Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1885-10-01
AT THE ALTAR.

~''0N0iictf Are Won
inaeSsa' oetrothed; going to marry an.
other tomorrow
Constance Ashley was white - ~.
hps and trembling like a reed. sbe
loved the man before her with : low
hat made her chafe madlv a,a;nst
the morrow's sacrifice. Was \ anr.
thing less2 She was giving a coldbond
and colder heart to the man 49,.
money had saved her father fron
bankruptcy.
One year before she had been 50 hon.
py' Tor Charles Vincent, her fathers
book keeper, bad taught her to love
HIM with the best love of her Young
heart.
Then a position had been offered
HIM IN a distant city that promised
rapid advancement, and he had ac-
cepted, leaving Constance free sovs
Tor the bonds of loving faith he Mac.
ed about her in the hour of their
parting.
u Will work very hard" he said.
when holding her hand in their gool.
bye, 1T may be years before | can
come to you as could wish to- but 7
may carry with me the memory Of
your dearface; the touch OF your hand;
the precious hours have spent with
you; and ! will be made stronger bv
thethought that lam not forgotten by
you,
Forgotten" Constance repeatad
lookinsup through tears that ga ,hered
thickly in her glorious ewes. "Seyer
forgotten; but thought of IN every hour
every moment--with hopes for your
welfare and prayers for your safety.
When you return, Charlie, YOU will
find that time cannot change mel"
Thank you, dearest, " he whispered
bending TO touch his lips to her white
hand, leave you without fear.
And that was but one year before
the embarrassment, the threatened
failure, that had driven her father al.
most wild with fear, and ended, almost
without her realizing what she was do.
ing, IN the promise of her hand TO one
whose generosity had placed the firm OF
| Ashley & Ashley beyond danger.
She had not forgotten, had not been
untrue; but a web had been woven
about her from which she could not
Tree herself; and tomorrow she would
become the bride OF Earnest Riviere.
Rumor had brought the information
10 Charlie that Constance was promis.
ed to another--about to become a
I bride; and he had left his post oflabol
to satisfy himself OF the truth of tn,
report.
The servant had said he could not
see Miss Ashley.
TEL her am very old friend.
will only detain Miss Ashley a mo-
fient, but | particularly wish to see
\ her"
And, not knowing who awaited hel
Constance had descended to the parlol
to meet his cold, half-scornful eye:
and turn white as corpse at thesight
Of his handsome face and wealth O
/ accusation.
at is true" she said, answering hi,
question simply.
"fhen have trusted you in vain,
he cried, his eyes taking a look 70 deeI
suffering; II have worked and hoped
/ and built my fond foolish castles Will,
! you were forgetting me in the new low,
| you we're winning"
Charlie, you are very cruel" Con
4 stance said in low, broken tones; "yol
i do not know--how can you? You die
not see my father as did, on the very
verge OF despair,giyen life and hope b!
the man who was his friend; you d,
I not know how anonymously that fSent
claimed, as reward for his kindness
the reluctant hand OF my father
daughter Spare me a single reproaoh
l ana sad, very sad-hearted, Charlie
now go; | wish--ah, heavenl how
wish--you had not GOMEZ"
And she wrung her white hands il
agony; as the young manmade move
| ment toward her hewas checked byt tn
opening door, and Constnaces fathe
entered, bent and white.haired
"Glad TO see you, my boy, he said
holding out n cordial hand. ''Youar
going to remain for the wedding, O
course? Nonsense?" as Charlie nut
tered some word of apology; "you
must. Why, it's only a day of, AM
my daughter will carry off the season
| prize"
I rrt 49,, ,,.r,,,, =, H. ;, 90 ,,,;tl