The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1892-06-10

back at once"
1t isn't too late yet Alma. | have
wealth OF my own, being one Of thu
largest shareholders in The Alpla.
one OF the richest silver mines IL
Nevada. ! will redeem your fathap
from debt, and make you my wife. in
stead Of my stepmother."
But think OF your fathers feel
inga"
Think of our own. darling If we
are condemned to separate"
MY fathers sense of honor would
not permit me to re ect tho Judge now.
Forget me. Joe"
In vain he Dreaded. Alma Herrick
remained firm in her decision TO keep
her promise with the judge. At last
Joe walked away in anger lie felt
The impulse to return to Nevada ut
once, but there was a spirit ia him
urging him to 60 on to the old home.
He could not resist it. He found
James at the stable. and from him
learned that his father was not at
home.
He's in town. fixing up some legal
affairs. Mr.. joe" explained James.
''He will stay there all night. then
bring your Aunt Dolly. who's coming
on the train. out to the wedding. My!
he'll be surprised to see you here, so
big and handsome"
Joe Carpenter went up to the old
home from which he had been a stran.
ger so long. He wandered about
from room to room. and at last paused
on the threshold of his fathers bed
chamber.
But suddenly the Judges nuptial
outfit had suggested a new thought to
Joe, and his eyes twinkled mischiev.
ously, as he got a sheet of note paper
and dashed of the following lines:
DEAR DADDY: I'm back to the old home.
rick, the only girl I ever Lowell, and I pro-
pose to forestall you. l shall win her, do
not doubt. Now, Daddy, behave like q
sensible parent. Don't rave, but turn
about and marry Aunt Dolly as you ought
Your SPOILED JOE.
Z Amos Herrick was quite astonished
to see Judge Carpenter dash up in o
carriage an honr before he was ex-
pected to arrive.
urgent business compels me to
alter my plans somewhat" he said, in
q strangely unnatural voice. without
alighting. iii have the ceremony
performed at the Squirrels Please tell
Alma to get ready as quickly as posi-.
ble."
Mr.. Herrick hurried off to acquaint
his daughter with the judges change
Of plans. He soon returned leading
Alma. pale but lovely. attired in a
plain but most becoming costume. She
was assisted into the carriage by her
father and they rode away toward
Squire Laonard's place, four miles dis.
tant.
alma" suddenly spoke the map
by her side, taking her hand.
"What Joe! What does it meanr"
cried the startled girl.
1T simply means darling. that \
am personating the judge this morn.
ing to prevent you from committing
the ahsurdity OF becoming by step.
mother. l knew I could not entice
you away from your father in my own
%personation, SO l assumed the judges
new wig and wedding garments to &C
complish my purpose"
They had scarcely entered Squire
Leonard's house, when another car
rage drove up and stopped. 1t was
followed by Amos Herrick on horse
back. With an amused smile, Joe
Carpenter, who had stationed himself
at q window, watched his father as
sist a we'll preserved little woman to
alight. The next moment the prodi-
gal was being wept over by gentle
Aunt Dolly. while the Judge said:
"Ah, you rascal! you are up to your
old pranks, I see; but the Joy Of hav-
ing you back atones for all"
DO I understand that you approve
of his deception of yourself. Alma,
and me?" demanded Herrick.
There! cool of, Amos! Just one
of the boys pranks, that's all. Of
course I approve OF his spunk in run
ming off with Alma Here. Squire;
kindly tie these young folks for life,
then perform the same service fol-
Miss Dolly and myself"
Hadn't you better have on your
new wig? l let it under the car
riage seat" said Joe to- his iather.-
National Tribune.