Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1873-10-03
FRANK PREsclTT's c0uRTssiP.

II lf.3 Fgfsa sitt b Il
4 d FRANK PREsC3TTs C0uRTsHfP.
Tile scarlet June sunset had grown dull i
the west, and the plaintiye crirkets were q
their vesper-songs, when Julia Morton cam
stroIling up the wide path which led to he
grand-mother's olei-fashioned homestead
Somebody was waiting on the porcil to NEE
4 her, and then III that dim light Julia coul,
recognize the silver-haired old lady witt
| whom she had lived since childhood, and he
heart gave a little nervous bound, too, as sh
saw what a stern look was on that usual,
| placid face. TT
! Don't scold, grandma Julia said in he
most conciliating tones, as she ascendcd ths
steps of the porch. II know it's rather late
and ought not to have disregarded YOU
wishes about coming home earlier, but
Nov that you are home" Mrs. Morton
| interrupted. with acoldness IN her voice thai
was almost iikebaateur, perhaps, Julie yo''
will not object to few moment - coilVers;l-
/ ton with NO IN the siff;ng room.
..Ce,.ainly not, grandma; but please don t
c~.It nne TO petrify me with that stony look
Of yours. Have been committing anything
dreadful in the way of crime by sta1-iaee ore
ittrsv satrf
Mrs. Morton deferred her reply to this
question until they stood together The sit
ting room. Their. IS the soft lamp lig t fell
on her wrinkled countenance, lending deeper
severity to its angercd expression, she said
II could readily excuse you for so slight
an offensc as the one which yon seem to sup
pose am annoyed at. No, Julia; your dis
obedience is of far more culpable nature.
Ralph Olnistcad las been the companion OF
your walk this afternooh-ali you may well
start and look guilty. Ibid not believe you
capable OF such deceit, Julia-such wanton,
reckless disobedience, too.l OF my express
commands. Do not attempt to deny thls
charge; you were seen walking on the L.
road this afternoon with Mr.. Olmstead. Ny
information comes from reliable source"
.That of Mrs. Ellis, ]" retorted Julia, s'the
incorrigibIe gossip and tell-tale! We met her
this afternoon remember. and Mr.. Ohm
stead attracted my attention to the hideous
bonnet sI,e wears. AS for your information
being thoroughly correct, see no reason
whyI should deny its truth. And shall
confess. moreover, that Ralph Olmstead's
society is vastly agreeable may, more. = she
went on hotly, '.that | prefer it to the society
OF any other gentleman in Ingoldham. There
is no use in Disgusting matters any longer,
grandma; this arrangement is made between
you ana the Prescotts is simply ridiculous.
/ do not consider myself engaged to Frank
Prescott, because his mother and you chose
to alliance us in that stupid french way, be-
fore was old enough to spell the word mar
riaee,' let alone understand it. | have never
seen Frank Prescott, and suppose you will
be terribly shocked to learn that when ne
visits rs next week, shall take the earliest
convenient opportunity OF freeing myself
from SO absurd contract
.sAnd your reasons for this behavior, !" re-
piled Mrs. Morton, white with anger, twill
be your love-your infatuation for penni-
less adventnrer, by the name OF Ralph Olm-
stead-a man." she continued, sswho, since
his arrival at Ingoldham, three months ago,
has used every art in his power to become
the possessor Of your fortune
.sThese are words, grandma, which you
have no right to utter against an honorable
man, who sole fault is poverty"
Z ..Honorable!" echoed the old lady, IL
decided passion. II tell you, Julia Morton,
that Ralph Olmstead is an impostor. Simple
country folks like those in Ingoldham are
easily imposed upon. For my part, believe
none Of his stories about reduced gentllify.
and you win believe them mark my ords-
to your sorrow. 4
Somehow her grandmother's rage had the
effect Of calming Julia.
III shall not prolong conversation whicn
can lead to no good oil either side." she sid,
advancing slowly toward the door q tne
anartment. 81 love Ralph Olmstead TOO
dearly for your bitter words not to wound
ma altbonph may know them to be unjust.
In months time shall be my own mistress,
ma fraa to dispose Of my heart and my
money as see proper. Until that period
vo,, have my firm, solemn promise not 20 see
NJ e,Instead again. Good night. grandma.
v you have made my head ache, and am go
ing to bed.
mt Julia wrote letter that evening, be-
tora she retired to rest, In which she informed
palnh OF the promise made TO her grand
...o,her. and besought of him not to seek her
snciety during tile next month. latter that I
., .nA wrote, IL shall be entirely yours. What
-yar sforles you may hear during Mr, Pres-