The silver star., 1900-02-02

you arc right! forgot. You are
bound; but. so. too. am I. You hear. I
gave my word Of honor, and whore
duty calls"
"Duty7 To whom? Your first, most
sacred duty is to protect me. shall
stay. have not the heart to leave my
father. You will 60. when you sec that
I 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 entreatiesi
Do you not understand that must 20,
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 passion which get
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 80 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
must encounter during the next few
hours. My father will demand the full
fillment Of my promise. II refuse, the
excitement will perhaps cause his
death. Then 1 shall be wholly in Ed
wards power, and you do not know
him as I do. He has a fiendish will
which can overcome all resistance
During his suit have often felt like
the bird spellbound by the gaze of ths
serpent. It knows that 1t is going tc
destruction, yet flutters into its jaws
Have you courage to leave me to thii
\ power? fear It,"
With feminine instinct, she had
touched the right chord. Williams
jealousy blazed up at the thought ol
the 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 TO
a heroine. To leave her now was in
deed to loose her. Torn from the shel
tering trunk. she would lutter help
lessly. like vine in the storm. ant
become 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 int
temptation.
He had manfully resisted 1t, whel
Harrison assailed him: but it was YER.
different to stand face to face with
Florence. listen to her entreaties ant
see her tears. The young officer love-
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 ant
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 time
Death was already knocking at tn
door. and. as soon as Mr.. Harrison
passed from earth. his daughter woult
be free to follow her lover.
Until tomorrow!
A pretext was easily found. Spring
field was within the enemy's lines. Tn
way might be obstructed: return i'm
possible: any one Of the hundred peril
which threatened the daring ride
might intervene. It was but wor'
which stood between him and his hap
piness-true. his word Of honor.
Ito be continued.)