Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-09-17

\ BECAUSE SDb KILN ~ NptAp
| the poor girl, whose burden she knew
was already almost more than sue
| could bear.
Miss Agatha Henwood did not near
of her nephcw's disappearance ilii q
week had elapsed since his WISH 70
her: but no sooner did the news reaci
her ears than she ordered her carrlase
to be got ready, and caring notnins
for the cold reception she was likely
to meet with. drove over 10 liaftte!
Park TO cali Oh her Drotner-ln-laW' on
Harold. and makes Enquiries as TO the
truth of the report which had reacheu
her ears.
She was shown into the baronet 5
study. He rose and bowed stif1y as
she entered.
Come. brother she said. "lt is but
/ seldom we meet, but when we DO let
it be as relations and she extended i
hand to him. which he held for a mo
ment in his and then let drop.
..The pleasure of seeing you, Agatha.
is so rare that | nay fairly ask what
it is which has brought you from
| Blackrock?"
81 come to talk to you about your
SON.
Il have nothing to say respecting
him. | know nothing OF him."
Nay. Harold. do not speak so
coldly and indifferently of your
only child. Is it true. that which |
hear. that he has Disappeared
1T is true"
'Have you taken no steps TO dis
cover his whereabouts
None"
.kind loving father! How he must
be pining to return to you
Agatha. you shall not take his part
! against me in this house. at all events.
He was dolt enough to reject Il most
hattering invitation from Lord Por-
chester. and to refuse compliance WITH
my wishes on other matterS-since
then l have heard nothing of him..
II have. then, seen him since YOU
Indeed
"IIave You no curiosity to learn what
l have to tell?"
None. Until he returns to me hum-
bled. and prepared To marry whom |
choose. giving up all notion of Il
wretched peasant girl. with whom he
fancies himself in love. | have no wish
to see him.
IsiSttH, iHtD, W Hit, Iidioiu' hoiN'
it that marriage is too solemn 4 thing
to be treated solely as Il matter OF con
venience. | have mixed in II world.
and know the advantages and diSad-
rantages of such Il union as you pro-
pose for your SON
Excuse me. / have no wish to dis
cuss the question with you
Perhaps not-you We're V prone
to take advice; but | have something
to tell you"
Sir Harold leaDt back in his chair,
with a sigh of resignation.
Your sol came to me, and told me
of his love for her whom you choose
to designate as as a wretclled peasant
girl, and ut the same time begged me
TO supply him with a sum of money to
be devoted TO a certain purpose
Il have nothing To say to any money
transactions between you. He is of
age; l am responsible for nothing"
Il know you well enough. Harold. 70
be sure that you would one part
with your life than your money. Don't
fancy | believe you capable of gener,
Osity."
Proceed. ma'am, if you have any,
thing TO say"
only this. that | advanced him the
money he required, and since then |
have heard nothing of him.
THAT is very likely"
"NYhat do YOU mean2 Surely ynl
know more of him than you say
Il know and care nothing of his
movements: but as You appear anx.
ioUs for your money, | viii give you
my opinion"
Agatha Henwood bowed her head.
MY son had over 4 taste for excite.
nient and adventure. / believe he has
obtained the money from you under
false pretenses. and has left England
in a tit of anger. and that we shall moi
see his face again till all the money is
spent"
Il do not believe it,
"You are at liberty, ma am, to be
lieye or disbelieye whatever you think
proper"
Then, Sir Harold. I tell you that
believe no one in England has so hard
hearted and Indifferent Il father as
Ernest Hartrey.'
And / tell you, In turn, that | be
lieve no one in the world has SO oh
trusive and impertinent aunt as my
SON"
Agatha HenwOod colored, but made
no reioinder: neither did he reply &c
his visitors adieu. bur busted himspli
with n letter until she had left tie
room: and then he threw himself back
! in his chair. and as he thought oi
Ernest tears stood in his eyes-for hi.
1 p~rCfesGCd indifference 10 him was, in
a great measure. only assumed in the
presence Of others, and in private h,
mourned for his dearly beloved boy
who had so unaccountably disap
peared.
He was angry with him. 1t was true
for being SO blind to his W inter
ests as TO prefer the daughter of O
malster TO the daughter Of Il marquis
and the affected Indifference he ex
pressed whea Miss IIenwood men
toned Ernest. differed widely from
his true feeling on the subject.
When he said he believed his sor
had gone abroad with the money oh
tanned from his aunt he spoke tho
truth.
He thought that, angry and I'm
happy. despairing of ever obtainin.
his fathers consent TO his marriag,
with May Rivers, he might n~aturall,
seek other cenes rather than those
which would remind him OF her he
loved at every step.
Anafhn IIanxyanI so IN 4l,n a. rr,... e..