Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-03-19

A HINsih w N'hs -
TremblincIy Alma arose and recedel
to her chair, where she sat with pailia
cheeks, clasped hands. n WlsEuI
eyes still fixed upon the stern, white
face Of that strange mother.
Alma" said the lady, colby. Il 40
not mean to deal in mysteries. L learned
this morning from the old g~arueher'
Denny-who begged an interview WIN
me for the purpose of making q com-
nunication which he deemed IT MS duty
to make-that YOU had an interview
with Cant. Montrose in the woods behlhn
the house last evening. At least ne
met YOU lettering there and a rev
| minutes later met Capt. Montrose 60
ing toward you. He inferred that there
was an interview and an appointment.
Alma. was the old man right:
Mamma said Alma. seeking 10
hide her fiery bushes with both hands.
..Yes. he told you the truth; but, on
mamma, hear my defense
Not now-not until | am done
speaking. dismissed the old man
with thanks for his fidelity and win
an Injunction TO silence, which am
sure that he will observe for your
| sake: for be assured. Alma, b a such
interviews seriously compromise the
fair fame of a young girl =.
Mamma. oh. let me explain
again interrupted Alma. who seemed
unable TO bear for an instant the I'M
piled reproach In her mothers words
Not vet: not yet. Alma; hear me
ont. After thinking over the Old a :
story I came to the conclusion that the
Interview of yesterday might nave
been accidental
1T was indeed partly so. mamma
And that il might or might not
have resulted in an appointment Tor
TINS evening. | did not wish TO accuse
you wrongfully, so ! resolved TO de-
tain YOU in this room and observe your
manner. AID, Alma. your W res
l~essness and anxiety hav revealed 10
me that you had made such an ap-
| pointment with Capt. Montrose TINS
evening. Is it not OF
Yes, mamma yes; but hear me n
forgive me-"
..Presently-presently but let me tell
rot first that the days of romanc II
poetry, of troubadours and knights.
and damsels-errant have passed ages
and ages ago. You cannot bring ro-
nance into your real life. except at
the cost Of your fair fame. And L
would not have a single ev~anescent
| cloud pass before that which should
be as bright as Il clear summer day
for it is the only bright thing in your
life, Alma"
And my fair fame shall continue
bright. oh! trust me and be-
| lieye itr' SAID Alma earnestly.
Not if these interviews are repeat
| Oh - -.aplipI tho lady pOlUly.
Mamma, an angel might have been
present at our meeting without of
Tense to its heavenly nature" insisted
Alma f%ervently.
"And yet not even an angels teSti-
mony would be taken for that
'Oh, mammal"
Nay, / do not doubt your word. girl,
nor blame you much; but do very Sc
yerely censure the conduct of Capt.
Montrose. who. as a mar of the world,
knew Wen how seriously he cOmpro-
missed yoU," said Mrs. Elyerton very
sternly.
Mammal, mamma, he is not TO be
censuredr,' exclaimed Alma warmly.
Not for persuading an inexpsri-
enced young girl of high rank To give
him interviews in the woods: What
DO you meah.'
Mamma. hear me. Capt. Montrose
wished nothing better than your sane
ton TO pay his addresses openly to
your daughter. He wrote TO you and
wrote to my grandfather earnestly en-
treating such sanction, and his over
lures were rejected by both"
And properly so"
And why, mamma? Oh, why? He
Is inly o nantlasNan nf nnninnt
family of unblemished character and
of good position. Why were his pro-
posals so CURLY rejected? At least,
dear mamma. you owe ii to me to give
a reason" pleaded Alma.
1T should be a reason sufficient to
satisfy you. Alma. that nei,ner Lord
Elverton nor myself chose TO favor his
addresses"
"But it is not. mamma, Ny beating
heart cannot be answered so." said
Alma. earnestly.
Then L have no other answer TO
give you, Miss Elverton" said the
LADY. freeezingly.
"Oh, mother, mother, do not speak
to me so coldly; if You knew how sad
my life is you would not do it! But.
mother, let me talk to you a little of
Norham," prayed Alma.
"In my youth, and in my country,
young ladies never talked Of their low
ers, but blushed when others named
them. / know not. however, but that
a few years of time and a few miles
Of space may alter CUSTOMS said
Mrs. Elyerton. ironically.
II know not. mammal: but IL any.
where young women blush to hear
their lovers named, 1t must be be.
cause they are happy in their loves;
for, If it were otherwise, it seems to
m" that their cheeks would pale, no,
REDEEM"
And yours should blanch to marble
girl. at the name of love or MARRIAGE
said the lady, in a low, stern, SAD
voice.
Mamma, mamma. will you let me
speak to you from my heart this
once?'
The lady did not reply. and hei
daughter continued:
y 'Oh. let me speak to you freely
my mother. To whom can l speak. Il
not to you? oh, hear me.--for whs
will hear me IL not you? Whom hsv.
I in the world but yOu2 And moth