The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1894-10-19
CHAPTER ~.
4 Fatal Interview.

1t certainly did strike Katherine.
while occupied upon it that the busl-
ness matter contained in the sheet be-
fore her was by no means worth the
trouble OF copying; but she went on
steadily with her task nevertheless
until she had reached the end and
signed the name, wlt Il her father sud
denly broke in upon the silence ty say
lEg:
"Dil Sir Mark Warrenne propose to
you this evening. katherine|
Yes she answered raising her eyes
and wondering what was coming next
And yoll--what did you say" Archi.
bald asked gently. as ever, although ii
was with difficulty he restrained the
nervous trembling OF his voice. as he
remembered the young mans hasty de-
parture and his daughters well-known
impulsiyenesS. Good heavens. Could
it be possible that she had been mad
enough to refuse him?
Katherine" he began. very earnestly
Il had hoped there would never have
been any necessity for my telling you
what | am now about to disclose: but,
seeing that YOU are wiilfully, and for
no earthly reason about to throw away
a chance that Providence alo le could
have sent you Just now. l think 1t only
my duty to tell you the fact that, un-
less within three months | get some
help, this house with all 1t contains
will be sold above my head. leaving you
and me beggars upon the face OF the
earth"
Papa" Miss Blount CALCULATED. faint
ly. every particle Of blood receding
from her face
Her father had risen from his seat
at the conclusion Of his speech. and
was now pacing rapidly up and down
the polished boards OF the library,
seemingly in deep agitation And with
out doubt he was agitated-more so
than even be himself could have con-
ceiyed possible at the beginning OF the
versaton-though from very diff
ferent cause from that which he had
described to Miss Blount.
Ihe old manor was as secure over
his head now rs 1t had been at any
time for the last ten years, which GER
tainly was not saying much for it,
Archibald being quite unable to remem
Der the time when he had been free
from debt; but the idea Of this girl
for the sake of a mere whm, allowing
fourteen thousand q year to slim
through her fingers, made his very
blood run cold
You alone could have saved me-"
he went on, Needless OF her faint
interruptions: with the KNOWLEDGE of
your husbands wealth, nv creditors
would nave become less Unfortunate
! should have gained time: and Sir
Mark. have no doubt. could have
slSen me some necessary assistance
put II You cannot say yes to the
truest gentleman l know Of course
'hefe IS little more to be said. r. IL
subject upon which l should NOT
cream OF coercing you. but for your
own sake II not for mine reflect ha-
Tore IT proves too late. Tf sink. yo,,
must OF necessity sink with mn 40 wa
both sail in the same boat: but FOR mo
II makes less difference. nv sends heina
nearly run. though I confess II docs
seem hard to commence nv lifc or,,n
with nv gray hairs" A
inc last was skilful tmnch N,s.
Rlount rose. pale and in deem distras,
- WIS oah. now that the nerves of
nofh. were unst,ung. what a wondorf,l
Ilhehess existed between the father
and daughter. 'e'
.khthnrinc." he whispered pantv
noln'ng her very closely to him. ond
.e'ililS ~ the moment some faint
long-forgottel sensations arising IN h,s
degenerate bosom for the tender ci;r,
ing creature In his arms. IF you can
90 TINS thing. you win hc giyin, mo
what ! shall bless yon for to thn 1,r
or my death: hut ! hardly dare to ,s,.
y. Wha' is my hapninoss in compar rison
with yours? Remember. 7 h,rn son,,
my best days. yours IRE vet 10 co,na.
ahd believe mc. bnt that I know ~,
20 be heart-wholc. I would not nrosa
Ihe matter 50 Dersnverinvly. yo, oro
hoart-who'e. Eathcrine--you do not ,ovo
any one clSa?' 80
NO. ! 90 not love any ono e,so !.
Mss i''onnf answered brayolv. hut ~
shc told tho lie she covered bor 49, .~
with her hanhs and turned aw,y. foa,
IN. rant and sick and cnhl prnsant,,.
Sne rns"d her hnod. LET inc % now
81" said: II want 10 be alone cnoa
night. rona." ''
Good night. nv dcar" he raturro1
pressing his lins to hcrs With mor, tha,,
his Wonfeh fcrvor. as hc felt his carsa
was gained a'e
TO be Continued