The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1897-12-03
A Winter NiQlt;;
OR,
Found in a Snow-Drift,
CHAPTER ".

CHATTER IV.--CONrINUND.
Il will do as you wish, ,Jem on one con-
ALTON, ana that is that we talle,my child
with us. Far away in new country, among
fresh scenes and faces, she Will soon forget
her father and love me. Her father will
nave other children to love, and perhaps
she may be sighted. A stepmother is not
pleasant possession; you know that Jem,
to your sorrow, don't you!''
Yes, Ally; but mine was bitter hard
one. This girl is not like that. She has no
vice about her.
"How do you know thatoher virtues have
to be tried, and you confess you know moth
ing OF her; she may be what YOU call a bit
ter bad one. Virtuous women are not plenti-
full enough to be picked up like withered
sticks Oh the high-road. Well, YOU know
my condition, and you know where to find
me. Pm going now, l have long walk be.
fore Inc, and 1 am chilled to the heart.
came here tonight to humble myself to
him, to plead for the only possession care
for under heaven-the possession of my
own little child; but in face of What have
seen, dare not enter his doors, my blood
Is up, there would be murder done. Oh, I
wonder you can want me, Jeln. knowing my
black heart and my bitter past
$50 do WONDER" said Jem honestly,
''yet can't help longing for YOU | have
loved you all my life, and somehow think
it will be that in time-not at first perhaps,
but lconld be patient-you might get to
care for me. Not as do for you, Of course,
can't expect that; there is nothing in me
to love, while you are proud, beautiful, and
clever: On, my girl l could give up all
hope OF winning you to see you happy and
innocent in your old place as Pierce Pen
folds wife,
Hush, Jem! Why talk Of that which is
beyond retrieving? l should do it all over
again If could live my life afresh."
You did love the scountlrel who led YOU
from your duty, then, Ally?'
eyes, God pityme That was the worst
IT 1t, that was what made me suffer the tor
ments of conscience. l used to have a
warm heart and could feel impulses of
good, now | am all evil. You had better
not ask for that which is so worthless, it
may be your lot to know the misery of
granted prayer
The woman's great haggard eyes softened
a second, and she laid her shapely hand in
her Cousins.
Poor, foolish, faithful fellow! as he press
ed kiss on it a tear blotted the caress out.
''Why, Jem, / thought l was beyond cry
ing for, or praying for You are good fell
low, and deserve better woman than can
ever be. Goodnight, would say God bless
you if 1 was not afraid the order of things
would be reversed and you cursed instead"
Let me walk with you to the town, my
girl; the way is long and dark, and 1 have
nothing to do"
You ought not to say that, Jem; there
are sleep and rest in your bed, two bless
ings long denied to me. Ono is never quite
wretched when one can forget their misery
in Sleep"
Il would willingly give every hour Of NY
rest to ease you, Ally"
II believe you would, Jem."
''Let me hold your hand; you tremble.
Come under the shelter of the house. I'll
get you something to refresh YOU"
Food or drink from under his roof would
choke me. Come along if you are coming
with me, or else l shall be locked out"
CHAPTER V.
''Papa there is such grand circus in
cardiff, wish you would let me 90. Jem
would take me, and should so like to go.
May I?'
My pet, hate to refuse you anything,
out you cannot go; you have bad cough
and the nights are so very cold. 1t might
Kill you, and what would poor papa do with
out his own dear little daughter? No, my
dear little woman must stop at home this
time, and to reward her obedience l will
take her to see pantOmme soon in the big
beautiful city where Dick Wilmington
lived; you remember what the bells said to
him?''
"'rurn again, Dick Wilmington, thrice
Lord Mayor of London.''
''He believed the bells like tractable
boy and obeyed."
YES know, papa; but a circus is here,
and not to be waited for like pantomime;
hate waiting"
$50 do for some things" said Mr.. Pen
fold meaningly, as Dorothy laid her hand
on his shoulder. He turned to smile up
fondly into the sweet face and say: II hate
to wait for my wife, yet she says must"
''But you must, unless you would enricha
villain. But don't let lis talk about that. l
am sorry Ally should be disappointed; she
has heard so much about the clown, the
horses, the elephants, and host of other
wonders, that her little head is turned. Why
not take her to morning performance?
you can wrap her up costly, and then it may
not harm her.
II fear the risk, she is such fragile little
blossom"
do not let me persuade you against your
better Judgment Pierce; she is so sweetly
good know she will not fret over what
cannot be helped"
Ally's pretty lips poutel, and she looked
so much inclined to fret that her indulgent