Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-11-05

here to defend her. Exert your power
YOU dare not. | see 1T in your looks.
Agatha. / came here myself, WIN
Mr.. Gridley. to spare you unnecessary
pain-to tell you that you were act,hs
i~llegally-and to urge you 20 apahuon
your Quixotic notion of shielding inns
girl from her lawful protector. what
other motive could | ave had!
"A much stronger ne. DO you thinA
such shallow subterfuges VIII deceive
me. You should know me better nan
that. after all these years. -,
Il do not understand you. madam.
Then | will explain. You are u
cold. hard. cruel. selfish man, win no
thoughts but for your own aggran-
disement. You would prevent your
sons marrying Ii whom he ioVed, III
order that you might tack a rev more
acres on 10 your estate. You THIN
more of fifty thousand pounds than
Ernest's happiness; and you Wouiu
rather be a connection OF l.ord Ioi-
] chester's than the father OF a Joyous
SON"
1T is absurd to talk thus. h young
person with whom my son was uhiot-
tunate enough 10 contract an guar
ance is now married, and consequehlly
| can be actuated by no such Ieei-
ings."
Il know better; if you believe your
own words YOU deceive yourself. You
would see her victimiZed made the
slave of that passionate man, who first
thought To buy a wife, ana now 10
seize one by torce-in order that al
possibility OF a union between her ana
your son might be at an end"
gnhn tfytllny. tNViEfAH his n1itlS To-
getller in impotent rage.
You would so mix up truth with
f~alsehoad.' continued Miss Henwood,
that you would succeed in poisoning
his mind against the girl who Owed
and loves him truly; whose affection
has never wavered. and who hates
that man who stands. white-taced anu
trembling by your side. with as much
hate as he deserves for his coWardly,
unmanly conduct"
John Gridley WINGED at the words.
II speak as | feel" strongly contln-
ued Aunt Agatha. THAT man is no
more fitted TO be her husband than he
is TO occupy the position of an honor
able gentleman. Sir Harold, IL you
have Il spark Of c~tiydiry left III your
nature, you will feel heartily ashamed
of your share i'll this matter, and Will
atone for il by Immediately removing
your friend from my premises. rs a
relative. | shall be pleased TO see you,
if you deign Il honor me with a visit;
but on this subject do not let a word
pass your lips"
But Sir Harold. Barunet, felt slight
ly uncomfortable. lie hardly knew
how ii came To pass: but still ii WAS
evident he was z letting thew worst OF 1t.
John Gridley, beneath a tolerably
placid exterior, was raging with the
fire Of fierce passion.
If" resumed the baronet, ''you are
keeping the girl concealed here, in the
belief that she may one day become
my sons wife. you are lab0ring under
a strange delusion. 1t is an impossi-
bility."
You judge others by yourself. Sir
Harold. and imagine that every one
has some other reason besides the ap-
parent oae for their acts. 1t is solely
for Mays sake that | protect her; she
would be miserable anywhere but
here; SO beneath my roof she remains.
| have answered your demand-now
go.,"
"If Ernest were only nov here"
ItoN 40 AANACs oaAu " WIN ct il-
door.
All three turned. and there, pale aud
jaded. bronzed and bearded, stood Err
nest Hartrey.
His father gave him but a cold wei
come-his aunt a warn one.
No sooner did his eyes rest upon
John Gridley, however, than he
marched up to him and looked him full
in the face.
Have you eve seen me before?' he
asked.
"Ne-ever," stammered the other.
""Tis false; | should know you
among a thousand-thief. and would
be assassin that you are
Ernest, as he spoke, laid his hand
upon the shoulder of the other, ana
grasped him with a grasp of iron.
Ernest. surely, you forget your
self" said his father, angrily.
'.Sir Harold" said Gridley, pleading.
ly, save me from your son. Tell him
he is mistaken"
Speak, Ernest: say of what you &C.
cuse that pitiful creature"
"Ay. | will speak" said the Young
a hoarsely, as he pressed his hand
heavier and still heavier upon the
othNi aAhi. viii speak, OUT not
yet. o villain. What have you to
urge in your defense?"
You gre mistaken. sir; | have never
seen you before to-day" said John
Gridley, how that he had recovered
somewhat of his ordinary composure.
AT the same time that he spoke. h.
stroye. though in vain, to free himself
from the OBTAINING grasp.
Both Sir Harold and Miss Henwood
stood amazed. They knew not what
he cene meant.
you miserable %scoundrel-" cried
Ernest Eartrey, you thought
to have olne off victorious. but Won
are beaten at last. My life was IRE.
served. though no thanks to Won, The
thousand pounds Of which YOU robbed
me is nothing. but you have stolen
from rae that which was far more
precious: ysu have robbed me of her
FOR whom l have endured and suffered
much. We are well met here, Yon
shall answer for your conductr"
Il VIII not fight" said Gridiey.
Fight! Do you suppose I would
1 G0ndaSlafld RI that xxr;tl. .....,,