The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-11-10

ride home alone. You are very pale.s1
assure you, and your hand is unsteady at
the rein.''
/ did feel nervous and weak, and was
not at all unwilling the young stranger
should walk at my side; he locked SO.
handsome. with his gun slung caIelessly
over his shoulder, and his rather reckless
face turned up to me. He walked by my
side up to the house, and, at my urgent
request, came in and received mammals
thanks for what he had done. He bowed
with princely grace, saying, "Breece
Roger, madame. is highly honored in
having the opportunity to do you or your
daughter service" And then he left
us, with one last glance of his dark, pas.
The very: next: day he came back,
bringing my scarf, which was lost when l
fell from my horse. And after that he
came off and on, whenever he could find
a pretext or excuse, until mamma became
annoyed at the freqency of his calls; and,
fearing that he was not suitable person
for. an associate, made inquiries of the
man who had taken charge of the
Meirdeth House all the years we were ab.
sent. What he told her did not help the
matter any. Breeze Rogers, man
Yes l know him. x His father was old
Squire Rogers. and fine old gentleman
he was, with good property that he
had amassed by hard work. But Breeze
was a wild lad from the first; and as
soon as he came Of age he grew worse, in
stead of better, and in three years time
had spent all his own property, and then
his father died leaving him his. That
was scarce two years ago, but the tine es-
tate is nigh used up with fast living, and
the young man is going to the bad, ma am,
as quick as he can go. He is handsome
lad, but a wild one, will ever be a ne'er-
do-well, fear
"And now, Rose mamma said, after
reporting this conversation to me, you
must discourage any further attention
from this Breeze Rogers. He is no COM
panion for you, the betrothed of Rollin
Weatherbee. l think we have been suf-
fciently kind to shim for the service he
did you, and do hope the acquaintance
or at least the familiar footing on which
he has placed himself, will be discon
tinued in the future. 1t is not proper
for bride.elect to be associated so famil-
iar}y with a strange young man of whom
she knows no good. You should tell him
Of your approaching marriage, and then
his attentions would undoubtedly cease,
if he has any sense Of honor whatever.
The necessity was saved me. That
very afternoon my mother took the talk
upon herself, Breeze came to Meridcth
House, and found me absent. gathering
MOSES. He sat down in the cool porch,
and fell to chatting, in his light, careless,
easy way, with my mother. How it hap
pened do not know. ut mother managed
to speak of my approaching marriage.
1t was almost dark when reached the
avenue that led up to the Merideth
House. A little figure stood leaning
against the stone gateway, as saunrered
by, my hands full of MOSES. "Good
evening" I said, gaily. "Will you walk
up with me p
He did not ans yer, save step forward,
draw my arm within his, and turn me
away from the house, down toward the
lake.
"We will 80 this way" he said; and
felt the fire of his eyes burning my cheek
to flame. We walked so, in dreadful
silence for moment, then he spoke.
us this thing true that your mother
tells me - he asked.
"What thing I almost whispered.
"You know y he answered, fiercely,
us it true that you are to be the wife Of
a white.faced aristocrat next October
That you are here to make your prepare
tons =
"Yes.'' The word came reluctantly
and almost with gasp. He took my
hands in his and looked down upon me.
"You shall not-you shall not - he
Kissed. IL love you, you are mine, now
and forever
Before | could speak or cry out he had
taken me in his arms, and was raining
kisses upon my lips. was young, ro
mantle, and impulsive. This man had
aroused a strange feeling ip my breast
that now, as lay in his arms, l believed
must be love. I could see the reckless
: beauty of his face as it bent above me-
and almost unconsciously ] clasped my
arms about his neck, sobbing wildly, anc
whispering, "Oh, if had only known
, you sooner if it were no: too late -
ut is not too late,'' he cried, passion
ately, straining me to his heart. "Yo,
are mine, now and for all time. Yo,
must be my wife -
"But cannot" I sobbed. Il am boune
to another the wedding:day draws
near'
. II care nothing for that. You must
wed me, and no other. I cannst give