Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1891-02-05
"Allow me 20 assist Won ?"

mustache and lustrous brown eyes. His
| smile at once cast spell on Alice-the
spell of first love and she was power
less to resist him. With his assistance
she arose,
Pretty Alice was tall, with grace in
every move that was simply enhancing.
She was dark, with lips and eyes be-
wildering in their brilIiancy and soft
ness. She was as innocent as babe,
and as ignorant of the ways of the
world; she only knew that she should
obey the rules of the school.
After the young man had assisted her
to her feet, yielding to his earnest en-
treaty, she permitted him to purchase o
second box of candy. and then allowed
him to draw her arm within his and es-
cort her to the seminary.
They tarried by the way as familiar
acquaintance; his manner was so conr-
teous she did not recognize the action
as q liberty. He questioned her, and
she freely gave all the desired informa-
ton about herself. He said that his
name was John Barton, and that was
all she knew of him. When they
reached the seminary gate he gave her
the candy, and exacted promise that
she should meet him at that place about
twilight the next evening
Poor Alicel No wonder she seemed
sly and reticent and complained Of not
feeling well; from that hour she was
changed. Youth and beauty and love
belong to each other by sort of divine
right. That this vile man should exer-
else the force Of these powers upon q
beautiful girl at first meeting shows
how priceless treasure is parents
watchful care and deathless love.
At the appointed hour Alice slipped
cautiously away. She had taken
the key from its place, and night after
night found her at the entrance gate.
None knew of her love affair; none were
fortunate enough to discover them.
Finally he urged her to marry him.
She should get beyond the gate, and
meet him at twilight along the wooded
bank of the river. With glowing words
he said: I'VE will hasten and fly from
this place and the dragons that guard
you. We will HE to the nearest station,
take the train to Halifax, get married
at once, aud then take trip to your
fathers home. After that we will re-
pair to the nest I have fitted for nv
lady bird" He had pictured magnif-
cant palatial mansion.
Alice put great faith in his words.
She believed that her parents would
readily grant her pardon. Still, as
she started. her cheeks grew pale; in
stinctively she felt that the fate she
had rashly invited forboded evil. A
dark wave of dispondency rolled across
her spirit and troubled her mind.
AS the darkness fell around her, she
pictured familiar forms at home and at
school. How she wished that she had
never started; but it was too late-she
was without the gate, and found her
lover ready. He took her to the depot,
train was in waiting, she saw him buy
the tickets, and silently followed to q
seat beside him in the car.
On, on they speed. At first she felt no
anxiety, but as they kept riding on she
expressed desire to know where they
were going. He evaded her questions
with spicious answers. Finally she
slept, her head resting upon his shout.
der.
rude noise, and the cars jolted with
terrific force. For moment all was
blank, then guest of wind seemed
to sweep down the aisle, and
the clashing noise and deafening sound
of escaping steam became clearly audi
BILE to the semi-conscious girl. With
quick cry Of fear she sprang to her feet.
Where was she? Where her COM
panion? Why were people grooming?
She moaned; some one lifted her up,
told her that there had been terrible
accident, and then carried her away.
As they passed her dead companion
she gave little shrek as she recog-
nized him. His fair, handsome face
was as white as snow-drift; little
stream of blood oozed from his temple.
Wildly she tried to grasp him, but
they bore her on.
There was town near by, and
houses were plenty, into one of which
she was led. The news spread like
wildfre, and people focked to the
scene of the accident.
After the excitement had somewhat
abated; Alice was questioned to
identify the unknown stranger.
Then it was that she found she was
forty miles from Halifax, and fifty from
the school. In the midst Of this,
pale dark eyed woman with two chill
dren recognized the body.
It was her husband; he had escaped
from Jail where he had been confined to
serve term for bigamy. Alice would
not believe it until she had seen his
wife, and then the dreadful truths
flashed upon her. Both had been In
equal danger.
HowAli had escaped with her life
no one knew. When she realized her
fortunate escape from death and union
that would have been worse, she
swooned.
Late the next day Alice felt able to
travel. She had been obliged to sub
NIT to the questions and curious gaze
of many strangers. Her story became
circulated, but none knew her, She
refused to go back to the seminary, SO
funds were raised to take her home.
Her parents were startled to see
her. She spoke Of being homesick
and told Of the accident, but nothing
more. Her father telegraphed to the
school; there Alice had recently ap-s
peared so changed that they were al
easily convinced that homesickness had
caused her flight.