Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-11-15
over the matter. and whom at last he fell

over the matter. and whom at last he fell
asleep it was with the determination to un.
rayel the mystery at any cost.
Alter breakfast he drew Lois aside. and
asked if he could see her alone in the libra
~. She answered in the affirmative, look
ing little surprised at so strange q re-
quest. and led the way to the room at once.
Arthur closed the door and motfoned to
her to take q seat on the sofa. She did so,
zled how best to begin his task. The light
fell full on her face. He could see every
change in its expression, which was exact
ly what he desired.
Miss Lois" Arthur began. Il have not
on earth is Cyril Hartwell."
Every particle Of color forsook her face. a
nervous trembling seized her. and she nut
out her hand imploringly toward him.
DO not speak OF him." she said. in low,
and it is useless. What said three years
ago must say now"
But have something to tell you-some-
thing you must hear" said Arthur.
1T can mako no difference in-in any,
thing" she said. still in the same low, hest
tating voice.
Il must insist. however. that you listen
to what have to tell you. Miss Drayton,
assure you that you will not regret having
done So. Idid not know until just before
s'iAO NOMu 1OIO Wudt IL WAS uuuG Q0O SO
saddoned Cyril Hartwelrs life. 1 have
known him only little more than two
years. and he is not one to carry his heart
on his sleeve. But he told me the story of
his acquaintance with you the night before
lett town; but he could not tell me why It
was that. you refused to marry him the
very day before the one set for the we'd
ding" "o>.-
Il have never told any one that. never
snail. It is useless to ask me to do SO. /
would die sooner"
will you not let me tell him?" asked
Arthur. will you not let me explain to
him that 1t was through the machinations
OF an artful woman that he was robbed Of
his bride. and that you were cruelty
cheated! Miss Lois. did you not know
make you doubt"
Lois started up. her eyes glittering, a
deathly pallor On her lovely face.
Rose! Was it Rose?" she cried. Il
never knew that never even suspected 1t,
Mr.. Hazard. how did you discover this?
For heavens sake, tell me! Do not keep
me In suspense!"
She sank back. trembling. on the sofa,
peal.
For moment Arthur was silent. Ha
scarcely knew how to proceed.
Did you never suspect. then. that your
cousin Henry was attached to this girl. and
that it was through his influence that YOU
were made SO wretched?" he asked at
Henry attached to Rosel" said Lois.
slowly. why. Henry"
She paused. blushing painfully.
henry has repeatedly assured you Of his
attachment to yourself. you would say"
yes. He has long desired to marry ne,
Hartwell."
And yet. three years ago. he promised to
marry Rose Ellis. She has returned home
now, determined to make him fulfil that
time with the excuse that he was poor, and
has told her that at your death he would
inherit your money, and could then marry
her. He tells her that you cannot live long,
but that if he married her now you would
not leave him a penny, and that she must
therefore have patience"
Lois pale cheeks had flushed. There
was an angry sparkle in the soft. dark ewes
raised to Arthur's face.
How u have you learned all this. Mr..
will you not tell me first how Rose
Ellis managed to deceive your"
If only dared!" murmured the poor
girl, signing, 4 have kept silent SO long
that now
For your own sake-for Cyril's"
She did not speak for a moment. Her
face was hidden in her hands, and nerv-
GUS tremor shook her from head to foot.
1T must have been from some powerful
motive that you have kept silent SO long"
1T was for his sake, for his alone" she
think of myself at all. But. oh, could
not have his blood upon my hands. Mr..
Hazard. you will think me foolish. even
worse than that. fear; but was always a
before I was to be married, went with old
Mrs. Kinds to see sick child. to whom I
was much attached. It was dusk before I
started for home. and took path through
the wood. which was shorter than going
around by the road. All at once a heavy
cloak was thrown over my head. and was
forced to my knees. Then the cloak was
torn aside, and looking up I saw Il woman
standing over me. Her face was concealed
by hideous black mask. and did not
loved Cyril. and had sworn to kill him
sooner than see any other woman than her
self become his wife. She said that ii I
dared marry him she would shoot him
through the heart within an hour after the
ceremony. She swore this, calling on
was her manner that did not doubt for an
instant that she would carry out her threat
il fulfilled my engagement to Cyril. had
heard frequently of just such desperate
d 3eeas oy On jealous k ana
promised her that would give Cyril up.
and would refuse any explanation OF the
act. She told me that if married him his
blood would be upon my head. This was
my reason for breaking my engagement.
and dared not see Cyril for fear he would
wiring my secret from me. and then per-
suade me there was no danger, and insist
on running the risk. My love for Cyril gave
me courage to shield him from danger atno
matter what cost to myself. If married
him it was at the risk OF his life. I could
| not thus put it in jeopardy"
How cruelty you have sutfered!" said
Arthur. And then he told her OF the con-
versation he had overheard the night
before.
Your COUSINS motive in preventing your
marriage is very plain" he said. in con-
clusion. "He hoped to win you for him
self, while he led Rose to believe that it
was simply that he might come into pos
session Of your money in case you died I'M
married"
Il would not have believed Henry so base.
so cruell" said Lois
Suppose we send for Rose and ask
her few plain questions?" suggested Ar
| thur.
do just what you think right. said Lois;
| Il do not fear her now"
| A servant was dispatched to the cottage
| at once. and soon returned accompanied
| by Rose. who had not imagined for mo-
ment the real reason why her presence was
| desired.
She had thought Mrs. Andrews wanted
| to send some special message to her grand
| mother which could not be intrusted to a
oorvupt and whau Sha waa nSharal into