The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1894-04-05

exquisitely happy, lying thus folded to
his breast, hearing all his syllables Of
fervent alteration, and putting every
confidence In them.
And he asked her to become his wife
Ito become such without delay; but,
as he had anticipated, she refused to
marry him until whole twelvemonth
had expired since the disappearance Of
! her former lover Roger Baldrick.
This objection on the part Of Ger
trude was STRONGLY opposed by Sir
Basil
What would my grandfather say to
meT' said she. "Why, all Ravenmarsh
! would exclaim against me, did think
| of wedding with any one until whole
year of mourning had gone by. ] was
known to be Rogers affianced wife,
and people would call me unfeeling, in
deed, did neglect to pay proper re-
spect to his memory"
But consider the months and months
l should have to wait ere l could call
you mine, dear Gertrude" the baronet
| pleaded. ~ cannot bear to contem-
plate so long pause 'twiXt myself and
the contamination of my dearest
wishes. Gertrude, you must be mine,
| for veal or woe, before another week
| has passed over our heads. Away
with these foolish worldly forms; such
| are not for loves observance!''
MY grandfather would strongly OBJ
ject to-nay, strongly oppose-our union
on the grounds have just mentioned"
1--WE will not risk his opposition, dear
est" Sir Basil rejoined.
II do not comprehend you"
1--WE will not ask his consent"
IT cannot wed without it,"
wherefore? He has no right of any
sort over you"
II am aware Of that much" she an
swered seriously; but he has ever been
kind to me-ever acted towards me
like a parent, and I should be worse
| than ungrateful were to do anything
without his full sanction"
You do not care for me, Gertrude,
else you could not reckon matters after
this freezing fashion,
How would you have ME prove my
affection for your
by acting according to my wishes,
Gertrude" he eagerly answered.
"Well?"
ITO fly with me this very hour, in or
der to become my wife in the NEXT" he
| argued, with great ardour.
mo, no." objected she. II dare rot
cannot forsake the poor sick old man!
Wait-wait awhile, Sir Basil; Seek my
grandfatherS approval to our e1rly
marriage, and doubt not then my will
ling acquicscence to Your wishes"
Gertrude" he said, passionately
wringing her Misunderstanding, If you
refuse to become mine at once, as pro-
pose, shall fly this very night, and
you will never see me more!'
! what" she exclaimed, in a sudden
trepidation. ooh, Sir Basil. you threat
en- me thus-you who say you love me-"
and 1 do love you, Gertrude-the
powers above alone know how dearly
i do sor'
"And yet you would leave lie, Sir
Basil!' she said, looking trustfllly into
his handsome face. "Ah, you are not
kind to poor Gertrude, Think
"Nor is Gertrude kind to Basil Dove
tree"
"Say not So" she breathed, her lips
close to his ear. Gertrude would give
her life, if such would benefit you in
| any wayp'
"Words-mere words, Gertrude, since
you refuse to accept my honorable
| OFFER
She was distressed at his tone. and
| knew not how to reply.
With her whole heart she loved him,
and with her whole heart she was also
ready to obey him; but the remem-
| hrance Of her duty to him who had
through life 50 cherished ner, claiming
| her utmost consideration aud attention.
Sir Basil Dovctree young though he
was, was quite aware Of Gertrude's feel
iugs toward him. He knew that she
would not be leaning On mis- shoulder
thus. were she not prepared to yield to
all his wishes. A little more urging on
lis part. and she would bend entirely
to his viii.
| He charged his names looked cold
aud rs,.a;ringIy-and the loving, gen
tic creature gradually s'fanc.l Iyar,ls
him. and consented to all that he GRO.
posed. yn meet him On ihe outSk irts
Of the y Gage early on tho fOl!nX'I &
day. aud then to repatr ~ Windsor and
be ma: ricd to him; an! afterwards to
return ) Ter hOme-her lnIJ1 IT, be
kept Il S"c'ct until shN could win her
grandfather's approval Of it.
Such was the arrangement between
Sir Basil Dovetree and the innocent
and trusting girl he was seeking 20 he
tray. We shall see how he kept his
word with her, and how unworthy he
was of her confidence and love.
Sir Basil returned home greatly elat-
ed; and Warrington, who was soon
made acquainted with all, started off
to prepare his mock parson, and to get
all things in readiness for the perform
ance of the pretended ceremony at
Windsor. -
Before daylight on the following NOR
row, Sir Basils carriage was waiting
at the end of certain lane near Raven
marsh, while the baronet himself was
hastily proceeding towards the place at
which Gertrude had promised to meet
him, and where he found her, anxious
~ anticipating his coming.
81 am sorry" she commenced; "but
my grandfather is much worse; and
feel / cannot deceive him by taking
this unadvised step. I have been
dreaming all night, Sir Basil--oh, such
dreadful. terrible dreamsL-and I am
now more reluctant than ever to wed
you without the good old mans con
sent
''Whecc does your grandfs Their think
you have gone to at this hourY he de-
manded, rather abruptly.
II asked him to allow me to visit
Mrs. Baldrick."
For The whole day, of courseT
Eyes, Sir BASIL" faltered she.
THAT'S right" he returned. drawing
her arm within his own, and proceed
ing to retrace his steps.
"Stopv' she cried, Il cannot go with
you, Sir Basil-indeed, indeed I can
not"
And she stood still, trembling, and
almost painting for breath.
But Sir Basil needed not her words
and continued to draw her onward and
onward, all the while pouring INTO hel
ears his love-syliabies until poor GEE
trude was no longer the mistress Of
herself or of her actions.
Having reached the end of the lane
where the carriage was waiting, Sil
Basips speech assumed such tones OF
passionate earnestness that Gertrude's