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

A hand laid somewhat roughly
upon the girls shoulder reused her
from that fit of gries She looked
up. halt d~reading to see Sir Laur-
ence again by her side. But it was
her father. who stood there. One
look from his Sc. and lowering face
told her that it was almost useless
to plead her cause with him.
.'Father there was a woman here
to-day q lady"
,Pshaw!! What time have / to
stand here listening to your tales of
ladies': We must be on our way in
two hours, Rose, or 1 must be escap-
ing by myself that is the plain
English Of the business"
"Wait-bear me one moment.
This lady knew much of Sir Laur-
ence. She said she could save me
from him. She told me to show
HIM this. and he would never modest
me again"
"A %sparkler!. And did you show
it to him?'
..No.n
"Why not?:"
'.She told me to ask him a oues.
ton. and when he heard it he fell
into such a paroxysm of rage and
fear | dared not show him the ring.
He looked as if he a. dying. father,
when | said those words"
land what wonderful words were
they them"
What was Isora's bridal vow:?'"
'.And he seemed startled
STARTLED is no word for the agita-
ton Sir Laurence manifested, father.
He was like a man who saw a spirit
stand before him. In fact he said
that he had seen Il ghost of his
youth rise up suddenly in his path,
and babe me question him no more
about it,
''Hem! And this 'ady-did he see
her:9'
Il cannot tell. But from the
words that fell from him afterward,
[ thought lie had at least caught a
glimpse Of her."
''lt is strange-very strange" said
John Allwynne, musingly.
Rose hearing this took heart OF
grace.
$50 strange, father, that I think /
ought to know what his words aud
action meant before [ become his
wife"
$50 you re barking back to the
old scent again, are you? 1t won't
do, lass, it won't do. Ill see Sir
Laurence myself about this matter,
and have a full explanation before
you r Lady Gray. You can leave
your honor safely in your fathers
care, my girl. And now hasten into
the house and get ready such thing:
as you need, for in an hours time
we must be on our way"
Rose wrung her hands despair
ingly. then glanced toward the dis,
tant pool, and grew strangely calm.
lie followed his daughter in the
cottage, and began his own prepare
tions for departure. without saying
another word to her upon the sub.
ject which was engrossing the
thoughts Of both.
She on her part was equally 81
lent. And when all was in readiness
they sat down, side by side (yet
with what a wide mental gulf be
tween themD to await the coming O
the carriage which Sir Laurence hae
promised to send for them in case
he could not come IN person to es
/ cort her to the Hall.
At twilight the conveyance came
"a plain, close carriage, with
coachman and footman in attend.
ance, the latter of whom presented
Rose with a sealed note.
She opened it and read as follows:
Sudden and unex pected business prevent
my accomp Enying you through tn, forest, m,
deare st Rose Go YOU will your father, AM
viii meet you in Southampton.
LAURENCE
She handed it to her father with.
out a word, and allowed him to leaG
her to the carriage. Tears we're il
her eyes as she bent forward in he
seat to see him fasten the cottag,
door-tears that fell fast as sh'
passed by the quiet, woodland pool
But she said nothing. Their jour
neg through the forest was a sad an.
silent one; for John Allwynne him
self seemed wrapped up in a reverb
of his own.
At Southampton Sir Laurence me
them and handed Rose, with defer
ence and respect, from the carriag'
to the train, which was already i
waiting. In five minutes more the
we're off past the power of returning
even if they had wished to do SO.
lro BE CONTINUED