Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1891-02-14

frozen limbs, like naked bones, rattle
together.
Some rocks, which crown an emin-
ence, assume the shapes of towers,
miaarets, gateways and massive walls
the whole esembling ruined castle,
ard known throughout the country as
Castle Rocks"
Seated on a messy rock. in the shadow
of one of the natural walls, are two per-
sons, young and we'll favored. and of
opposite sex.
He is speaking in a soft, pleading
voice, she listening with half-averted
face, the beauty of which is heightened
by pink, fower-like, tell-tale blush,
that mounts to the roots of her golden
bair.
"Lena," says the young man, in i'm
FASHIONED tones, holding her little white
hand in a strong, yet tender clasp.
LENA, do not turn away from me, but
tell the truth, whatever it may bel
cannot bear the suspense. Do you love
me?"
The girl makes no reply; but tries to
withdraw her trembling hand, bending
her tender, blue eyes upon the ground,
afraid to speak, afraid to meet his eager,
imploring gaze.
Speak to me, Lena" cries Clarence
Bertrsm. "A word from your lips will
make me either the happiest or the
most miserable man. You would
not be cruel willingly, / am sure, but
you are acting cruelty, dearest, in keep
ing silent, when my whole happiness
and peace of mind are weighed in the
balance"
Clarence" says the young girl,
speaking in low, sweet voice, "Clar-
ence, you know it is wrong to speak
these words of love to me, and wrong
of US both to indulge in these stolen
meetings; we must never meet again in
secret.
Never" cries the young man, pas
sionately. "Unsay those words. Lena.
"My father has forbidden me to
speak to you, and l must obey him,
Clarence"
IF you obey him you will marry
Manfred Lowth, by whose falsehood
and treachery 1 was driven out of my
uncle's house. would sooner see you
dead at my feet than married to that
hypocrite.
MARRY Manfred Lowth!-I could
never do that Clarence. Marry the
man who poisoned my fathers mind
against his nephew"
Thank heaven!" says Clarence,
breathing more freely, L believe that
If you consented to be his wife should
kill him; it is almost impossible to re-
alize how nv Uncle Hiram can wish you
TO marry such "a"
Hush" says Lena, laying her hand
on his shoulder, and drawing him fur
Their back into the shadow of the nat
ural wall, "Some one is coming"
A solitary figure of woman, dressed
In black, comes stealthily along the
foot-path that leads up the eminence,
and makes its way toward the beetling
crag which overlooks yawning chasm,
q short distinee from where the lovers
are seated.
The figure has scarcely reached the
crao. when the figure of man steals up
the eminence, by the same path, and
takes a position behind a bowlder,
where 8 view can be had of the beet
ling crag.
The first conner, unaware that she is
watched, seats herself en- q stone, her
back againsta stunted cedar, and ap-
pears to be waiting for some one. She
has not long to wait. Manfred Lowth
soon makes his appearance.
Here before me" he says; "and 1
hope vou have come in sdifferent frame
Of mind to that in which you were last
night"
sYou are still determined to see Lena
Ellerly?"
%Yes."
Elizabeth, let me persuade You to
return to Baltimore. I will join you
soon, and you will have no reason to
complain of me"
will you promise to give up Lena
EIlerly?"
what" cried Manfred Lowth. ex-
citedly; @after I have risked to possess
Hiram Ellerly's riches7-forged bus