Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-01-04

Master Roland was a young, fair
halfed BOY then, as much like his moth
er IN looks as two peas-you can see
their portraits side by side in the old
gallery stairs-but he was as unlike her
III heart as if he had been a gypsy. He
made a plaything of Miss Agnes, and
when n learned to toddlc about he
had rare games here at the hall with
her; He could not live out of her sight,
ana their merry voices rang through
the Old rooms, and master smiled as he
heard them.
one day when the post came there
was a terrible letter. Standing on the
u Just facing me, master read it and I
v see such a look as flashed over
nm, even to the roots of his coal-black
halr; He crumpled it up and flung it
IN the fire, and sank in a chair, sob
bing.
10 think that my brother Horace
should have been guilty of u great crime
N this; and Agnes is. after all, my
w flesh and blood-his daughter
and he had the face to write me on his
death-bed, begging my pity and forgive
ness. l wish he could know the hate
and scorn l feel for him now"
After this, Master Rowland was sent
to school away off, and a young gov
erness come for Miss Agnes. She had
growed into such a lovely creature that
l used 70 tremble with delight when she
entered the room. She wore soft, dove
colored merinos in winter, with bright
ribbons at her neck, and dainty mus
Inns in the summer, with jesamincs and
roses in her yellow curls. She had
growed into masters heart to that ex-
tent as l never see anything like it. He
filled the house with young company to
please her, and put up a grand piano in
the MUSHROOM, but he always made
some excuse to have her get away from
the guests and be with him, and she
seemed never so happy as when making
his tea or reading to him.
There were scores of handsome young
men came to the Burs to court Agnes,
but this agitated master SO that she dis
missed them one by one. He could not
deprive her of all associates, and so he
invited down all the pretty girls he
could get here. She was the best of
them all, to my thinking, although
some of them were just like portraits,
with their lowered silk gowns and
peachy cheeks. There was one as
beautiful as an angel, but there was
mischief in her raven black hair and
swapping eyes. She was spending the
summer st the Burs when Master Ro-
land came down from the city. She
took a dead set at him right off, and I
could see Miss Agnes wilt a little under
it, like a white rose in the hot sun. She
was as sweet as ever, but she had black
circles under her eyes, and took long
walks under the fir trees by herself.
Master Roland would run out after her,
and presently they would come in as
bright as cherubs, and chen all three
would go into the MUSHROOM and sing
like angels. They We're in here atlunch-
con one day, and master sent for Miss
Agnes to come to the library to get a
fayorite book for him.
Master Roland made a spring from
his chair and caught Miss Dorset
around the neck and kissed her passion
ately on the lips. She pretended to
push him off, but she melted in a mo-
ment.
ooh. Valentine, my love-for you
are my love-give me one word Of kind
ness. Tell me to live-for without it I
shall die!'
'Nonsense. Go to her-tnat pale
faced saint. 1t is she you love-I know
very WE'LL"
''What is she compared to you, my
queen, my idol! She is a baby. Some
times l hate myself that l had not the
courage to speak out plainly, but I am
dependent yet on my father, and dare
not"
"And do you love me, Roland-bet-
ter than anything on earth?"
She sat with II foot on a hassock.
her flame-colored satin dress sweeping
in heavy folds around her snow-white.
arms cleaning under their open sleeves
like parian marble. She was a TEMPT
ress, a devil, and apower over men like
sirens have.
IL swear, Valentine, I do love YOU
and you alone. would murder any one
who came between me and my hearts
desire. 1t is q dangerous thing to win
my love; do not tamper with it lightly:
you have made me your slave, but I
could be a terrible master"
"Pshaw! All men are terrible mas
tiers when husbands, as they are merely
wax when lovers. / am used to such
protestations."
"Then you calmly provoke me; you
are playing with me, Valentine"
He stood over her, a baleful light in
his dark eyes, like the metallic glitter
of a serpent's when looking at its prey.
"Stupid boy! Sit down, l don't like
scencs;you bore me frightfully with your
vehemence. came to Edg eworth to
be amused, not terrified or wearied;
hush, you are making yourself hideous,
Aunt Agnes is returning"
"Beware of me, Valentine. 1 am
not the man to jest upon some subjects;
you will learn that to your cost"
"And [ am not the woman to be sub
dued by threats; you will learn that to
your discontinue. Oh, here you are,
darling. Roland has proposed a drive
to the old Glen; youwill go, Of course?:"
Miss Agnes looked at Rolanu's knit
ted brows with astonishment, but de-
clincd to 90, at which his face cleared
again. She did not see this as she was
busy with her luncheon. This was q