Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-02-20
Hut Alma loved bcr ,,,,..-

love.
Adjoining the library was ,
study that had once bdopgna ~
father, but which her mo,s
never known TO enter. Herr 4
full length portrait of no, .uas
painted in London soon after -
riage. Ii represented a man ! 4
prime of his youth. of a ana
proportioned form. Grecian taa aas]
fair complexion, falron-ierce hlaa
and golden brown hair-a
whom Alma seemed a small faaaaal
copy.
Into this study Alma iemoy..
work table, her easel. paint hov
books. And here, seated IN -.
the beloved portrait, Alma liza !
20 employ her mornings in III
work. In drawing, reading ar
ing Of her unknown father. La
Moons were passed in wandering /.
margin of fair Eden's waters M
the vida, or in roaming tnron.IJ
old woods behind the mansns
ever dreaming of her unkpown f,.1
and yearning for his presepca 4
love. n
Alma was very punctual in Ia, l
tendance upon public worship nat n
from religious principle-though n
Of Itself would have been a snss1
motive To her-but also from ~ i
solute necessity Of at least NM
upon human beings with whom /
could hold no other intercourse 1
After the departure of the ca,
esS. she alone occupied the great N
lily pew of the EIvertOns. until N
Lcaton, who was then recently n
owed, felt compassion for the las1
girl, and awaiting herself Of the III
le-e given by Il slight @acouaint,J
with the Hon. Mrs. Elyerton invl
Alma 10 SIT with her family. MI
seemed TO be no possible obiectim]
this plan. and the solitary girl wa, n
too CAD TO accept the kind inytIsl
and sit with a party Of young creat1
Of her own age and rank. This IA
consisted now of Agatha and ma
LeatCn. and Malcolm and NoSl
MontroSc.
Alma informed her mother Of n
courtesy on the part of Lady Laatc|
Mrs. Elverton made no absolute /
lection. but grayely shook her head \
said:
Il have almost ceased to wage "A
war with destiny; yet, girl. | va
warn you against one error that
you would DE fatal! There are \
young gentlemen on Il visit 10 that ID
lily; it is their attentions that | wJ
have you hun rs you would shun I'd
nj perdirion. Beware Of the Mess
NontroSe. Beware of all men I
Alma. love and marriage are NOT 1
you!'
Alma grew pale as death at the I
mi words and manner of her mOta
II she felt that the warning cane
.4it, as warnings generally do.
Anna had been introduced to ea
member of Lady Leaton's party. d
among the rest To Captain Nora
Montrose. who was ut once deeply
pressed by the fresh and delicate I'd
ty OF the fair young girl. and strp1
attracted by the splendid prospects
the rich young heiress.
And Alma, with all her lonely I'D
and soul yearning and aching for q
panionship and sympathy, beeaus ,
easily fascinated By the loyetn'
voice and love-tempered gaze Of |
handsome young hussar.
4 few weeks, therefore, irretriesa1
decided the destiny of Alma she 5'
and loved forever.
To have gained the passionate bVl
a creature so good and beautiful v
n heart so fresh and pure, was q J
umph such as had never before ii
"a the lot Of the fascinating young 1
Ger. And what at first had been
him n pursuit half OF admiration, I
speculation. became ut length ~
passion. an infatuation, Il delirlulp
could scarcely be said TO live oh.
Annals presence. The world 70 I
soon came TO be divided only into !
parts-where she was, and where :
was not: and time into two eras-NH
she was present and when she ws'
sent. He saw her only at churtL'
Sundays, and the six days that M'
vened between We're to MIN sD
between stars
To boldly ask the hand Of tms 2
ess OF her grandfather and her nhOD
was nothing less than madness On
part OF IA young officer with Oily
pay. And yet. instigated as nue.
lis overwhelming pride as by MS :
long passion, Captain Montrose "
To Lord Elyerton and To Mrs. Elvei.
asking their permission TO pay We
dresses 10 Miss Elverton ut EAienla,
From Lord Elverton he recehu
courteous but decided refltSai-
Mrs. Elyerton a sharp and pere"p'
denial.
And after this poor Almas oh'
cial solace was taken away rwa
and she was forbidden TO 90 20 CIV \
This prohibition, as might Raw
expected. did more harm than gVv''
whereas. before 1t was issutu
young lovers met only once . w"
church. in the presence OF others,
now met almost every day alone y
woods behind Edenlawn. these :
ings commenced not by appon'l'
but rather By accident. Aims, = !,
been already said. was In the
habit OF walking by the margin y =
lake below Edenlawn, or IN the :
behind the house.
Norham. missing her from nu !
at church. and forbidden to cal !
her Mt her mothers house. anu w.
for her society as the dying lo, rsl
life, walked 10 Edenlawn n ra
through the woods. only to De n IsJ
dwelling that contained his % pat
these rambles he met Alma' !,
$50. I 49,. aAn nrnSDnt III y