The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1893-10-14
CHAPTER VIII.

1t was all settled, to the intense de-
light of the whole countryside. Alan
Branston, the young squire ct E'lms-
thorpe Grange, was to marry HyaCinth
Vane, the daughter Of the silent, soil
tary man whose heart had been broken
by his wife's death. The ladies Of the
country who would have been pleased
to have secured the prize Tor thci- own
daughters, said it was a very fortunate
thing for Miss Vane, but that they had
vet to see how it would end. True,
Miss Vane was a lady, but there was
a vast difference between the position
of the two. Alan Branston was a
wealthy squire. Hyacinth Vane, al
though her father was both Il gentle
man and scholar, had no fortune-had
| nothing, in short, but her beautiful face
for her dowry. Yet, although worldly
matrons shrugged their shoulders, the
world in general smiled and approved.
Lady Rosedene was delighted. No IN
gagement had ever given her half such
satisfaction; it was the most fortunate
thing that had ever happened. She
smiled with the blandest satisfaction
as she thought how people would talk
about Lady Rosedene and her wonder
full social tact. She had never been so
pleased.
When Hyacinth. with flushed face
and beating heart had gone to her own
room, Alan went bravely to Lady
Rosedene and told his story.
II shall go to see Mr.. Vane to-mor-
row." he said, land in the meantime I
wished to tell you"
She was so delighted that she almost
embraced him on the spot.
81 cannot tell you how pleased I am,''
said her ladyship. II have seen few
whom I thought worthy of Hyacinth
Vane. You have chosen wisely, Mr..
Branston, and you will never repent
your choice"
~ y Il Il II 81 y = = y = II s. + rs = y
"Hyacinth," said the young lover, Il
am going over to Dunwold this morn
ing to see your father-you know what
about"
She flushed crimson, even to the tips
Of her pretty ears.
About me?" she questioned shyly.
Eyes, about you, my darling. / must
tell him that you have promised to be
my wife"
He smiled at the serious fashion in
which she folded her hands and said
quietly: :.
II am quite sure that my father will
not be willing for me to be married,
Alan. He will say I am too young
1--WE will persuade him that he is
wrong" laughed Alan. What can a
father do against two lovers? You will
see how quickly we shall induce him to
change his mind"
1t was something Of a surprise to the
solitary student, porting over his books,
when the handsome young lover was
announced, and suddenly entered his
studio; he seemed to bring the fresh
air and sunlight of the outer world with
him. Francis Vane could not believe
that somebody wanted to marry Elsie's
child, that the little golden-haired Hya-
cinth, whom, in his own deadened
mind, he had always associated with
the beautiful white flowers, should be
loved and. asked in marriage. 1t was
too wonderful. He looked at the bright
face Of the young lover.
"Hyacinth is a child" he said, quite
a child. I understand that you are
Squire Branston, Of Elmsthorpe Grange
that you are rich. But my Hyaclntn
is a child-quite a child" !
Il beg your pardon. returned Alan;
Hshe may be in some things 9 cnlld,
but she has the love, the soul, the
beauty Of a woman
Marry Hyacinth?" Intercepted the
scholar, musingly. What would her
mother sayw
And then Alan was silent for Q short
time; he was accustomed to appeals
made to the living, but not to the dead.
In q low, gentle voice, that won Tor
him the love Of Francis Vane, he an
swered.
II am sure her mothers wish would
be that her daughter should be blessed
with the love Of q loving young nus
band, as she herself was.
But the child is SO young" salid
francis Vane.
1T Il q fault that every DIV will
amend laughed the happy young
Iorsr. 'come. Sir, every bird has tts
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