Hand County press. (Miller, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1893, 1882-12-06
Lovc's Victory.

lOoht'S iIoth one OI the many
windows of her new home.
1t was the eve OF her wedding
day. Scarce eight hours pre-.
viously she had sworn to love,
honor, and obey Hugh Ham.
mersley, the wealthy manutac.
turer, until death did them part.
He 1T was who now occupied her
thoughts and shut out the splen.
did landscape, glInted with the
glory OF the dying day. Natural
enough for the husband to fill
heart and mind alike OF his bride,
yet y irown contracts the low.
white brow, an ominous glitter
shines in the wonderful grew
ewes, and scornful smile plays
about the exquislteIy-curved
lips, while the little hand, grasp
ing the curtain, 10 tightly cIench-
ed.
A sound breaks her reverie.
She quickly turns, rs the door
of the room ID softly opened, and
the figure OF tall, powerful man
darkens the threshold.
"You find all to your liking,
Florence?" he asks; aud voice
and eyes alike are tender rs he
puts the question.
"A moment ago-yes," she re-
plies. III was alone"
A shade darkened his face.
"Alonc, Florence? Is my pres
ence really 80 distusteful t.
your"
She shrugged her shoulders,
and turned her face once more
toward the open window.
With one stride he had reach
cd her side, and laid his hand
upon her arm.
"Answer me" he said; aud
his tone was command. "To-
day, you swore To make my hap
pIness. | knew our marriage
was one of convenience; | knew
that the daughter OF one of Eng
lands proudest, II poorest, peers
would not have stopped to the
plebeian hand of the rich manu-
tactcrer,s son, bad it not been
that the fortunes of her house
had sad y fallen; | knew she was
no hypocrite. to feign a love she
did not feel. But / did not
know that she gave scorn for
love, or hatred for courtesy. She
was woman, l man. She
bridged the socia! gulf between
us when she became my wife.
Florence do you already regret
the step"
"Bittcrly! madly.' she cried,
raising her eyes To his, aud let |
ting him see all the scorn and
anger in their depths. "You say |
l was no hypocrite. was, bnt
/ will be so 40 longer. You
need not talk alone of my smbit-
ion. What of yours? You had
meney, not rank, not social po-
sition. The latter | gave you
in exchange for your wealth.
The bargain is an even one - let
US cry quits, but let us have no
talk of love, or heart, or senti-
msnt; let US bury these in u mar
tial grave, and on it uprear a
monument of distant courtesy.
Do not make me hate you by
forcing upon me the rights you
have assumed Leave me my
solitude, unless when the world
demands 1t otherwise. will
not lntrude upon yours"
The young mans face was of
an almost ghastIy pallor as she
finished speaking. His hand
dropped from her arm.
Though l may boast of no IT,
tie, my lady," he SAID, very
slowly, Il claim nobility's truest
rank-the rank OF gentleman,
to whom the wishes OF the wo-
man he has made his wife are
law. You have not spared me
IN expressing yours. Allow me
to offer you my deepest sympa-
thy for. the cruel fate which
tempted you to make the sacri-
flee on which the church tins
morning set its seal aud which
/, for the first time appreciate.
Happily, madam, the home, to
which 1 have brought you is not
a cottage. When you wish for
me, command me, Otherwise
beg you will consider your
apartments your castle, at whose
gates Hugh Hammersley will
never knock, either as suppliant
or intruder"
He bowed low as he eased
speaking and slowly recrossed
the room. On its threshold he
paused.
Did he expect her to call him
back, or at leas. to soften her
cruel words? If so, he was wrong.
His hesitation was scarcely per-
ceptible. The door closed be-
hind him-the young and beau
tifui woman was again alone.