Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-08-27

acted as his ambassador.
a dreadful doubt chilled poor May
os she heard these words. Had IT been
ernest Hartrey OF whom her father
spoke his language would surely have
been different.
who is it whom you would have me
love?' she asked in a faint voice
dreading at the same time TO heal MS
reply.
.yyho should it be, but John Grid
ley:"
Nav shuddered and turned away her
face. She knew she could never bring
herself to love that man.
why do you not answer, May!
Surely, you cannot object to him? His
face. his manners, his position-all are
in his favor
May covered her face with her
hands.
Tell me. May, what answer l am to
give him from you"
May raised her head. Her cheeks
had lost their color and she was ashy
pale.
TELL him." she said tirmly-"tell him
| cannot be his wife,
"Oh. May, May. think well before
YOU answer thus! You do not know
how much your reply ~inyolves-you
can never Know"
Il could not love him, father, even if
=
"Even-if what? SpeGk-tell me what
You mean"
Il only mean, father. that | cannot,
cannot marry him. answered May:
and her thoughts ran: "Oh, II | could
only tell him how much | love another
how Ernest Hartrey is my first and
only lovc-how | can neyer wed any
but he:'
Then the promise she had made re-
Cured to her mind. and she felt that
on this subject she was t~ongue-tied.
May said Matthew Rivers-and
his voice was stern and sorrowfui-"l
had hoped for n far different reply 70
this. | would never attempt TO fc~
your inclinatiOns, but reflect ere
make n final decision. You do /.
know how much is at stake. you can
not guess how much this miscarriage
Of all my plans would affect me. l
have ever been a loving father to you.
Can you not make me some RETURN
Then his voice changed to one OF
supplication. 80, think we'll of what |
say" he continued. Try if you can
not love John Gridley. DO not decide
at once against him. o. if you would
but agree to his proposal, ii would be
the happiest hour of my life!"
but, father. why are you So eager.
when tell you | cannot love him!"
why an, | eager2 Because my hon
is at stake-because this wedding
n alone save me from RUM"
''Fatber-father surely you talk wild
ly. Ii cannot be as you say!."
1T is-it isr' groaned Matthew Riv-
ers.
Tell me all father.-let me know
the worst"
NO, mol cannot tell ycu now. But
| know that what say is true, and
that your refusal is my ruin!'
"Oh. what must do-what must !
doF' sobbed poor May.
Say that you will marry him.
mo. mol cannot! If you knew all
yon would not press me!'
For mercy's sake. delay your final
answer" said Maithtw Rivers. This
day week we will talk again Of the
AiFiiiti a lily. NLtN, uailItlG, II Ntit
love me, TO think Of it differently by
then"
May shook her head, for she knew
how impossible ii would be for her to
marry John Gridlav. Her heart was
no longer hers to give; and even had
she been willing tn sacrifice herself for
her father. she felt that she could not
go through the inockcry OF standing nj
the altar with IL ran when her whole
affection was centcrcd on another.
lie me tell him he may hope
urged Ter father.
No! 1t would be wrong to mislead
him."
but you will think over all ! have
and try to alter your present de-
.terminationf"
Il will think over what Won have
father; but | do not believe if
possible that | can change my mind on
the subject"
Matthew Grid,ey let his head sink
down upon his arms, which were
crossed upon h table, and remained
III that attitude for some time.
When he again raised his head II was
TO study the book lying before him.
anu he said no more to his daughter
the subject of her marriage with
'oin Grldley until they parted for the
light.
Remember, May-this day week.,
1t was all he said; but the words
We're fraught with a terrible signih-
,ance to the poor, fearful girl to whom
they were addressed.
What could it mean?" Nav asked
herself. What could be the ruin
hanging over her fathers head and
which her marriage with John GridIey
could avert? What was this terrible |
mystery which had so aged her father
turing the few weeks of ker ABSENCE
Again and again she sought for an
but it was beyond her
comprehension. Could she AXE the
.cquircd sacrifice to save her ratber9
she answered, unhesitatingly. i'm fbc
negative, She was not called upou
me argued with herself, TO give mn nil
nat was dear to her, even though SO
much was at stake.
The days passed slowly and YEARLY
y. III sun shone and the flowers
ioomed The rich hues of autumn
lhted the tire IS; but all Undecided Inv
,oor May, who, like one in q trance
walked listlessly about the hansc ,y;.,,
yes only for tile face of ber Kind foth