The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1889-11-15

to be the best man breathing, aud died,
leaving me and all ] possessed under his
sole control. he came directly after her
death and took his post as head Of the
house, and treated me with marked kind
ness. Everything promised that he would
be a model guardian; but from the first I
shrank from his too tender manner-all my
instinct was against him.
81 begged him to allow me to return to
my old school, till l came Of age, but he
would not hear of 1t, neither would he al
low me a companion of my own age. In
stead, he brought his sister to rule In my
mothers place-a prim severe woman, ten
years his senior.
by degrees, all the old servants were
sent away, till l stood alone, a martyr to
their power. ! dared hardly call my soul
my own. But worse thar Margaret Middle
toms severity was her brothers too evident
| partially. He haunted me. / never knew
a peaceful moment.
AT last the crisis came. He asked me to
marry him, declaring it was my mothers
wish, and when I gave him a decided refu-
sal, said IL he could not force my love, he
could make me marry him, if only to save
my honor, and swore, with an awful oath,
to make INT humble by outraging my inno-
cence.
II had no one to whom I could appeal, he
had me cut of from all ties; l~Sas entirely
in his power; and one night l fancied I tast.
ed something strange intie wine at dinner.
and was seized by a dreadful d%rowsincss
that took away vital power.
II had sense enough left to know he had
drugged me, and made some excuse to get
to my room. There / drank enough warm
water to act as an emetic; then while he
thought me sleeping the deep sleep of in.
sensibility, l managed, by dropping from q
low window to got away, just as I was, with
only a cloak to cover my e~vening-iress.
u felt 1t was useless to appeal against his
authority, he being supposed to live a saint
like life, and l, by report, giving his saint
ship much trouble. Two years seemed such
a long time, yet l could have been patient
even with him If it had not been for his in
cessant love-making and constant presence.
II was mad from life's history when l
fled from my miserable home, and tramped
to Cardiff from Penarth. You do not know
what that man made me suffer, or what a
cruel torment his love was. would rather
heE for bread from door to door than return
to him.
"He has a will of iron, and Is determined
w AA"iiy LC ny INK IltdIS OF lOUl. lie
wants my money, I believe. He would have
married poor mamma if she would have had
him; perhaps that is why she thought so
well of him. l am absurd!y afraid of him.
l would rather die than feel myself in his
power again.
II might be discovered at any moment
and forced to return. You see he has the
law OH his side, and no one would believe
my word against his. live in dread of be-
Ing found by him. What can l do, Pierce??"
Pierce looked gravely perplexed.
Only q husband could dispute Ills control
over You. We must hasten our marriage,
my queen. l will 60 to London and make
the preparations; you must follow with the
child You are not safe here a day, any
moment he may discover you.
II know Horace Middleton well, l have
had business dealings with him and liked
him immensely. Love for you must have
turned his brain, or lie never would have
proved such a bastard to you. There is not
a man more looked up to and respected in
all South Wales. Fancy you being John
Covers only c,!ild! l si!ould not have con.
ncctcd you with the notica in the papsx,
but for the de ctiption of the jewels you
wore-that quaint cross and this ring.
He took her hand and locked at the heavy
ring she wore with its masonic emblem.
The ring was the dear dads, he always
wore it, and since my mothers death l have
never taken it off"
Pie!ca stopped down and kissed the little
hand fondly, looking very grave. He was
n man Of fair fortune, and good birth and
c1nAtcsions, bat it was one thing to marry
a p:nniless girl without home or friends,
and another Thing to marry the heiress OF
Castle Cover. \
The Cover collieries were Of great value.
there was property besides; and she seemed
such a child; she had never been allowed to
see the world and make a choice for herself.
1t seemed taking an ungenerous advant.
age of her love and faith to bind her to him,
she might regret it.
He told her all this sensibly and clearly,
but in answer to all objections she laid her
pretty face against his arm, and looking up
with beautiful eyes she said.
II love you, Pierce. and perfect love cas-
tetl out fer. | would rather be your wife
than crowned Queen of England"
But suppose You should see someone you
cou Il love better, my beautiful darling,
would you not blame me for rushing YOU
into marriage when all the advantage
comes TO me!'
You don't believe in nv love, Pierce.
Indeed l do not think your love perfect if
you cou d SO co0lly resign me-"
"Coollr resign you! o., Dorothy, how
you mi,jadge me! only try to see what is
best for you. You are such a child, a man
would be a scoundrel to allow his W
WISHES TO influence your lie. Oh, my dear,
my dear, it is the greatness of my owe that
makes me able to look only to your side of
the bargain; You have all to lose, l all to
gain"
If you won't marry me, at least you
won't send me back, PIERCE"
God forbid, cliidl How can you ask
me? Are you sure you do not want to be
married Just to get away from bondage?"
ID rot iy's eyes filled wi h tears.
'Oh, you are cruel. P!erceI What cans
do or say to convince yen of my love?"
II am cruel to b. kind, Dora darling.
True love is unselish. / know what it is to
wake up, too late, to the knowledge of hay.
ing ruined ones life by one mad act"
"ion acre not happy with your wife,
Pierce?' :,
"uappy! Oh, Heaven knows I was rot.
cannot talk OF it 10 you, darling; thank,
God You could not understand such unhap.
piness as l snff red, or conceive snch a
wrong as l endured, possible. Don't talk of
that, my precious, it upsets me-"
What do you intend to Go with me,
Pierce"
"LJvo You and stand between you and
evil. will go to town tomorrow and con.
suit my lawyer. You arc under age. / do
no. know that marriage would be legal un-'
DIR these circumstances. / suppose it would
rot be possible to persuade your guardian
to consent to our union?'
Indeed to goodness no! You don't know
the man; he is madly .alous, and l believe
he loves me rs well as he knows how to
love. Besides, there is so much property
to be gained; he is ambitious, wants a seat
In the House of Commons. and hopes 10
gaiu the height of his ambition with my
money"
who was your fathers lawyer"
"Mr. Silas S.lf, of Staples Inn"
"Have yot' rns , ~ N him?"
(To be continued.
In cities and villages the kitchen and
cooking stove and the hired girl are tc
be banished from the home. Clothes
making, soapmaking, starchmaking,
laundry work, coffec-hrowning, yeast
-.