The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1895-04-18

the other guests were summed up ny Nir.
Hurst in his amiahlc way. as "a mixture
of bores and nohodies.
Having no mischief ready made to his
hand. stephen went out To seek 1t for nm
self: he sought and found il in the woods
Of Brynmar; he sauntcred down Il broad
path to enjoy a cigar. The day was fine
and the cigar a good one. stephen sal on
the trunk of q fallen tree. in order 10 en-
Joy both: and as he sat there Il girl. beau
tiful as a fairy vision, came tripping down
the path.
Stephen Hurst saw her with a thrill OF
delight: he had been idle and ~listless; here
was something TO do: here was a bcautl-
full young face, pure. sweet, and happy;
he could teach it To blush and To glow.
Here was n pure. innocent young heart;
he could teach it TO love. All that he said
to himself as the girl drew near. She did
not perceive him until he. TO attract her
attention, spoke, then Magdalcn Burns
raised her eyes to his face, and i'll that
one look met her fate. He asked some
idle question as to the nearest way to the
Hall, and she replied; then gradually he
drew from her her name and her simple
little history. Nothing could be better.
: Ilt SUlu ~ lilllNtlI. ' 80 ~
interfere while he remained ut this dull
place; it would be a magnificent resource
to be able TO meet this beautiful. simple
girl. out in the bonny woods of Brynmar.
lie never calculated on Donald Burns
strength of arm or strength of Will.
Lord Hutton could not imagine how it
happened that stephen Hurst. who used
TO complain the whole day long of the
ILL., e n. H. 49, IN ~
suddenly grew attached to it, and abso-
lutcly tried to persuade him to prolong his
stay.
Brynmar Woods could have told him
why. There was no day passed that
stephen Hurst did not meet Magdalen I'M
der the shade of their tall trees.
What need to tell the story: He wooed,
as idle men do WOO when they have no
other occupation, and she learned to love,
as the young and happy love when they
are so wooed.
How it would have ended no one can
tell; but one morning. while the dew still
lay upon flower and leaf. Magdalcn went
out 10 meet her lover. They walked for
some long time UP and down the broad
path. forgetting everything save thcm-
selves and their own happiness. whcn all
at once the keeper, white with rage. stood
before them.
80" said he. slowly. this is it, have
always said that fatal beauty would
prove a curse. Go home. NaGdalen; leave
your lover with me. Stay-do not let NE
be rash. Is he your lover: Does he pro-
fcSs to love you:"
"IIe does love me-" said Magdalen,
proudly; 'and I-oh, father, do not be
angry love him."
She spoke bravcly, although trembling
with fear.
81 am not angry, child said the keep
er, gently. $50 home-I will settle this"
you will not hurt him. father" plead
ed Magdalen.
Il will not disturb even one Of his we'll
arranged curls," said the keeper, grimly.
Leave him to me-
Magdalen FASTENED away, and the two
men gazed fiXcdly at each other. stephen
Hurst did not quite like the strong hands
that trembled with eagernesS. He was Il
coward at heart. but thought in this case
there was nothing much to fear.
"Well, my friend" he said, insolently.
don't act the virtuous peasant. | have
seen that kind of thing so often on the
stage that | am tired of it,
Il tell you what YOU never saw upon
the stage" said the keeper. You ncveY
saw q father who meant to lash his daugh-
ter's lover like a whipped hound unless
he did justice to her"
There was something in the hot. angry
eyes that glowed upon him. and in the low
kissing voice, that shook Stephen Hurst's
craven heart.
"DO not let us make any error" he said.
hastily; "your daughter is n beautiful girl,
and pure as an angel. | would not utter
one word derogatory to her to save my
life"
Donald Burns face softened at these
words.
"Have you taught my child to love
youE' he asked; tell me in one word. I
will know the truth"
"She does love me-" replied Stephen,
quietly.
Then listen TO me-" said the keeper.
You are a fine gentleman, / suppose
one from the Hail; she is poor and almost
friendless, but YOU have taught her To
love you; and if YOU do not marry her and
make her happy, | will follow you-cven
to the worlds cnd-and Stay you-you
hear me; / say i'll, who never broke my
word. Now please Yourself
He turned away without one word more,
leaving Stephen Hurst looking ~vacantly
after him.
"A very pretty price certainly to pay
for a summers wanderings in these stupid
woods" he muttercd. That all comes
from having nothing to do. ! must either
marry the girl or run the risk Of being
beaten to death 10y that energetic and ac-
tive keeper. Well. ! have nothing to keep
her upon; | cannot keep myself; but she
is Il beautiful girl: and | really like her
better than any one else in the world. Let
me toss up for it; head, l marry her; the
reverse, | run away" Then he carelessly
threw up a few small silver coins. "IIeads
WIN" said he, with a smile. 81 will wait
upon the keeper tomorrow
And that was the man Magdalen Hurst