The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1896-07-03
lsora's Bridal Vow.
BY MARC AnEr BIoUN7,
CHAPTER N1-CoNrlNuED.

81 dread II fear him, and vet
am his plighted wife. Each day that
brings our marriage nearer will
wiring my heart the more. If 0
VIII only use the influence in my
behalf, If you will only persuade him
to resign this mad idea of wedding
II SO far beneath him-oh, lady,
the prayers Of Il grateful heart Will
follow you forever. during your
whole life"
why. what is this said The
stranger, laying her hand upon her
shoulder and looking her in the face
with a piercing glance. ..Do YOU
not love him."
'.Indeed, | do not"
"Not care for the rank. or wealth,
or luxury he can give your
NO"
perhaps you love another:"
Rose burst into tears.
Il did; l do; | shall ALWAYS love
him." she sobbed.
why does he not come to your
rescue? Why does he tamaly let
Sir Laurence bear you awayY:
'.Alas, he is dead"
$50! You are young to know such
sorrow. And does Sir Laurence
know this"
''He does"
"And still persists in his suit
Yes
''Have you PARENTS"
ga father"
"Why does he not protect your
ale is in league with Sir Laurence
to break my heart" said Rose. wild
~. They are forcing me into this
marriage, and think that the paltry
toys they give me will take away
the pain [ feel. But they will see
how they have mistaken me when
they stand beside my grave"
'.Tut! You are too young and fair
to talk OF dying. You shall live. L
wish with all my heart that your
young lover might have peer spared
to share the life with you. But wipe
those tears away. can save you,
and | will. Hark you, when will Sir
Laurence visit you again."
This evening, probably"
s'And when is the wedding day":'
Zone week from this"
'.He gives you little time for prep
aration. How many months have
passed since your lover died9"
s'Not one" said Rose, in a low
voice.
cruelty. And your own father to
urge on the sacrifice
Rose caught her hand and kissed
il. ..Oh, don't be angry; do not ask
me to reveal my fathers secret. l
dare not do it. He is in Sir Lau-
rence's power-his very life is at
stake"
"And yours is to be given up to
save it," said the lady, musingly.
''Sir Laurence has o altered since
the days when | first knew him, if
this is the price he exacts for his
silence. Have you tried TO escape
from your promise:?"'
with all my might"
"And what was his answer"
THAT he would release me, but if
he did so the law must take it's
course"
1.-The law9 Then has your father
transgressed ltm
Rose vas silent, but her pleading
look answered for her.
'.Well, / will ask no more! I will
not tempt so good a daughter to be-
tray her fathers secret. But in this
matter l can aid you and | will. For
the present | can do little, but in a
week many things may happen, and
your bridal shall not take place until
I am there. In the meantime, when
Sir Laurence annoys you say to him,
What was Isora's bridal vown I
warrant you the words will make
him change color and set him to
thinking of his W affairs to the
exclusion of yours"
ssWhat was Isora's bridal vowo?"
repeated Rose with a bewildered air.
eyes, those are the words. Do
not forget them. Simple as they
may seem there turks a spell in
them that will make his cheek blanch
and his heart sink within him.
what was Isora's bridal vow?" she
added, wildly. "Aye, what was it,
indeedp It will be we'll for him if
he remembers it in time and guides
his course accordingly"
'sAnd if he asks me what I mean
and where ! heard those words a''