Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-08-27

am only acting cautiously. Believe me
when l say | know il is for the best
for no good can come of a friendship
between people in stations of life 81
widely apart as the Hartreys and Il
selves"
But. David. / think"
II would rather not talk any more
upon this subject-it is not an agree
able one. Come, May, would you like a
sail this beautiful afternoon
There was little need TO ask her, and
Rose was equally willing: and in n
short time Dayid Deacon and the two
girls were in n little yacht. running
meirily before the breeze toward Ryde.
which was at that time but a poor COZ
lection of houses and fishcrmen's huts.
The sun sparkled on the sea, and the
waves teamed and rippled as the tiny
boat cleayed its way through the wa
Ter; and May held her pretty little
hand over the gunwale and wctted the
tips OF her delicate fingc's. and strovr
to make herself believe that she never
had, might, could. or would think OF
ERNEST HartreY in any other way thGn
she thought OF John Gridley or Lieut..
Steele.
Poor little thing. she did not kno-"
that the mischief was already done.
She dared not tell herself that I
young squire was more to her than Il
n else in the world.
mo, no. no. she kept repeating
herself; Il do not care for him. He
is nothing to me | shall never gee
him again.
She little thought then how import
an part he would have TO play in her
life's history.
1t would be tedious to describe the
occupations of each successive day
suffice it that May Rivers enjoyed ev-
cry hour of her visit: and though occa-
sioDallJ Il thought of Ernest Hsrtiey
crossed her mind, She was thinking
less and less OF him. when an event
occurred which altered the whole
course of her existence.
She was walking alone. in the cool
of n September evening in the grounds
which surrounded her uncle's house,
when she fancied she heard her own
name pronounced in n low voice.
She listened tremblingly.
Miss Rivers. Do not be alarmed. !
must speak to YOU
AT the same time two hands we.,
placed upon the fence before her, and
Ernest Hartrey yaulte6 lightly over
the paIings and stood before her.
why have you avoided me-" he
asked. not giving her time to speak.
Ever since u first interview | have
remained in the n~eighborhccd On the
chance Of being able TO speak with YOU
again. What have you heard OF me
that you should dread my ~apIroach?'
May pressed her hands to her bosom
to still the palpitationS of her liutter-
ing heart.
In a m all of the old feeling
(which she had struggled 50 hard To
subdue returned 10 her with redoublcl
force.
She felt irresistibly drawn toward
the handsome youth who stood before
her, his deep blue eyes fixed intently
OH her face.
II cannot stop she said. hurriedly;
"do not detain me"
p He needed her not. but took her hand
in his.
She tried to withdraw it, but &c
clasped ii firmly.
Listen TO me for a moment, Miss
Rivers; you must see that 1t is no ON
mon matter which urges me TO speak"
II cannot-will not watt" cried May,
snatching away her hand.
"Can you not see, Miss Rivers, that
my feelings toward you are warmer
than those of an ordinary a~cquaint-
anceg Nay, 10 not turn from me.
When first / saw you your face made
a deep impression upon me. which time
only served to strengthen.
"Nay, sir, | will not hear your cried
May. Indignantly. You have no right
to talk thus
Il have a right, dear May-the right
of love-"
mo more-no morel" cried May:
and, thoroughly frightened, she turned
aud He'd, nor paused until she reached
the house.
There, in the solitude Of her
room, she had time for reflection.
Could it be true? Was it really pos
sible than one so handsome, so rich. so
well-born. could love the daughter of
a maltster?
Then camea across her mind the words
of her uncle: Were your name 70 be
coupled with his, it would only be to
your dishonor!"
"No-no!'' she cried aloud; she would
never wrong me. lie is q true, noble
gentleman! He would not have said
these words had he not intended-No,
he could not act disllor orablyi"
Poor little thirg! She hardly knew
whether she was more happy or mis-
cradle.
At one moment a shower Of tears;
at another, the bright, sunshiry smile
of hope and joy.
After some time spent in the solitude
of her W room, she descended to the
why, May, where have you been so
/
I'm my own room"
II was hunting you everywhere, to
tell you a bit of news"
what is it, uncle?"
sYour frleno, Ernest H~artrey-you
remember him?-is going to be married
next month"
May turned CHASTITY pale; but David
Deacon, not perceiving it. continued:
"a match suitable in every way; it
Is to be the second daughter Of Lord
P~orchester; she Is very rich, and, they
say, beautiful"
May heard no more
She fell to the ground in a deep
;woon.