The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1904-02-06
CHAPTER XVIII.
MariG's Discovery.


in the sad-eyed woman who smiled a
greeting to the girl entering her room.
"Florence!" Avice exclaimed, spring
ing to her side, you have been i'll
again, and have not sent for mel"
mo, dear, not very ill-not i'll
enough as to be so selfish as to take
you away from your busy preparations
to bring you here. You think of me
too much, Avice. Oh, darling, let no
cloud mar your happiness while it
lasts"
what right I have to happiaess when
God has given me so much and sent
you such misery? Think! All my
life l have never known a care, a sCr-
row, except when poor papa died, and
and the sorrow that has come to
you. Florence, will you not see Trav-
is? He is so wretched"
Il cannot, I dare not! This fate
which keeps us apart seems so terri
BILE that (Avice, do not shrink away
from me, dear) sometimes I feel as if
l must brave all the world and fly to
him-that care not where we go, so
that can feel his arm about me, and
his lips once more pressed to mine.
1t is all a nightmare to me, and yet
all so plain. l can recall every little
word during our engagement, which
l could not then understand, but which
now is written in fire before my eyes
The moment that woman spoke I
knew it was true, all true; and as the
sudden darkness came over me l
wished, even as I swooned, that I
might never waken from it. Now,
each moment, each hour, 1 live again
that scene, until I feel as if should
go mad. Sometimes I wonder, Avice,
why | was not in your place on that
day when Milton Lennox saved your
life; why my horse could not at any
time, without guiding, saving hand,
have borne me to destruction and
dashed out my helpless misery against
the stones!"
The words had burst from her quiv.
ering lips, but now gave place to
choking sobs.
Florence, darling, be calm God
will yet send way out of all this mis-
cry. Every night I can hear Travis
pacing up and down his room, no mat
ter at what hour may awaken, until
it seems selfish in me to sleep while
he is thus tortured. Oh, Florence,
what have you both done that you
should deserve this bitter punish.
ment?"
HE who has sent it knows, perhaps.
But now, Avice, you can understand
why'I dare not meet Travis He must
have strength for both of u.s. But tell
me something of yourself"
What can I tell you, save that it is
more like preparing for funeral than
wedding? I do not know that any
thing would have been in readiness
but for the treasure I have secured in
my new maid. She wears glasses and
the ug]iest. cap you can imagine, so
that her personal appearance is far
frJm prepossessing, but she is won.
dcrful. I hesitated at first about TAX
ing her, as the lady who had last EN-.
ployed her was not in town; but her
recommendations were so excellent
and she seemed so anxious to come
| that | determined to try her, and have
done nothing but congratulate myself
| ever since"
"How glad am! And you will not
change your mind about the we'd
ding?'
''No. think not. Travis seems al
most as anxious as Milton that it
should take place. Poor fellow! No
doubt he fears in some way his trou-
bic may extend to me. 1t is scarcely
: worthy, however. to be called we'd
ding, since no one is to be present. I
shall not even wear white
Florence shuddered, remembering
her own wedding dress, laid away for
ever.
Quick tears of sympathy started to
Avices eyes.
"You see,. dear" she continued, ITO
talk of myself is ever to drag open
your wounds. Besides, l take no
pleasure in any Of it, save that Milton
loves me and him. Yet his love for
me l cannot understand. am such a
child and he Is so grand, so true, so
noble! I miss him so sadly!"
miss him."
eyes. Did you not know he is away?
Some business called him to Liverpool
but l expect him back in few days
now, and I am trying to learn my first
lesson in patience. He said 1t was
the last time we should be parted,
she added with blush.
God grant it," exclaimed Miss St.
John, solemnly.
"Dr. Hayes is so often at the house
now" Avice continued. do you
know, Florence" speaking in mys
terious whisper, that if he were not
such dear and old friend of Millions
I should think he was in love with
me?"
The ingenious confession brought 8
smile to her listeners lips.
And If SO, what then? Do you
think Milton would be Jealous p
II cannot imagine Milton jealous"
But do you like this MANI"
/