Turner County herald. (Hurley, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1884-01-17

prose for q husband. He is good and
KIND, as we'll as very rich. I"
Rich IN what, father?"
The old man started at these words
but at length answered:
In honor and manhood" Mary said
no more. The crisis is now upon
me, continued Mr.. Meredith. aIn a
few short hours / shall be overwhelmed
with misery if you do not rescue
me. MIR. Ambrose has asked me for
your hand. He has seen Won many
times and loves you."
And Mr.. Ambrose makes nv hand
the price of your safety?"
No, he has not said SO; but he is
aware of my situation, and asks the
hand of my child. 1t seems to me as if
GOD had kept you free to save your
father from ruin. What answer am I
to return to MIR. Ambrose p
My heart was broken long ago. {"
Mary answered, looking into her fathers
face. 81 will marry this man for yonr
sake, but he must not expect affection,
for | have none to give. Tell him this
that he may not be deceived"
will bring him here tomorrow
evening, Tor he's anxious that the inter-
view shall be over"
Mr.. Meredith was relieved; the fear
OF disgrace was removed from him, and
he rejoiced in the prospect of prosper
GUS marriage for his daughter.
On the following evening Mary again
sat by the drawing g.room fire. She was
alone now and calm, and her face was as
pale as Parian marble. The outer door
opened and she heard the sound Of
heavy footsteps in the hall. Once more
the image of Felix rose before her; a
cold shiver passed over her and unbid
den tears trembled in her eyes, but by
great effort she subdued her agitation
before her father and the man about to
buy her with his gold entered the draw
lng-room. Mary arose and extended
her hand; it was cold as ice, bnt did
not tremble. She glanced at MIR. Am
prose and saw a man of medium height
with brilliant dark eyes; neatly trim.
med beard concealed the lower part of
his visage. He greeted her politely and
took seat. A short time was spent in
conversation, but gradually q silence
fell upon them which was becoming op-
pressiye when the visitor broke the
spell.
Miss Meredith" he said in soft,
low tone, "you are of course aware of
the object of my visit here? Pardon
me if 1speak plainly"
Mary looked up, but made no reply.
MIR. Ambrose's voice was so kind and
gentle that she thought he deserved a
wife who could love him.
Your father has told me you have
no love to give me. I, too, once thought
l should never love again, but the sight
OF you has dispelled the illusion. Let
me tell you my story. Long years ago
I loved a beautiful young girl, and she
returned my affection. was young
then, and did not dream that fate could
crush out my souls dearest hope. That
fair girl was my oil, my very life, and
had not thought of the future separat-
ed from her. Her father was o wealthy
merchant and / his poor clerk. When
told him loved his daughter he spurn-
ed me from his door and ordered me
never to enter it again. Oh, who beside
myself can ever know the utter mid
night of my blasted hopes Crushed
|Aand broken / fled in my despair. Inthe
whirl and excitement Of business /
strove to forget my sorrows. Fortune
singled me out as her especial favo1ite.
My widest speculations were successful
and money accumulated as if by magic.
Thus eleven years passed. returned
to the scene of my unhappiness and saw
you. Need / say that all the old love
surged up in my heart again? Once
more asked the old merchant for his
daughter" the speakers lips trembled;
he extended his arms as he continued
"and he consents at last. 1Ob, Mary !
| will you now be mine?"
Mary cast herself into her suitor's
outstretched arms. After all these
years of misery Felix was restored to
herl
"Felix Trafford!' gasped the old man
as hs started to his feet. Felix Traf-
ford, my old clerk!''
I" Yes, sir; the same. Do you retract
your promise ?"
"No, Felix, no. Take my Mary and
forgive her father"
The happy suitor led Mary away to q
seat and sat beside her with his arm still
encircling her, as if he feared he might
lose her again.
"Let u.s." he said, forget all the
past but its joys and look to the future
for what true love can give us. I am
now content, and you, my Merry, are
you happy in the restoration OF your
llover?'
"Ah!' she replied in a voice full Of
deep emotion, "happiness is too poor g
word toIexpress my great Joy !"-Phila.
deipliia Gail. II