Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-07-27
CHAPTER V.
DISASTER.

what will Raymond think?-what
will Raymond say"
That was the burden of anxious Edna
Deane's heart, as the carriage that
conveyed her from her school life into
a new and unknown existence sped
across the country.
Opposite to her sat her grim compan-
ion, motionless, erect, forbidding. Re-
Spect without severity had attended his
every movement since leaving Hope
dale, but he persisted in that weird,
oppressive silence that chilled, almost
alarmed the warm, childish heal of
Edna.
She had comforted herself with the
resolve to write TO Marshall as soon as
she reached her new home, ind bad
then ventured to address her somber
companion.
Wont you please tell me something
about my father-the place | am going
tor she spoke in accents of tremulous
pleading.
The man hesitated. Then, with evil
dent reluctance, he said:
You are going to your father-the
father who loves you, who will make
your life one Of joy, wealth, and happi-
ness
But why all this mystery"
His brow clouded.
He will tell you. Believe me, 1T Is
for the best. He has been under a
cloud for years; his life has been nearly
wrecked by the wickedness of others.
Go to him with a free, fearless heart,
willing to forget all the world save him,
and add something Of JOY to his last
days"
Edna chilled at the gruesome hint
that the words contained. Forget all
the world save her father? Did that
include Raymond?
What could the dark mystery be?
Her companions lips were sealed on
the theme after they had reached the
train. He provided her with every
comfort i'm the drawiEg-room section
secured for her, and left her to her
thoughts, telling her that they would
not leave the train until after Gay
light.
Then a swift spin across the country,
confused sleep, and morning struggling
I'm the embrace of a binding snow
storm. the cars passing through a bleak,
unfamiliar section.
Toward evening they alighted at q
little village. 1t was still showing, and,
leaving her In the cherries depot, her
companion went to the stores about
he place, returning with a frownins,
anxious face.
II am sorry he said, "but you can
stand a short walk in the Storm"
II am not afraid of the storm; l
rather enjoy it," responded Edna,
''cheerily. Are we near-home!"
"Yes: that is, we cross two miles TO
another railroad. Then a brief ride,
and your journey Is ended. i cannot
obtain a single vehicle to drive us over,
and the train is due in two hours
They started forth. Edna was brave
and disdainful of the snow at first, but
clogged footsteps, an occasional deep
drift and binding fakes soon made her
breath come quicker, and her compan-
ion was compelled to aid her with the
help of his arm.
They had got past the limits Of the
town now Edna s~huddered at the
cheerlessness Of the Notwithstanding
landscape.
"We have not got far to go now" en-
couraged her companion. This must
be the bridge we cross. Courage, my
child. Only half a mile more, and"
.'Oh. come back! come back! Look!
That sign!'
Edna. following in the footsteps of
her guide, who now went In advance to
clear 4 path for her more dainty feet,
had ncyiced the dashing torrent Of va
ter below the frail bridge spanning
II. and, alf-obliterated by the snow. a
rriieiy painted sign nailed to one Of the
bridge supports.
What is IT." spoke her guide, half