The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1897-12-24


debasing guardianship. I would rather
die than give her up to a bondage that dis
hOnorS her SEX"
How dare you speak so to me, sir? I
will make you prove this dastardly accusa-
tion Who with any sense would credit the
vile fabrications of an hysterical girl, who,
in fit of childish temper, chooses to fling
aside the restraint society puts upon her,
and Want:ers away from home. like. a com.
mon tramp or gypsy wench, such as you
once picked out from her native mire?'
Your immOderate speech betrays your
own base heart; you insult yourself more
than you do me. Your ward was driven
from home by your insults. Your own con-
science is the best accuser; [ see by your
towards eyes you know speak the truth.
1t you are sensible you will 60 away in 81
lence, and leave your ward where she is
II am not quite an idiot, Mr.. Penfold.
You are young man, and may like to play
the part of Don Juan. ! must protect my
ward from such unfair influence. Where
is she: insist upon seeing her. She has
given me trouble enough, must assert my
authority. You know OF course that she is
under age?'
II know that if she were Of age you would
not rule a moment at Castle Cover. You
cannot see her; she has been very i'll, and is
i'll no fit state to see anyone. She gave me
message, which was that she will not ell
ter Castle Cover while you are there"
I'LL health is only paltry excuse; she
must and shall return if have to take her
away by force.'
you would have to lift her over MY dead
body if you carried heG away by force.''
'Sir, have no time to handy words with
you. Let me see my ward at once. have
authority, and evidently must exert it,
II tell you she is ill-totally unfit to be
bothered by you. She is not a child, and she
stays here at her own desre.''
Il have only your bare word for that"
The door opened slowly and Dorothy en-
tered, light in her eyes Pierce had never
seen before. She toycd with the ieweled
cross at her neck with the hand that was
adorned by her fathers masonic ring.
The two men locked at her as though she
was being from another world.
Pierce said entreatingly:
For Gods sake, go 10 your room, Dor
othy, and leave me to- deal with this man
alOne!'
II will go. Pierce, when have told him
that stay here Of my own free WILL You
saved me from being frozen to death my
life, my love, are yours. | am your promis-
ed wife, by that dear bond beg you to pro-
tect NE from that mans misused power.
He has tried to make me shame to my sex,
he has betrayed every tie of truth, and
friendship.
''To save myself from worse than death I
left my home to wander away knew not
whittier, until you found me, half-dead in
the snoW-dritt, when he made me desperate
by the wicked wrong he would have wrought
me had been weaker woman"
Dorothy looked hardly earthly, as she
stood like an accusing angel before the man
her dead mother had counted as king
among his fellows, and his bold eyes droop-
ed beneath the scornful fire of hers. His
voice was hOarse as he Kissed:
''You must come home with me; that man
has wife already"
ut is false! On, Pierce, my darling, tell
him it is false" she cred in agonised ac-
cents as she sank upon her knees before
them."
Pierce took her hand kindly, and assist
ing her to rise, said:
My dearest, had wife, but the law has
freed me from her for ever, OF l should not
have dared to sue for this dear hand. Stand
up, my love, and keep brave heart, no one
shall harm YOU"
''But yourself, suppose, sir. Don't listen
to him, Dorothy, he is telling an untruth. l
saw his wife but few days ago."
You saw my wife, as you choose to call
her-you saw Alison Lee? For the love of
mercy tell me quickly, had she my little
child with her? Where is sheep
Horace Middleton laughed unpleasantly,
while Dorothy bent forward, her lips apart,
In,, hn1, r11n nod ~, 4~ Z L. A.
fathers entrcaty
Il knowing nothing of the child The
mother is a fine woman, with plenty of
truant ward. Come, Dorothy, be quick and
sensible; the carriage is outside put on your
cloak and come. have no time to spare"
II will not come-wild horses should not
drag me back to the awful fate you wish to
doom me to.'
''You would rather stay as this mans mis-
tress, since you cannot be his wife. But
will not allow you to drag the name your
mother bore with honor into the dust Come,
say; if you will not shall carry YOU"
Lay not a finger on her, it you value
your life and beg her pardon on your knees
for the insult you have offered her before
me. Down, say, or will force you, you
cowardly liar!'
Pierce threw himself upon him, and tried
to force him down OH his knees. Blows were
struck, and curses exchanged, when quiet
voice said calmly:
Gentlemen, gentlemen, you are really
too old to play at leap-frog, and before q
lady too. Come away, my dear.''
DR.. Steel hastily led Dorothy out of the
room, then returned and said, as he tried to
Dart the two cOmhatants.
ttGnnan nanflolo1, all ],