The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1896-07-24
Isora's Bridal Vow.
BY BLoUNr.
CHAPTER TX.

~AOSl SAOlUlLS
the sleeping child, and kissing the
tiny white hand that laid outside the
c~overlet he devoted himself to his
duties in the shop below, assisted
and encouraged by Mrs. Trotter, who
was congratulating herself all the
while upon the efficient aid she had
secured.
They breakfasted together and
when the postman came by there
was aletter from Hampshire Gas Mrs.
Trotter had predicted), written by
Tins mother and detailing at some
length the symptoms and treatment
of a heavy cold. caught by that
young gentleman, which would pre-
vent her acceding to her aunt's de-
sires for some time to come. In the
meantime the pettitoes should be
forwarded by express, and the writer
vas her loving sister till death, etc.
Mrs. Irotter read it through and
locked it up in her secretary with a
jolly laugh.
1--WE do not want Tim here now, do
we, Rudolph? And you shall write
a letter for me to her this very even
ing to say so. Tim never was worth
his salt to work, and [ never should
have thought of sending for him
only | was at my wits end what to
do, that wretched man had bothered
me So"
At nine o'clock in the evening the
shop was closed, and Rudolph was
putting up the shutters, and whistl-
ing gaily over his completed tasks,
when. of a sudden. a woman, dressed
in black and closely yelled, came
round the corner of a side street, and
stood beside him.
With n gloved hand she held her
veil tightly over her face; the other
she laid upon his arm.
.'What is your name?" she said in
allow, clear voice.
Rudolph looked q little surprised
at the question, but answered it civ
lily enough.
.'Do you live here" she asked,
looking up at the shop.
II do"
..Have you been here long,"
.'Only since last night"
..Ah!"
She said no more for a moment or
two, but the lad felt that a pair of
piercing eyes were studying him
from head to foot. At last she said:
..You came here last night only?
Do you know if there is a young
child within the house,"
'.There is one"
And now it was the boys turn to
look earnestly at her.
IA fo~undling?"
eyes; l picked it up myself be-
meath the Bar"
..What is to be done with it?"
.'Mrs. Trotter will keep 1t. Money
vas sent with it; it's clothes are
magnificent, and"
THAT is we'll. I merely wished
to satisfy myself that the child was
properly cared for. Tell the woman
Of the house that if she does her
duty by the child she will be we'll re-
warded, and when the proper time
comes the infant will be claimed.
Remember this. Your own fortune,
boy, may hang upon the welfare of
that helpless child"
She was turning away when Ru-
dolph caught her by the arm.
.'Pardon me, madam, for what I
am about to say. ! will work and
care for the child even if no more
money should be sent. She shall
never want a home while l have
health and strength; but oh,
madam
..Well," said the woman impa-
tiently as he paused.
ssAre you her mother"
She started away from him as if
he had struck her.
81! Pshaw' What folly have you
in your head now? The child
is nothing to me, only take care Of
her as you value your own future;
that is all. good night"
She vanished down the little street
as she spoke, and listening for a
moment he heard the dull rumble of
a carriage driving slowly over the
stones. He finished his task, and
going into the house, related what
he had seen and heard to Mrs. Trot-
ter, who sal hushlng the infant be-
fore a cozy fire. That good lady
opened her eyes widely. The whole
thing she averred was almost too
much like a novel to happen to peo-
pie in real life. But come what
would they would be kind to the