Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-11-05

her dearest friend. Adml them at
once"
AS sooD as the servant had with
dra wn, Aunt Agatha turned 10 her
= visitor.
Now, my dear, ccIld anything be
more fortunatel You are as much
concerned as | in this matter. Are you
afraid to remain in the ROOM
She hesitated and seemed hardly TO
know what answer TO make.
Conceal yourself behind this tap
estry, them said Miss Henwood. You
will near everything without being
bring you forth"
HE will Kill me if he sees me- she
said. shuddering as she spoke.
NONSENSE. He will not attempt
violence. Hush. here they come
Miss Henwood had barely time TO
conceal her visitor when Sir Harold
Hartrey and John Gridley entered the
apartment.
II am glad to see you. brother"
said Miss Henwood, giving %utterancc
to one of those social ~falsehoods which
we all of us SO often speak"
My business is not one of compll-
ment." said the baronet stittiy.
Il know Sir Harold Hartrey too we'll
TO suppose him capable OF such a
thing"
a truce to this. | am here upon
business"
Indeed rejoined Aunt Agatha. ele-
waiting her eyebrows. LAS you have
chosen 10 bring with you a person
whom my servants have received or
ders TO shut my door against, l con-
Clule he las some connection with
the business" .
'.He has indeed. He"
You need trouble yourself no fur
Their. | know your errand."
Then, madam interposed John
Gridley, Il hope You are prepared
Il am prepared 10 resist YOU" said
Miss Henwood. sternly; and as she
stood there. calm and resolute. facing
the two men. she did not look like one
over whom an easy victory could be
obtained.
Agatha, this is folly. You cannot
surely neal that you intend TO tight
against the laws OF your country"
The laws of human kindness are
more To me than those OF parliament"
she answered, stoutly. THE English
law may tell me to surrender a a
tiful young girl TO the arms of a cruel,
passionate man. who has entrapped
her into "A hasty marriage; but the law
of conscience tells me that if | do So,
l shall commit a sin; and | prefer TO
act up to the womanly instinct OF my
heart. and protect the poor girl from
her enemies
Il am her husband" said John Grid
ley. striving to speak calmly. she
married me of her own free will
DO not think to deceive me in that
paltry II Nay, it is useless
speaking: for l have Il knowledge OF
the whole history; and sooner than
surrender May TO your tender mercies,
L would furnish her with means TO
leave the country"
You may hide her where you will,
but | swear to you hat if you send her
TO the uttermost parts of h earth,
will seek her out"
I'm this case her opinion will not be
consulted. We are empowered to use
force, ii need be-"
Keep quiet" whispered the baronet.
Such speeches will only set her still
more against you. Leave all to me,
and | will arrange it satisfactorily"
John Gridley answered with a smile
of triumph.
Miss Henwood.'' said Sir Harold.
Il stand before you neither as a baro-
net nor as a brother, but as a magis-
trate. | am vested with the power of
the law, and in the name Of the law |
command you TO give up to the keeping
of her lawful husband, one May Grid
ley, whom you choose to keep con
cealed in your house"
And if | refuse"
Means will be resorted to compel
you"
Then resort to them. for / do re-
fuse"
surely. Agatha, you will not be SO
insane: you cannot know what you
are saying"
Miss Henwood must see the folly
OF acting contrary to the law" put in
John Gridley, in his blandest tones.
Miss Henwood sees no folly in act
ing as her conscience dictates. May
Rivers"
May Gridley. if you please. The
lady is my wife"
shall remain beneath my roof" con-
timed the old lady, needless of the
interruption, FOX as long a time as
she may think tit. Let her but express
a Nish ~ raw ~ L Nhl hOt utldlu
her a moment"
Good" said Miss Henwood, with a
look of whitening scorn. Zone poor.
feeble old woman cannot offer much
resistance TO two men. 1t would be a
glorious way to win a wife-an exploit
to boast of, surely. Tell it in Ports
mouth. that Sir Harold Hartrey, and
a low companion Of his, forced their
way into the chamber Of a sick girl,
and dragged her away from the place
where she was we'll cared for against
her will. to reside with a man she
hates, and with good cause. l tell
you. as long as my feeble arm can
avail, you shall not even see the girl"
She drew herself up and looked de-
family at the two men, who, unable
to intimldate her by words, hardly
knew What steps TO take to accomplish
their purpose.
Come, Agatha" said Sir Harold, in
milder tones; you are too ready to
jump at conclusions. We have no de-
sire to use force"
Gratifying assurance, indeed, Sir
Harold YOu and I have navar haan