The Good Time Coming by T. S. (Timothy Shay) Arthur
page 73 of 342 (21%)
page 73 of 342 (21%)
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without meeting any other member of your family. Did you receive my
letter?" he added, abruptly, and with a change of tone and manner. Fanny answered affirmatively; and his quick eye read her heart in voice and countenance. "When I wrote, I had no thought of meeting you again so soon. But a few hours after despatching the letter to your father, enclosing yours--a letter on business of importance, to me, at least--I received information that led me to wish an entire change in the programme of operations about to be adopted, through your father's agency. Fearing that a second letter might be delayed in the mails, I deemed it wisest to come on with the greatest speed myself. But I find that I am a day too late. Your father has acted promptly; and what he has done must not be undone. Nay, I do not wish him even to know that any change has been contemplated. Now, Miss Markland," and his voice softened as he bent toward the girlish form at his side, "may one so recently a stranger claim your confidence?" "From my father and my mother I have no concealments," said Fanny. "And heaven forbid that I should seek to mar that truly wise confidence," quickly answered Mr. Lyon. "All I ask is, that, for the present, you mention to no one the fact that I have been here. Our meeting in this place is purely accidental--providential, I will rather say. My purpose in coming was, as already explained, to meet your father. He is away, and on business that at once sets aside all necessity for seeing him. It will now be much better that he should not even know of my return from the South--better for me, I mean; for the interests that might suffer are mine alone. But let me |
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