Turner County herald. (Hurley, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1896-08-27
CHAPTER ".
The Course of True Love.

When David Deacon retailcd tue lit
tie piece of gossip concerning Ernest
Hartrcy and Lord Porchester's daugh-
ter he little thought of the effect it
would have upon one of his listeners.
Yet she must have heard it SCORER or
later. Perhaps it was better she should
know it at once.
so ran the worthy mans thoughts,
as he saw his niece stretched on the
sofa III IL d"ath-like swoon.
lie could not understand it's cause,
Tor he knew nothing OF the last inter-
view she had had with The young
squire.
He little knew of the pang which
shot through her ncart whan she heard
his words-the pain which thrilled her
l!alne--the tumultuous thoughts which
crowded to her mind. He little knew
Il the bitter pain that news caused
-"
She loved this nan-shis Ernest
lartrey; and lie. by his words. spoken
but an hour before. led her 20 believe
that he returned her affection; vet all
the While he was but tritiing with her
Sincerity formed no part of that
speech he made her He would have
deceived her-he bad deceived her. He
was plighted to another, and yet
dared whisper words of love to her.
Her idol was fallen. indeed, She
could not have believed him capable of
such deed, vet no doubt of the truth
tulncSS OF th" rcpoi; entered iler ,niad.
Was it not moro probable that n bar
onets son should wed the daughter of
marquis than Il maltster? Yet it
was Il bitter blow to her-one almost
more than she could bear.
When she recovered from her faint
ing fit. Mrs. Deacon would have uues-
toned her, but she silenced her at
once.
ASK me no questions. said she, 'for
l cannot answer them: let me be quiet,
for | have much to bear
They respected her WISH though
they pitied her weakness.
Tcartully she bade them all
goodnight, hardly daring to trust
herself to speak; and slowly she re-
tired to her own room to pass a sleep
less night Of misery.
Al first it seemed to her as if life
were no longer worth having; but as
her fcvered brain grew cooler and she
could think more calmly, her sense
showed her that there was but one
coulse which she could safely adopt.
She must leave the place at once
and in the tranquility of Annadale
strive her utmost to forget every Incl
dert of her bright day-dream
Il Ernest should seek her before She
Went? she could net resolve what she
would do in that ease
She felt she could not trust herself to
speak to him, 10 uphraid him with his
conduct, She doubted her own firm
ness too much TO allow her to speak
again to him who, by his speech, had
So cruelty wrongcd her
ooh. that | had never come here!"
she cried. aloud, thai l had never
seen himr'
Restlessly she tossed her aching head
upon the pillow; but it was not till the
pale light Of morning quivercd at her
window that She sobbed herself to
sleep.
For some days she was too unwell to
leave the house. Her bright. active,
spirited nature was gone; and no one
would have known her for the same
young girl who laughed and prattled
SO Gaily with her uncle during that
drive from Alyerton
Poor May! The troubles of life had
commenced early for her.
1t was not until two days before her
departure for home that May felt pos
sessed of the strength, or the inclina-
tion to walk abroad: but fine glow
ing autumn day, with a calm blue sea,
and rich russet woodland, tempted
her forth with her cousin
Slowly they paced together by the
sea. both more occupied with their own
thoughts than with conversation;
when, to the surprise Of both, and to
the terror of one, they came face to
face with Ernest Hartrey
The red blood rose into Mays cheek.
but she took no notice of the DrOffered
hand; while Rose tidgetted uneasily.
for she knew this meeting was the
thins, of all others, to be avoided.
Good day, ladies' said Ernest Har-
trey MISS Rivers, have been hoping
to see for some days past; but, till now,
my hope has not been gratiiied'
May bowed, but made no verbal re-
sponse.
you will, 1 trust, excuse me,
Miss Rivers" continued the young
squire, ''but have something |
particularly wish to say to you. May
l ask you to grant me few minutes
private conversational"
MY cousin has not been well,' said
Rose, hastily. 4 cannot leave her
alone"
"Excuse me again. said Ernest, po-
litely. ''but it is a after of much i'm
portance, and | can only take an am
swer from Miss Rivers"
May, whose blush had faded away,
leaving her deathly pale. hesitatel.
You must not think of it, whispered
Rose in her cousins ear.
DO not refuse, Miss Rivars-I will
not det;Lin you many minutes"
May, with an air of determination.
turned to her cousin and said, aloud:
''There can be no harm in hearing
what Mr. Hartrey has to say. We will
walk little along the shore, and
will return to you directly"
"Thank you-thanl1 you q thousand
times" said Ernest, with a look of
deep gratitude.
Rose disapproved, but ere she could
frame her thoughts the others were
some distance in front of her. Slowly