Lincoln County advocate. (Canton, Dakota Territory, [S.D.]) 1876-1877, 1876-11-29
THE COMPANION.

beauty, DOCQ uT6SS0u III u60p mourn.
ing, were seated in pleas ant morning
room. One, the youngest and unde-
niably the fairest, was directing an en-
velope; the other, a pale, delicate girl
looked on with sad wistful eyes.
II WISH" the latter said at last, 60,
Nesta, I wish you would not send that.
My father never intended you to leave
here"
cit is better for me to co." said the
other carefully sealing the envelope;
"better far better"
"Why will you not confde in me
Have we not been sisters from our
very babyhood?"
"But we are sisters only in love,
Ruth. Let me 60. Do you not under
stand? cannot stay where Raymond
is"
Gle has not been base enough"
cried Ruth.
"Hush !" interrupted Nesta; he has
said nothing. But his mother was here
yesterday"
"Well!"
"She has just learned that am not
Mr.. Fairthorne's daughter, but Ernes-
tine Hay, waif, adopted in child
hood, and thrown penniless upon the
world by my adopted fathers death
without will"
"But it is all mine, Nesta; and
want to settle half upon you, as my
father intended, as soon as I am of
age"
!" But Mrs. Bancroft told me more
She says that to educate Raymond,
drew heavily upon the capital of her
late husbands property. Raymond
has widowed aunt who is very kind
to him, and who is very wealthy. Mrs.
Bancroft hopes Ray will inherit her
fortune, if he does not displease her;
but she is very proud, proud of her
family and name, as well as wealth,
and it would entirely destroy all his
hopes there if ne married waif not
only poor, but without name."
And does Raymond send his mother
to tell you all this, when you are but q
week orphaned?'
Raymond is still abroad, Ruth, and
does not yet know my loss. I have
promised his mother not to tax his love
or his honor by seeing him, and so
hope for favorable answer to this"
and she touched the envelope, THAT I
may be far from here when he re-
turns"
"What have you written?"
"Only an answer to the advertise.
ment l read to you for companion to
al invalid lady. I have enclosed a lec-
ter from the minister Mr.. Martin,
speaking of me only under my true
name. If the answer is favorable.
Ruth, promise me you will keep my
address secret"
Raymond has q right to it,
"But l promised he should not have
it. He was betrothed to Nesta Fair
thorne, not to Frnestine Hay. If you
will not promise Ruth, I must then
hide myself even from YOU"
"But Nesta you must consider Raw.
mond," urged Ruth earnestly.
II do consider Raymond, and Ray
mond only. Do you not know that I
am tearing my heart-strings in this
parting for his sake? You know as
well as | do, Ruth, how he has been
brought up, in perfect luxury, with no
wish unqualified. If his mother throws
him of, and she will if he marries me,
and he o6ends his aunt, he will be re.
duced to poverty, with no preparation
for its hardships. 1t takes years to
make even q living as q lawyer"
see" said Ruth sadly.
For Raymond to come to me will
only be torture for both of us. He
will urge me to marry him, in defiance
Of mother and aunt, and I am afraid
Of my own resolution, If his loving
arms are around me. his pleading voice
in my ear"
Since it must be so I will keep your
secret" Ruth said; "but it is very