Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-11-12
OWAPTER XII.

his business affairs finished. He sat mus
ing with ercnt delight on the wedding
that WIS never to he. He had wondered
q little, tor, when breakfast was over,
BcatriN had laid her hands on his shout
der aud snid, with a charming smile:
'Unclc. If some one comes to see you
this moruing. and has something to say
about inc. you will he very kind, will you
noi?"
Tic had not the remotcst idea of her
meaning: he fancicd that she must he
speaking of II icwclcr or a millincr.
"Whnt am l to say, TriXie?" lie asked.
''You must say Yes Bear that III
mi"d. All the time that my friend is
tas7;i"g t" yon say to yourself over and
over again, 4 have to say Yes"
Peter Lennox laughed.
"You're n terrible coax, Trixic." he re-
piled. I'VE shall see what the Yes in
.yoiycs." and he went to his study, won
dcri"g what she could mean There he
employed himself busily.
He WAS about to leave the room to so
for t,is mornings walk, when Bcltran Ca
rev was announced. He asked him to sit
down. and expressed how gratifcd he
was 10 sre him and they talked for some
minutes on matters in general: then Bel
traW said:
- am come on a very important GRAND,
Mr.. I,nnox."
III Il moment it occurred to Peter Len
nox That this was Beatrix's friend" and
thnt he Ind to say YES" Flo looked up
in dismay. What could Rcltran Carew
have. tn say about his niece! Hc listened
intcutly.
IT hope you will not think me pre-
s%umrtuous. 1 only wish that l were king
OF ii great Kingdom that / might prove
to you the Observation-Disclosures of my affcc-
.ti"n. [ love Miss LennoN-I cannot tell
you HOW deeply and dearly. l ask your
permission tn make her my wife,
Al first he listened in blank dismay. and
tl,cu HIS face grow pale with anger.
~ distinctly refuse my permission. sir"
he answered. MY niece must marry the
Duke of fteathland."
But" said lscltrau, your niece does
mol love the duke, sir. She loves me-"
"ii is not Il question of sentiment"
declared Peter l%.cnnoX. Glove is 81 toy
for boys and girls; my niece must marry
for The welfare of her house. for the pros
perity and %wcll-bcing of her race. She
musl marry AIS the ladies of her house
have donn before her-and in that case
she cannnt marry you"
Miss l.cnnox loves me. SIR lie said;
and. despite his anger, Peter Lcnnox's
heart warmed to him, he looked so hand
some
"li "a n girls fancy" r%ejoincl Peter
Lcnnor. grimly, that will die before stern
realities"
II think not" said Beltran. Miss Len
nos is not Il girl who is easily influenced.
She is firm-n true LennoN. sir. hope
you viii not harden your heart against
us. I tn"w that l am what the world
would call Il poor match; but ] love her SO
dearly. sir-l do. indccd-I would give my
very life Cor her. She is the heart of my
!hrnrt. life of my life. soul of inH soul"
Ills lips uuivcrcd. and a mist of tears rose
her. sir" he went on-"I will surround
her with luxurics--indccd. she shall miss
nothing that she has had here"
Peter tnnnox rose from his chair and
looked at him gravcly.
81 am very sorry" he said. that it con-
not he-tl,Ht cannot consent. You plead
well. hut you plead i'll vain. You cannot
marry tuy niece. l refuse most distinctly.
] decline to listen to your proposition. l
like yuu: personally 1 have not the least
objection to you. You nrc Il noblc-hcartci
man. III I had two nicccs, I would give
you one. AS 1 have but ono. she must
marry Tor the benefit of the race she
springs fron,."
81 do not think she will agree with you,
sir" said Bcltran.
"lt ia of very little moment whether she
ilocs or not; she will havc to marry ais /
have stated. Go home. sir. and forget
her. I like you, and will he Your friend
through life. l will do anything for yor,
except give you my niccc-that is Au I'M
possibility. l am sorry to he abrupt, but
] nave un engagement this morning. i
trust to your honor. Mr.. Carcw. to make
1T attempt at seeing my niece again.
And with ii grim civility that bodcd i'll
for his interests, I;cltran found himself
bowed out OF tho room.