which threatened the daring ride
might intervene. 1t was but wor
which stood between him and his haT
piness--true, his word Of honor.
(To he continupdl