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

~ SA6AS<Sn ySOAC ORNf uAAN AS~~
beauty. She is spending a few days
with her mothers relatives, but she
will return soon. That Is the girl /
have picked out for you. I shall not
leave her q dollar, but as ! hope to see
her married before I die, that will not
matter" -
I listened in silence. Oh, what q faH
was here. With this idea in his mind,
of course my grandfather would set
himself against all the other brides
whom T could choose, and / felt that it
would be impossible for me to marry
any one but the little angel I had fall
en- in love with.
I sat silent, as I said, but my grand
father proceeded:
You may rely upon it that Laura is
charming, my dear boy, and now /
marry herr" =
Afterward I devoutly wished that I
had temporized; but / was young and
ardent. Instead OF begging for time to
consider, l started to my feet and cried
out: e.
mo, no, no! a thousand times no,
grandfather! I could never marry q
woman I should detest as I should this
Laura Forrest, If she was forced upon
me under these circumstances. Be
sides, I adore another girl. I would
do anything else, anything, grandfath-
err"
I paused, for the old gentleman turned
pale, and put his hand to his heart.
"Yes," he said, ''anything but crafty
my dearest wish. You to whom I am
willing to give all I have spent my life
in accumulating."
Dear grandfather" I said, why not
leave the girl a fortune?"
Her relatives would keep her single
and spend it for her." he said. 1.-The
men Of that family are not to be trust
ed. Dick, she's a sweet girl, a lovely
girl, I tell you"
ITO me she would be ugly and hate
full If I took her on such terms" said I.
And I have calculated on this thing
for months" said my grandfather.
1 had nothing to say, but that l wished
from my heart that I could Oblige him.
We were very silent until dinner was
announced. Then we sat down together
without a word. On my g~randfather's
plate lay a letter.
and handed it to me with the remark:
"See for yourself what you have DONE"
And I certainly suffered some remorse
as I read these words:
Dear Sir,-In an hour you have blot
ted out forever all the many favors Of
the past. You have injured and insult
ed me hey ond r%eparation; you have Of
fered me to 4 stranger for his wife.
I had returned from my uncle's and
crept on tiptoe to the library to sur
prise you. Hearing you in converse
ton with a stranger, I fingered for a
moment behind the %portiere, and heard
all. Tell your grandson that I never
would have accepted him. l would hate
and despise a husband won on such
terms, as much as he would q wife so
bought.
Adieu forever,
Laura"
Z! loved her as though she were my
own child" said my grandfather, and
without finishing his dinner he left the
table.
Later he sent me word by a servant
that if 1 wished to ride I should find
a horse at my disposal. 1 was glad to
avail myself of this opportunity for
passing the time. and, mounted upon
a splendid animal, was soon galloping
over the country.
Once out in the fresh air, I had but
one hope--that chance might guide me
into the presence of my unknown love-;
and it seemed indeed that, for n
desire became prophecy" for at q
turning of the road I came suddenly
upon a little group Of young people
gathered about the gateway of a cot
fn no Arn0nn tl,1y1 che Ao. p
filed my heart; I dotted my hat and
bowed to her. She turned her back to
me.
"She has not recognized me-" I said.
I alighted and advanced, hat in hand.
MAY Il be permitted to hope you
have not forgotten me, miss?' 1 began.
She turned and stared at me coldly.
Your intrusion is an impertinence.
SIR" h said. "You have no right to
speak to me-"
Well, actually I had not. What I
could 1 do but to say: BEG pardon"
bow and turn away?
AS I rode back to my grandfather's
house I said very bitter things to my
self.
There a new shock awaited me. A
servant stood at the door, who cried
out to me:
"Oh, Mr.. Richard! Mr.. Richard!
poor master is dying!'
This indeed appeared to be the a
For hours my grandfather lay speech
less, and it was only after two terrible
days that he recovered sufficiently to
say that he must see Laura once again.
Send for her." he cried, send for
her"
1t was some time, however, before
any one knew where to send.
Toward evening I sat beside my
grandfather's bed holding his hand.
"Now, my boy" he was saying, you
shall see what a splendid girl you have
refused, what q fine creature you have
insulted, driven from me-"
II have no doubt of it, grandfather"
I replied, and I am properly punished.
Let me tell you all. When I spoke as I
did, I was wildly, madly in love with a
beautiful girl with whom I had taken a
long journey IN the stage. I fancied
she liked me, To-day / met her and
ventured to renew the acquaintance.
She purposely insulted me in the most
cruel manner. I could not yet think Of
loving another woman, but"
A little sound interrupted me, the
rustic OF q robe, q light, swift step. A
girl rushed into the room and flung her
self on her knees at my grandfather's
bedside,
'Laura." he cried. 39 :
"Oh, my dear, dear friend, my more
than father, forgive me- she sobbed.
"How could I leave you SOP" -
Her kisses fell upon his face. His
arms EMBODIED her.
Meanwhile T stood amazed. Laura
and my beloved were one! My grand
father had chosen for me the very be