The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1895-02-01
CHAPTER vI.-(Continu.d.J


pleted her studies; and he himself was
still Flooding laboriously through his
Jaw books.
There was no need of precipitation.
n he sought to win in the heart of
Nlvette Moller that personal attach
ment which would be all the stronger
from protracted growth. In fact, the
strong impressions which each had re-
ceived in favor of the other during her
fathers trial had already ripened into
a love both strong and trustful. It
had never entered into his conceptions
that Molier would oppose a marriage
in due season between Vivette and
himself-why should he?-and on that
point he had no anxiety. Great was
his surprise, therefore, when, on his
calling on Vivette, a few days after
the arrival of Adolf Molier, her father
took occasion to speak to him very
plainly OF the subject.
"Mr. Gust" said he, mot only be-
cause OF your interposition in my be-
half, but on account of your many
good traits, which fully appreciate,
with your many other friends, l am al
ways happy to see you. But as too
frequent interviews between yourself
and my daughter may awaken feelings
and hopes in her which are opposed to
my plans and can never be gratifed, I
should not be doing justly toward
her, who is dearer than life to
me, unless | candidly notified you
that for years past my daughters
eventual marriage has been already
determined upon. | think l am not
mistaken in assuming that %henceforth
you will respect that arrangement
for her happiness as well as your
own"
II am certainly surprised at this an
n~ouncement, on many grounds" re-
piled Mr.. Gust; 'sbut if this arrange
ment as to the disposition of your
daughter meets her approval, you have
not mistaken me. [ shall not intrude
upon her or you. But if she is not a
willing party to that usurpation-I
q use no other word-you nave
slightly mistaken me; l am made of
more rigid metal"
Then we understand each ot~er,"
said Molier, s'and with much regret
we shall lose you from our social cir
cle.'
Understanding these words as a DO
lite request to leave. Mr.. Gust retired
with such politeness as a man may be
expected to assume who has received
blow in the face.
Before he slept that night, Joseph
Gust prepared a candid and manly let
ter for the eye-and the heart-of
Vivette Molier. He recounted their
first meeting in the court room; his
resolve then aud there to win her
hand and herself if possible; his
deep love which had been
stronger day by day, and all
he bright hopes which her bearing to-
ward himself had inspired. Then he
repeated the words of her father.to him
on the previous night, and appealed to
her to '.aow if she approved that long
stand1 y scheme for the disposition Of ,,
her hand and heart and her life to
another. He assured her that if in
deed she consented to that scheme and
would say SO without hesitation, it
would at least be better for him than
doubt. And he pledged himself as a
man OF honor to respect her final de-
cision.
This letter he sent under cover to
Mrs. Devices (whom he knew very well
and who was his friend), and trusted
to its reaching Vivette at the academy.
81 The letter did reach her; but not
quite 50 directly as he had expected.
Mrs. Devices was a shrewd woman, She
did not wish to lose the good will of
Moiier. and she did wish that joseph
Gusts letter should reach Vivette.
SO when the letters from the postoffice
for the young ladies Of the academy
came, she mixed that Of Mr.. Gust with
the others, and herself handed it over
TO sVivette as if coming from the post
office. But Old Charley was equlal
tosstiic emergency. N had already de-
manded and received his daughters
solemn promise not to write. any
letter, note or response to Joseph
Gust; and she was too conscientious to
break her word.
Ont the next evening after Joseph's
letter had come to the hand Of Vivette.
there was a fashionable ball at the
Broadway house, given by 1.-THE
Crews. acrack military company COM
posed Of young men Of the city's "best
society. Joseph Gust was there, and