The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1896-06-26

possible, and see ii that or anything
else will do me good.'' he added to
himself In an under tone.
There are many preparations to
De made" she began. hesitatlngly.
Away with them all. I'll hear OF
none! Come to me as you are! I
want you, Rose. and l must have
you. Listen. A week from to-day
shall be the time; and then we will
go straight to London and you can
buy all you want there with me to
ounsel and advise YOU"
k'But Sir Laurence
tslNot a word! Not a word! I'll
lot hear it! shall send my house
.Nsseper down to you to-day. There
are chests Of inery at the hall,
snolgh to dress out forty ladies.
eFensas fair as your bonny self, and
shc and you, and anyone you like tx
Call tofyour assistance. must manage
b matter between you. | shall
send for a special license at once,
and in a weeks time I'll be a mar
ried man, Rose. Not a word. Not
a word! | shall see your father at
the hall. Obey US both. and if
kindness, and rank, and wealth. and
luxury combined, can make you
happy, you shall never regret the
day that makes you mine. Farewell.
Rose-l will come again to you to-
morrow"
He went in good earnest this
time, and she remained at the open
window lost in painful thought for a
long time. AS she was about to
turn from the window her ear caught
the sound Of horses hoofs upon the
green and springy turf beyond the
garden.
Nearer and nearer came the
sounds, and then with a brea5hles S,
headlong rush, a powerful black
hunter swept by, bearing a lady
rider on horseback.
She passed the cottage at a hand
gallop; then with a sudden tighten
ing OF the bride, wheeled round,
and the next moment the we'll
trained and delicate mouthed ami
NAL stood still as a statue, though a
slight CULVER ran through every vein
and muscle with the speed Of the
pace and the check.
He dashed his long tail impatiently
about as he stood, paved daintily
with one hoof, and turned his dark
eyes backward, as with arching
neck he champed ." the bit, and
sent flakes OF foam lying over the
riders dress.
But still the lady stirred not
still her eyes were bent upon the
cottage window where Rose still
stood, though her slack hand loos-
ened the rein, and her proud head
bent a little upon her breast.
She was, in truth, like a beautiful
picture-rivaling even that in the
woodbfne frame-as she rested
there. Sitting squarely down in the
saddle, her shoulders 'even with
her horses ears" her light hand
holding-not resting upon--the snaf-
fe rein, while the curb hung loose
from her fingers, the tip of her
dainty foot just resting in the fat
stirrup, she looked the thorough
horsewoman in every sense Of the
word. Without one change of posi-
ton, by simply tightening the curb
and holding her horse we'll together,
Rose felt that she might clear the
cottage pailings the next instant,
without being shaken or decomposed
by the leap, high as it might be.
Rose felt this, | say, and admired
the stately grace Of the unknown
rider-the beauty of the steed. But
something in the fixed gaze that
never left her face, troubled and
annoyed her, she could not say why.
Had the intruder been of her own
age. she would have gone out and
accosted her without delay.
But the mature ~fulness Of the
splendid form, as we'll as the worn
and sad expression of the face show
ed that the stranger had been
tasting the joys and sorrows of life,
while Rose yet lay smiling in her
l.cradle.
The black horse, obedient to the
j slightest gesture of his mistress,
moved a step or two carer the gate.
The lady gave a hurried glance
round the garden and at the house,
then fixed her wild black ayes once
more upon Rose.
care you alone?" she asked in 9
deep musical voice, that had some
thing foreign in its tone.
Yes. madam" replied Rose,
blushing deeply.
II am fatigued. I have ridden
fast and far this morning"
'.Will you alight here" said the
girl, advancing to the door. "Ou,