The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1897-12-03
ed something strange in the wine at dim
and was seized by dreadful drovsn~
that took away vital mower.

That took away vital power.
II had sense enough left to know he had
drugged me, and made some excuse to get
to my room. There l drank enough warm
water to act as an emetic; then while he
thought me sleeping the deep sleep of in.
sensibility, managed, by dropping from a
low window to get away, just as l was, with
only a cloak to cover my evening-drcss.
Il felt it was useless to appeal against his
authority, lie being supposed to five a saint
like life, and |, by report, giving his saint
ship much trouble. Two years seemed such
long time, yet could have been patient
even with him if it had not been for his in
cessant lCve-making and constant presence
Il was mad from life's history when
fled from my miserable home, and tramped
to Cardiff from Penarth. You do not know
what that man made me suffer, or what a
cruel torment his love was. I would rather
beg for bread from door to door than return
to him.
'He has will of iron and is determined
to marry me by fair means or foul. He
wants my money, l believe. He would have
married poor mamma it she would have lad
him; perhaps that is why she thought so
well of him. am absurdy afraid of him.
would rather die than feel myself in his
power again.
II might be discovered at any moment
and forced to return. You see he has the
law on his side, and no one would believe
ing found by him. What can do, Pierce?'
Pierce looked gravely perplexed.
'Only husband could dispute his control
over YOU We must hasten our marriage,
my queen l will go to London and make
O fol ,Vy;fb I,
child. You are not safe here day, any
moment he may discover you.
Il know Horace Middleton we'll, I have
had business dealings with him and liked
him imm tnseiy. Love for you must have
turned his brain, or he never would have
proved such a bastard to sou. There is not
a man more looked up to and respected in
all South Wales. Fancy you being John
Covers only child! I should not have con-
nected you with the notice in the paper,
but for the dc cription of the jewels you
wore-tlat quaint cross and this ring.
He took her hand and looked at the heavy
ring she wore with its masonic emblem.
"The ring was the dear dads, he always
wore it, and since my mothers death have
never taken it off,
Pierce stopped down and kissed the little
hand fondly, looking very grave. lie was
man OF fair fortune, and good birth and
connections, but it was one thing to marry
penniless girl without home or friends
and another thing to marry the heiress OF
Castle Cover.
The Cover collieries were of great value,
there was property besides; and she seemed
such child; she had never been allowed to
see the world and make choice for herself.
1t seemed taking an ungenerous adyant-
age of her love and faith to bind her to him,
she might regret it.
lie told her all this sensibly and clearly,
but in answer to all objections she laid her
pretty face against his arm, and looking up
with beautiful eyes she said
II love you Pierce, and perfect love cas-
teth out fear. l would rather be your wife
than crowned Queen of England"
but suppose you should see someone you
could love better, my beautiful darling,
would you not blame mo for rushing you
into marriage when all the advantage
comes to mev'
''You don't believe in my love, Pierce.
Indeed do not think your love perfect if
you could so coolly resign me-"
'Coolly resign you! Oh, Dorothy, how
you misjudge me! l only try to see what is
best for you. You are such child, man
would be a scoundrcl to allow his own
wishes to influence your life. Oh, my dear,
my dear, it is the greatness of my love that
makes me able to look only to your side of
the bargain; you have all to lose, all to
GAIN
IF You won; marry me, at least you
won't send me back, Pierce?'
COED forbid, child! How can you ask
NE? Arc You Sur2 you do not want to be
married j,:st 10 get away from bondagew <
D'rothy's eyes filled with tears.
"Oi, you are cruel. Piercel What can
TO on say to convinc,, you of my love?'
Il am c@uel to be kind, Dora darling.
True love is unsrllisl. know what it is to
wake up too late, to the knowledge of hav.
Ing ruined ones life by one mad act"
You We're not happy with your wife,
| Pierca?'
Happy! Oh, Heaven knows was not.
cannot talk Of it TO you, darling; thank
God you could not understand such unhap.
| p!ness as l suff red, or conceive such a
| wrong as | endured. possible. Don't talk Of
that, my precious, it upsets me-"
what do you intend to do with me,
Piercc?'
love you and stand between you and
evil. l will go to town tomorrow and con.
suit my lawyer. You are under age. l do
not know that marriage would be legal un-
der these circumstances. suppose it would
| not be possible to persuade your guardian
to consent to our union?'
Indeed to goodness no: You don't know
the man; he is madly jealous, and believe
he loves me as well as he knows how to
love. Besides, there is so much property
to be gained; he is ambitious, wants seat
III the House of Commons, and hopes to
rnill oE