Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-09-08

II was quite right Of you not to mako In
pertinent inquiries, especially concerning
her p~osition.b
Dexter felt he had done it now. It was
impossible for him to confess that he knew
Amy's identity. After q little further con.
versation they started for the terrace,
Meanwhile the young doctor had been
that Dexter would take the opportunity Of
telling his uncle his Intention to marry
Amy; the probability was greatly in favor
OF me old mans approval Of his nephew's
suit rather than Of his-Maitland's. One
lent tn Dexter had either won or lost, and
That II he won he must keep silent forever.
His only hope was that Amy loved him.
Yet why should she? He had always been
careful to treat her as a young sister, and
II occasionally he had been conscious Of
Propriate for a brother, she hadnever given
him reason for believing that she had ever
contemplated the possibility of a closer re.
lationshlp between them than had always
existed. Yet, if he lost her, and to such a
heartless s%coundrel! No! he would never
let her marry that other. Yet what Could
he do If she accepted him?
His mind was still full of the matter when
he found himself on the terrace. near the
seat of the invalid. MI. Fletcher and
his nephew were already there, and close
oy them stood Amy. She had evidently
only that moment arrived. Dexter rose.
and with considerable eagerness offered
her his seat, and began to introduce her to
his uncle.
'There is no necessity" interrupted Mr..
Fletcher; 'this young lady and I have met
Dexter looked surprised and annoyed.
He had made good use of his time during
the morning, which he spent in the com.
Pany OF Amy, doing all he could to com.
press q courtship into a couple of hours.
He had told her he wanted to introduce her
TO his uncle, but had not mentioned his
uncle was the same old gentleman whose
acquaintance she had already made.
AT this Maitland came up. He
took of his hat to Amy, and remained
standing near.
For some time the conversation was to
the men seemed inclined to be the first to
breach the subject that each was thinking
OF. At last Mr.. Fletcher, after a painful
cough, said:
my. dear, I want to speak to you sert.
ously Tor a minute or two. You will excuse
live 1t he says things a little bluntly. Try
and suppose that he is afraid he has not
time to do otherwise.O
Amy looked surprised, but said nothing.
MY nephew" continued Mr.. Fletcher,
has told me that he wishes you to be his
much to you, knowing that the possibility
OF his marrying depends on me. Ihave
told him that, if he gains your consent, he
will not marry a penniless girl, for I shall
give you the same as I shall give him. So
you see, you may rely entirely on your feel
q case Of marrying for money, but only for
love. What do you say?"
Amy said nothing. She turned her eyes
on Maltland, who persistently kept his
averted.
'This is too sudden, uncle." pleaded
Dexter.
perhaps it is" assented the old man,
-! do not ask for a decisive answer now.
Plead your own cause, my lad, during the
next week, and then Amy shall give her
reply"
Amy turned her head.
sh There There is no necessity to wait for a week.
can never marry Mr.. Dexter"
"My dear girl" persisted Mr.. Fletcher,
40 not make up your mind SO swiftly. No
doubt my blunt way of putting the matter
mas panied you. l can see you are agi.
love for you is disinterested; heknows You
but as e charming young. lady who is at
present occupying a position Unworthy Of
her. He knows nothing of you whatever
beyond that; judge then whether you are
treating him quite fairly in refusing to
men, nowadays, who are capable Of dis.
playing such disinterested earnestness and
devotion in seeking for a wife. He tells mo
he is even ignorant of the name of your
parents-does not that show he values you
for YOURSELF"
novto,r h 4 %v;oI 2uo. ~. A..
rupt his uncle, but in vain. However, he
now managed to interpose with:
"Really uncle, you appear to imagine
that
But he vas interrupted in his turn by
ibid Mr.. Dexter tell you he did not know
who my father wasp she asked.
Eyes" replied Mr.. Fletcher, land I ap.
plauded the delicacy of feeling he showed..0
II must tell you then that he did ask me,
and seemed very surprised to hear his
name. There seems to be some mystery
feed to turn Mr.. Dexter from a casual &C.
~Quaintance into an ardent admirer."
Dexter stood abashed; he did not attempt
to defend himself.
$50, sir" said his uncle, severely, sit
seems that YOU do know who this young
why I have said what I have, thinking I
should catch you in your own trap"
II thought you would be pleased If I
married her" pleaded Dexter.
'Don't say another word, sir. Leave us
now; come to my rooms this evening, I
shall have something to say to you then.0
Dexter walked away as carelessly as he
could.
"Come a little closer to me, my dear
child" said Mr.. Fletcher, in a tender tone,
as soon as his nephew wa out Of sight. 81
have some news for you. You must think
me a very strange old man-so I am, per-
haps. You think I have been very rude
and unkind, but it was for your sake. No
my neck and kiss me and call me grand
papa"
Amy looked at him in establishment for q
moment, and then glanced at Maitland.
His look reassured her; she flung her arms