The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1897-09-03

from evil. This
thought strengthened me, and 1 was
able to face my interrogation. But, all
the same, it vas a great modification
to feel that in order to explain matters
to this man I must, as it were, lay bare
my most sensitive feelings.
"YOu know my true name?' I asked.
mo. But l have seen you some
where-Vienna, Paris-I forget where.
Then you were not called Vane.'
my lame is Julian Lorraine"
Julian L%oraine,' he repeated, mus
ingly. II have heard that name in the
world, and with little good attached to
1t. But it could not have referred to
yourself. You are too young. But your
reason for deception? Speak" he
said, fiercely.
l curbed my rising anger, and, as
as we'll AS l could, told him why I had
wooed Viola under a false name. I
think he believed me, but I saw scorn
on his face as he listened.
"The act of a FOOL" he said. "Mr.
Lorraine, such romantic affairs should
be left to poets and novelists. Viola
Keith would need no riches nor poverty
with the man she loved. I tell you, if
l were to go tomorrow and make
known to her your doubt of her single
he%artedness, I could shatter the whole
fabric of your happiness. Why should
I not do SOP"
1T would be the act of a fiend," I
said.
He laughed, not pleasantly. Eyes,
1t would. 7 will not do it. I will even
keep your secret, and let you carry out
your ridiculous plan. But 1 will also
do this: I will follow you on your we'd
ding morning, and see with my own
eyes that you have married Miss Keith
in your right name. Mo-" he said,
seeing I was ready to spring from my
no protest. You have brought this up
on yourself. You have given me the
right to mistrust you"
"Will you be good enough to show me
the right by which you interfere at
sll?" I said.
Until her t~wenty-first birthday l
am Miss Keith's guardian."
"A very young one," I sneered.
eyes; but older than you think. Her
mother died six years ago. I was then
thirty; she thought me old enough to
be her child's guardian, and l will see
the trust to the end"
The meaning thrown into the last
sentence did not escape me. It i'm
piled that he still viewed me with dis
trust. My anger was thoroughly
aroused.
perhaps, Mr.. Grant," I said, there is
a nearer and dearer right you wish to
exercise over your ward-one which she
herself alone a bestow."
He drew himself up to his full height.
THAT, sir" he said, calmly, sis ungen-
erous. I had hoped that my love for
Miss Keith was a matter unknown to
all save myself. I love her as it may be
beyond your power to love a woman.
l would lay down my life for her far
more easily than to-day ! lay down my
love. Yet I do this, and to you, M
AA'oA, SoA ooy, lane llSI, duu mdkG
her happy-make her happy"
The repetition Of the last three words
was not a wish; it was a command, a
threat.
Grant was still standing above me,
and as I looked at him I saw that his
face was pale, and on his forehead
were drops of moisture. His appear
ance almost startled ME; but I said
nothing. I rose, and wished him good
night. Somehow, in spite of the dislike
with which the man had inspired me,
there was about him a strength and
dignity which impressed me more than
I cared to own. He accompanied me to
the door. When it closed l paused for
q moment to light one OF my own cigars.