Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-03-19

NCD ne might Dt NalhluE tA't' 49,
He was: and we met We had NOT
spoken together for "A very long hNhe.
ard il was then so late in the evening
that our interview was HNCSssaFiIN
very short. And SO we agreed To meet
again this aftcrnOon-to meet as be-
trothcd lovers. who are To marry as
soon as both obtain their majority;
for. there must be a time
when, if | live. l shall be- fire.. Ivy the
laws of God and man, to give my hand
where my heart has long bcen given
and L have promised. when that time
shall come. TO be the wife OF Norllam
Montrose. and. mamma. l uIean TO
keep my promisei There, mauima, l
nave told you all"
1t was impossible that that white
faced woman could have become
winter. bur now a livid grayness crept
over her features that also seemed to
harden into stone. Ii was in a low,
level. ominous monotone tAat n re-
peated:..
You have told me all-now what is
il YOU wish me TO do
"Oh. mamma. pity me. take me To
your heart, give me your confidence,
make. me happy-it will take but a
little to do that. Recall Norham Mon
trose: give him your sanction TO visit
me here. i'm your house-here under
your eye;" prayed Alma. with clasped
hands and ~beseeching eyes.
Il ann glad that you have spoken so
plainly. girl. for now Y can answer
you; and you must take that answer
to be AZ final and immutable as though
the words were sealed by the most
solemn and binding oaths. And my
answer is this-that . must never
see. Capt. Montrose again.
"Ohl mamma, mamma. tell me at
least why you object to him. Is il his
birth, his position or his character
exclaimed Alma, earnestly.
1T is neither. His birth, position
and character might fairly entitle him
To wed any young Lady in the land
rs there, then, any family feud be-
tween his house and mine, such as
sometimes divide
"LOvers?-a Montague and Capulet
folly? No. His family and yours have
always been the best friends. In
short. Alma, neither lord Elverton
nor myself. nor any Of our friends
have the least personal objection what
ever either 10 Capt. Montrose himself
or to any Of his family. l can assure
you OF that. If it can give You any sat
is%faction."
"Oh, 1t does-it does, mamma! God
bless you for that tribute to Norham's
worth! Oh. mamma. you have told me
what the objection is notch. tell me
what II is. ! might find a way"
Alma interrupted the lady, I'm n
deep. low. stern voice, many months
ago l warned you that love and mar.
riage were not for you: many months
ago warned you. IL you would escape
the heaviest curse that could huri n
soul to perdition, to avoid the friend
ship of woman and the love of man
did l not?'
Yes, you did-you did, But WHY
why, mother?" demanded Alma, with
her hands still tightly clasped and
extended, and her eyes still fixed upor
the face of her mother.
Alma commenced the lady. In
voice of almost awful solemnity. 81
l might be permitted to do so. / woul,
willingly spare you the anguish o
hearing the words that 1 must sneak
but destiny Is stronger than / am
stronger than all are!'
Say On, my mother. Oh. SAY on
If there Is anything l ought TO know
let me hear it-never mind the pain,
prayed Alma, with her ciasped hands
"hnt Oh! must 4 he my tongue tina