The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1896-07-03

~ dread and fear him, and vet
am his plighted wife. Each day that
brings our marriage nearer will
wiring my heart the more. If YOU
Will only use the influence in my
behalf, If You will only persuade him
TO resign this mad idea of wedding
one SO far beneath him-oh, lady,
the prayers OF Il grateful heart Will
follow you forever, during your
whole life"
'Nhy. 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 a give you:w
"No."
perhaps you love another:a"
Rose burst into tears.
Il did; l do; l shall always love
him" she sobbed.
why does he not come to your
rescue? Why does he tamely let
Sir Laurence beau you away"
''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 you:"
Gle is in league with Sir Laurence
to break my heart" said Rose, wild
ly. They are forcing me into this
marriage, and think that the paltry
toys they give me will take away
tho pain [ feel. But they will see
how they have mistaken me when
they stand beside my grave"
Cut! You are too young and fair
to talk OF dying. You shall live. /
wish with all my heart that your
young lover might have been 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"
"And when is the wedding day?"'
''One week from this"
'.He gives you little time for prep
aration. How many months have
passed since your lover died."
''Not one," said Rose, in a low
voice.
why, this is worse than heather
cruelty. And your own father to
urge on the sacrifice"
Rose caught her hand and kissed
ii. sob, don't be angry; do not ask
me to reveal my fathers secret.
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 not 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 answers"
THAT he would release me, but il
he did SO the law must take its
course"
1.-The law? Then has your father
UIdloS ECooCu IL! #-.
Rose was silent, but her pleading
look answered for her.
SWELL ] will ask no more. I will
not tempt SO good a daughter to be.
tray her fathers secret. But in this
matter | can aid you and | will. Fol
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 vow?' ]
warrant you the words will make
him change color and set him tc
thinking of his own affairs to C1e
exclusion OF yours"
.sWhat was 1sora's bridal vow?'
repeated Rose, with a b%ewildered air.
Eyes, those are the words. Dc
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 lsora's bridal vow:?'n she
added, wildly. 'Aye, what was it,
indeed? It will be we'll for him il
he remembers it in time and guides
his course accordingly"
'.And if he asks me what l mean
and where ! heard those wordsM