Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1896-10-23
CHApTER NNII1.

044N O0ACOOAOASAl SuSAS St0AN0 u 6uAAS7
post, pointing with triple finger toward
ing mound Of grcensward. There, at OF
about the hour of three, on sultry af-
ternoon in early August, n low, open car
riage, drawn by a pair of pretty white
ponies, stood drawn up. and the slight
girlish figure that was it's sole occupant
was that of Violet Mowbray. The girl
was sitting in deep revcrie, when sud-
denly she heard the words:
violet, my sweet one! you alone here?''
and turned, with start and blush to
see Don standing beside her.
II was thinking of you, DEAR" she said
as she put out her little hand to him
81 am very, very often thinking of you."
And then, as though ashamed of her
innocent confession, Violet proceeded to
explain how she came to be in Mrs. Lang
toms pony carriage at the cross roads and
alone. james, the groom lad, came
out with me, as usual" she said "but L
have sent him quarter of a mile or so
along the Decping road, to Mr.. WarDur-
tons house. He is the bearer of a tiny
note to friend of mine, and favorite
with Mrs. Langton-Grace Warburton."
"Ten priceless minutes for, my darl-
ingw answered Don, bending down to
look into Violet's eyes; $50 few, so very
few, are the opportunities that now have
Of speaking to you"
Scarcely had the words been uttered
before another voice, loud, gruff aal per-
emptory, exclaimed:
"Heydey Upon my word am afraid
am interrupting you. The fact is, Mr.
ah-Don-you are just the very person
whom I wanted to see. 1t was necessary
to put stop to this sort Of thing, and
am not sorry to have a chance OF doing
SO once for all"
The speaker, who, US may easily be con-
jectured, was no other than Mr.. Marsh.
had drawn near unperceived.
Don redeemed. II am not sure that
quite comprehend your meaning, SIR" he
said, quietly.
II shall try to make my meaning su!li-
GENTLY clear before am done," wrath
fully burst out Mr.. Marsh. II am the
young lady's guardian, rs you probably
have been informed, and it is my duty,
and, may add, my privilege. 70 protect
her against the wiles of the unsrrupu-
lous."
"You are not angry with me. dear Mr..
Marsh," said Violet, who was herself per-
picked; Eat least, l hope not, because"
"Not angry with you, my dear young
lady," interrupted Mr.. Marsh, with mark
ed emphasis. "You are simple I'd young,
and Of confding nature-too confding;
and it is for those who should love and
protect your youth to interpose between
you and the base designs Of wretched
adventurer."
do you mean me, sirT' demanded Don,
with sudden flash of Indignation in his
great dark eyes, such MS nighs have
glowed in those of lion aroused by some
wanton insult. eff So" He did not
complete the sentence, but stool, flushe ]
and angry, but doing his best 20 preserve
an aspect of composure. Very, very rare
ly had Don been subjected to an uffron:-
never, certainly, to one so outrageous Us
this; but after moment Of reflection NJ
felt assured that Mr.. Marsh was honest
in his prejudice against himself. no mat
ter how unjust his thoughts and words
might be.
You may swagger, young man, as
young men will, and you may !ooh re-
sentful," cried out the effective partner
in the great firm of Crump, Marsh Il CaS-
ton, "but none the less shall do my du.y
by my ward. Her poor dear parents
dead long ago-left her to my care; and
whatever comes, sir, I'll not be found
sleeping ut my post. have had warn
ings. I have been told that underground
plots We're going on. That is why am
in Yorkshire now. The fact is, Mr. Don,
that you have scented out this great for
tune of Miss Mowbray's, and that such
is the goal of your mercenary ambition y
"Guardy, you do him wrong Even il
this hateful money does belong to mc,
Don never knew of it, never cared for il!''
exclaimed Violet, with tears in her eyes.
Don changed color rapidly. When he
spoke, it was in hoarse and broken
voice.
"You are the bringer of ill news, Mr.
Marsh," he said. Nothing that you coul,!
have done, no assertion Of your authority,
could so we'll have served to put ba crie-
between your ward and myself as this
revelation. I love your ward very dearly,
sir. but it is with unselfish love. Miss
Violet is dearer to me than my life; but
unless were myself rich and famous, 1
should not venture to claim as my wife a
great hciress.''
don, my darling, what matters miser-
able money between us two? Poor or
rich. shall always care for y.,u alone,
and for no one else; and it is cruel--
cruel" sobbed Violet.
My Violet" said Don, with strange,
sorrowful tenderness in his voice, 81 must
now bow my head to this stroke which
las been dealt us, and bid you adieu, for
Il time at least. 1t seems as il my dear
est hopes were rudely snatched from me.
No. Mr.. Marsh, am no fortune hunter;
will not wait for you to Danish me from
ire side Of her love; but, If this property
';c really hers, must go.''
"Don-my OWL will refuse this odi-
o;ls money; will give it up, and 1 will
Mever. never care for-never marry-any
one but you," protested Violet, almost OBJ
';v:ous of Mr.. Marsh's presence.
My darling" cried the young man,
l'assionately, II shall never forget you.
never cease to love you, until my dying
day. But must leave you now."
BY this time the white ponies had grown
fretful, and the youthful groom came
running, breathless, in his boots along the
{. .Deeping road. -
There was an end for the time Of
Al - ~