Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-11-23
, SWEEPING ROBES
by ADA PENLEY.

BY ADA PENLEY.
you will marry me, Edna Sher-
cod. OF yourself and father shall be
rust from Brookdale."
Have mercy!"
The words dropped pleadingly. de-
uiringly from the cold lips Of the
ans companion.
Have mercy" Edward Falkland
Eiterated with harsh laugh, his black
TBS riveted upon the peerless lowell
pss before him. Did you show me
Grey when I lay my love at your
Eet?" he continued in low, passionate
bnes, Selling the girls hands, his hot
teath scorching her pale cheek. mo.
pu trod upon my love, coolly telling
e YOU loved another" The velyety
ansy eyes, fixed upon the distant cot
bn fields, filled with .scalding tears. Il
wore vengeance then, my beautiful,
ruggling dove" he went on, Kissing
You wove your silken spell around
e with your wondrous beauty and in
ocent, cooling ways; fool that I am, [
|ould risk my soul to call you mine.
for my handsome nephew, !" he said
etween his teeth, crushing the jew
Jed hands cruelty between his strong
myers, It'll kill him-yes, you, too
eiore / will allow him to win the only
Toman / ever loved from me-"
With smothered cry the girl sank
pom her knees among the blue-bells,
Ell dainty lace-trimmed robe lying in
BIT, Aeecy pillows around her, the
arm June sunlight resting upon the
ngs Of golden curls falling about her
houlders, the faint, sweet scent of
nnge-groves floating up from the
lustering trees in the vale below. To
be left stretched immense cotton
elds, looking in the distance like one
asst sheet of snow; birds twittered
ind chirped in emerald-clothed oaks
nl elms, and upon the warm summer
liz was borne the mournful requiem of
he ocean, as the white-frilled waves
kroke upon the pebbly shore beyond
be belt of woods.
ooh, be merciful!" she walled, rails
ng her eyes imploringly. IT cannot
be your wife, Mr.. Falkland, for as
Eou know, II love your nephew. We
we're engaged long before you returned
rom Europe; forgive me, I never
areamed you cared for mo-. Only be
patient, perhaps we may yet find the
receipt. Papa and 1 will search day
Pnd night; will you not wait few
weeks? Oh, Mr.. Falkland, you
know papa paid off the mortgage.
Why will you not give us another re-
eeipt? Don't-don't turn us from
dear Brookdale! The house where I
was born and mamma died"
The sobbing, girlish voice ceased,
and with a despairing glance at the
the girl struggled to her feet, leaning
like a broken lily against the gnarled
trunk Of huge elm.
you might as we'll try to soften yon-
der stone cliff by touch from your
pretty white hands as to plead to me
for mercy. Hear me once for all, Ed
ma" he went on, his cold, merciless
tones falling upon the fower-scented
air like the hiss OF a serpent. IF you
do not marry me, will foreclose the
mortgage, and your father and self shall
90 forth homeless. nay, beggars, for
Brookdale is mortgaged for more than
its value. I also have, as you are aware,
lien upon your fathers remaining
property. Now listen, my pretty one"
Bending nearer the shrinking girl he
continued rapidly: "Your father did
pay the mortgage. A month ago to-
day he handed me the money in my
library. Some time after his departure
found the receipt 1 had given Mr..
Sherwood lying in the hall, where he
Undoubtedly dropped it as he passed
out. Then it was that 1 thought OF
the scheme by which I might win you,
whom secretly worshiped for months.
will keep my promise and hand you
the paper the moment we are pro-
bounced man and wife.
"Villain!" she cried, with blazing
eyes, II will expose you"
What will your simple word weigh
against mine, the richest landowner
IN the country 2" he sneered. you are
to be present tonight at the ball l
give in your honor. If you wear crush
o onfSAA AOOh upOA ~ w. 49,
ance of my suit. If not, expect no
mercy from your humble servant.
With a hooking bow, the speaker
swung around and threaded his way
among the dense trees. The girl stood
like beautiful piece of snowy statu-
ary. the sound Of his receding foot
steps crashing upon the underbrush'
StrlSinfr 1,1111y IN bor oar
!. "Oh, God! is there no escape from
the network that villain has woven
around poor papa and me?" she PAM,
ed. Must I sacrifice my more tnan
nle: or else see papa turned adrlit up.
dry Sob
n, "Hist!" rang out lowly, cautiously.
The fragrant. Towering bushes were
pushed aside by slim, brown hand,
and graceful figure, clothed in some
soundless material, glided ont. :,