Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-10-29
CHAPTER Y
The Pistol Shot.

Sir Harold Hartrey felt n great load
taken off his mind when he learned
that Nav was the wife of John Grid
ley, for in the letter he had received
from his son.. giving an account OF his
forcible abduction from England there
were several illusions 70 the peasant
girl whom he intended 10 make his
wife. and the old baronet knew Ernest
too Well 10 suppose him capable OF re
linquishing IN object upon obtafnins
which he had set his heart.
The time was rapidly approaching
when he might expect to welcome his
only son home again; and he could not
help rejoicing and being inwardly
thankful that Ernest's compulsory
voyage TO Barbadoes had altogether
put an end to an alliance which would
have given his proud spirit infinite
pain.
Fully determined upon removing his
wife from Blackjack. John Gridley hard
made a second visit to Miss Hen
woods residence. but with ever less
success than before, for he was not
even permitted 10 enter the house.
May had recovered sufficiently to
converse; and. as Aunt Agatha deemed
it important that she should know the
exact truth of the marriage, she bad
ventured TO breach the subject To,
May. who, with many tears and en-
treaties for protection. had narrated
how she had sacrificed herself TO pro-
cure her fathers liberation from
prison.
BE sure. my dear said Miss Hen
wood kindly. that you shall remain an
inmate of this house for as long a time
as you ma desire. You need not fear
John Gridley. He cannot force his way
here
She meant fully what she said, but
she little knew who she had TO deal
with when she spoke thus of quietly
getting rid of a man who had deter
mined that, come what might, poor lit
tie May should be made TO repent
having deceived Uninterrupted him into
giving an acknowledgment of the debt
by which he had held his power over
Matthew Rivers, and then deserted
him. leaving him foiled and baffied in
what he had believed TO be his hour OF
triumph.
May was his lawfully welded wife.
and Miss Henwood had no right TO
keep her from him: but she determined
size NOIlu lDI jill tlit, anu 81 III Uuui
the poor girl who had thrown herself
upon her for protection.
Fooled a second time in obtaining an
interview with his wife John Gridley
left Blackjack. his face transformed
with passion, his brow lowering. his
hands clenched. and as he strobe along
the road TO Chichester he vowed that
May should yet he his.
To Hartrey Park he betook himself
and sought and obtained a second in
terview with its owner.
Sir Harold. between whom AMI his
sister there "a as already stated. lit
tie love lost. was indignant ut tire
curse she chose TO pursue in detaining
May from her husband, and IT required
but little persuasion on the part Of
Gridley to induce Sir Harold TO prom
Use on the folio wing day 70 ride over
to Blackjack 10 argue with Miss Hen
wood IN the subject ami inform her OF
the illegality Of her proceedings.
1t was Il lovely autumn morning. and
May. now convalescent. at the win
dow of the comfortable little room
which Miss fienwood had given up to
her.
She was pale ana thin from the eff
fleets OF her recent illness. but yet there
beamed in her face a wondrous beauty,
a more refined loveliness than when
she had been a belle of Annadale, the
masters daughter.
h had Striven. and with tolerable
success. to Danish all thoughts of Ern-
est Hartrey from her mind: for she
knew. that though she might be sepa-
rated from her husband, she was none
the less married.
And where was Ernest Hartrey?
He was much nearer to her than she
imagined. He was returning to Eng
land: he was close to its white cliffs
and would soon be seeking his bride.
Who would break the news to him
and how would he bear it?
As she sat listlessly gazing from the
easement, longing for the time when
she would be strong enough to saunter
on the smooth green lawn, or ramble
beneath the splendid trees which made
the grounds Of Blackjack park-like in
appearance, she saw a numbering. open
chariot coming up the steep ascent
through the grounds.
The chariot contained two gentlemen
--one, an aristocratic, well dressed
man of rather imposing appearance:
the ether
Her heart beat violently, the color
rose TO her face rs she leaned oagerlv
forward TO ascertain who was the Sec
ond occupant OF the vehicle.
1t was John Gridley.
She sank back terrified I'm her scat
as she recognized Her husband. Her
tay.rpr nf him in.raaoal aa;y.