The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1893-09-02
HER OWN RIVAL.

I spoke of the young lady who had
been my companion during a long stage
coach Journey in the far West, and
from whom I had just parted. I did
not exaggerate; I had given her my
| whole heart, and unless my vanity mis-
led me, she had not found me disagree
able. 10 be sure she had been very
reticent; she had listened to my con
tidences without making any return
for them.
I had told her that my name was
Richard Whitworth, and she had smiled
and bowed, as if introduced, but had
not told me her own name. I had told
her that 1 was going to See my grand
father, and supposed that she knew,
or at least, knew of, old Richard Whit
worth, who had been so fortunate in his
mining sp%eculations; at any rate, her
father would, and she only said:
"Ah, then you are named after him?'
1 told her it was awkward not to
know the name Of any n with whom
one was conversing, and she only
laughed.
However, this proved to me that she
was well brought up. Indeed, I should
have approved of such conduct in a SIS
ter.
Travelling alone in this wild country,
it would have been ridiculous to be-
have exactly as she would on an Or
binary journey. She needed our protec-
ton, in fact. But I thought she drew
the line beautifully in saying nothing
about herself or her connections to u
| stranger. And, as I said, if I remained
| with my grandfather as long as I sup
| posed I should, I would soon become &C.
| quainted with her in so small a place.
And so I simply did my best to be
agreeable for the rest of the journey.
The stage stopped at the hotel, that
those who were going farther on might
dine, and I saw my fellow passenger
step into a vehicle that seemed to be
waiting for her, and drive away. After
| this, as I did not wish to arrive at my
grandfather's in a state of starvation,
l took my dinner, and then lighting a
cigar, asked the way to WhitWorth
House.
straight on" the landlord said, land
when you reach the top Of the hill you
| will see the chimneys, and the trunk
and bag will be sent to YOU"
So, glad to stretch my lilubs after
having cramped them SO long awhile
on the narrow rouf-seats OF the stage,
1 stalked away.
The road was longer than I thought,
however, and it was after four o'clock
when / opened the gate at the Whit
worth mansion and saw a stout, fine
looking old gentleman seated upon the
porch reading Il newspaper.
l walked up the path and stood before
him. lie looked ut me for a moment
and then started up, holding out both
his hands.
1T must be little Dick" he said.
And you are my grandfather" :
cried; land you look no older thai 1
remember you when I was q baby-in
fact, not old at ALL"
He sighed.
But I am older" he answered.
Events, not years, change a man. l
am all alone here noW-wife and chill
dren have passed away. I want you to
stay with me; I have a presentiment
that it will not be long"
He patted me kindly on the back as
he released my hands.
"Ah! but you"look very well, grand
father" l said, wonderfully wen"
He sighed again.
For all OF that, 1 want to have q Sc
rious talk with you," he said. II have
been afraid I should not have it. You
don't mind my beginning at once?'
Just as you please, grandfather" I
replied.
"Only you must eat something first -
he said.
II have dined at the hotel" I an
swered.
"Then you are in good condition for
my tall" he commentd. "Come, then
I followed him across the hall and we
entered a room the walls Of which
were lined with. books. The doors
were hung with portieres, and a great
soft Persian rug covered the floor. Our
feet made no noise upon it. 1t was the
very place for q tete-a-tete.
"Now, Dick, make yourself comforta,
ble," said my grandfather, land listen
You are the only son of my eldest boy
the only surviving relative I have OF
earth-apd have already made my will
leaving you everything. You will be {
very rich man, and, meanwhile, yol
can have all the money you want, 81
that you will be in no hurry for me t.
step out"
"Grandfather!' I cried.
'tOh, OF course" he laughed. dom
make protestatiln ms. / know you are
goOd-hearted boy and will grow fond o
me if we live together long enough
But to proceed. ! want you to sta,
here with me, to make this house you
|. home. Are you averse to the ideaY" =
IT like it exceedingly, sir" I replied.
Every WELL" said mny grandfather
"Now for the rub. I desire you to ma
~, and that ~ soon as you ear com
plete a dashing courtship."
As the young lady with whom I hat
just fallen in love was still in my mind
I cannot ,ay that my thoughts few t.
her. But I said to myself that this wa
delightful. as
II will marry very willingly, grand
father" said, tsbut before ] begin t,
nay my addresses to the young lady
must be introduced to her, and as vet
do not know her. name"
.Her name" my grandfather replied
, t"is Laura Forrest"
! I started. This was placing things II
new light. Ny grandfather contin
ned:
"You know that your grandmothe'
died years ago, and that~I married
again. My second wife was a y0unt
and very pretty woman. AL the fami
IL were handsome, and when she came
hnme abe brought with her . littl'