Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1891-01-15
FATAL FEUD.
A Tragic Tale OF Kentucky.
BY W. L. FRENCH.

y
"Here, Caesar, skip to the barn and
sadd Re Hero for me. If the old master
wants to know where 1 have gone, tell
him j galloped over to Highmore."
"Yep, Young Mars" Caesar tell i'm.
s He don't forgit what young Mars John
tells 'im." :.
"That's right, Caesar. I am glad to
see vou have good memory"
Right good one, Mars John" replied
the servant, as he started off in haste
toward the stables to obey his young
masters orders.
"Young Mars john" as the darby
called him, was, properly speaking,
John Hanley, son of Reginald Hanley,
owner of an immense plantation in the
State of Kentucky. John was an only
child, and would in the course of time
be the rightful owner of all the Hanley
estates.
His father, Reginald Hanley, was a
stern. unbending old man of go years.
Hard-headed, obstinate, and inclined to
be unforgivipr in youth, added years
had only Incl eased these undesirable
qualities in his person. In spite of
and ever ready to aid the needy.
John resembled his father in every
thing except his unforgiving disposition.
In this respect he was like his mother,
who had been one of the mildest of wo-
men. But once thoroughly reused John
and he would be dangerous foe.
just now there was difference of
opinion and a consequent GOODNESS
-betWeen father and son that might vet
lead to serious results. It was all about
sweet young maiden of nineteen sum-
mers named Mabel Rogers, aud, as
usual, it was O case of love and opposi-
ton.
Between Reginald Hanley and Frank
Rogers, Mabel's father, there was fierce,
undying feud that dated back to colonial
times. Several members of each fac
ton had fallen in maintaining what they
be ieved to be the honor of their fam
lilies. But there had been truce now
in the iued for over score of years.
There was only tnese two families left
to maintain it, and they had let it rest,
though their hate was none the less
bitter for doing SO.
John and Mabel grew up without any
Mabel had cousin named Tom Haw-
ley, who had been raised from infancy
in her fathers family. He was bitter
hater of the Hanley's and nothing but
Johns tact had thus far avoided COL
ision between them.
John and Mabel became acquainted
at the house of mutual friend, where
they had accidentally met. 1t did not
take them long to find out that each
loved the other, and, though they knew
the opposition they would encounter,
they became engaged some three
months prior to the time this story
opens.
By some means Reginald Hanley
learned that his son was paying clan
destine court to Mabel Rogers, and his
rage knew no bounds, He called his
son into his presence and, after telling
him what he had heard, upbraided him
with having disgraced his family's honor
by allowing himself to become intimate
with the low-born daughter of Rogers.
OF course John resented such han
guage in connection with his betrothed,
and he repliedhotly. Angry words were
used by both and it finally terminated
by the old man giving John his choice Of
giving up the girl Or being disinherited.
OF course John choose the latter and
this only incensed his father more,
and he declared the instant they were
wed he would make new will and
leave all his wealth to charitable
purposes. But John was young and
full of hope and pluck, and this did not
pdiscourage him in the least. And then
he did not really believe his father
would go to such an extreme as to dis
inherit him, even if he did wed Mabel.
So they separated, each one bent on
doing exactly as he had declared he
would during The interview.
Caesar, the black body-servant Of
John, had carried notes for him to the
Rogers home >tead and there delivered
them to Mabel's maid, whom Caesar
greatly admired, and she in turn would
deliver them to her mistress and return
with her answers to where Caesar
awaited her coming. BY means of these
notes it had been arranged that they
should meet at certain SPOT on the
stage road and flee north across the
course they knew they would be per-
sued, but they had title fear of being
overtaken with the start they hoped to
obtain.
In few moments after Casar's dis
appearance he reappeared with the
horse. and, bidding his faithful attend
ant good bye, John swung into the sad
die and was off. Half an hours gailop
brought him to the appointed place OF
meeting, but Mabel was not yet there.
SO he reined in his horse in the shade OF
an old oak tree and. springipg from the
saddle, sat down at its messy base. !
While awaiting her coming, he fell
into sweet revery of love, and did not
note the lapse Of time nor the reproach
of any one till his betrothed's voice
rang in his ears in friendly greeting.
Your thoughts must be very pleas
ant, John, when they engross your at
3. tention so closely"
John started suddenly to his feet and
fastened TO the side Of his betrothed.
Indeed they we're, love; was think.
ing Of you; nothing else can engage
my thoughts so fully and make them SO
sweet and pure, and he drew her head
down to his and their lips met in ar
affectionate kiss.
II was late, my love. she said. =
thought i could never slip away unseen