Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-05-13

well, l want You, please, rs they are
mine now" Muriel says, trembling, and
trying to be business-like, ITO sell them 40
soon ~ possible. You understand all
about 1t; they have risen very much,
Miles told me, and want the money, you
know, to pay every one"
Muriel, he says sternly.
YES" Muriel says, growing red and
white by turns Mt his tone.
DO you forget that married you this
morning."
NO." Muriel replies, affrightedly.
Then why do you talk in that manner
about money! demands Eric, harshly,
relieved to have some just cause for re-
preaching her. when I gave you my
name, I presume gave you my purse. too!
You need not fear shall encroach hair
breadth on any distance you choose to
set between u.s." he goes on, with COOL
composed bitterness, but at least claim
to be allowed to hold the relation have
entered into of your legal guardian and
nearest relative" and Eric puts into her
hand a little velvet purse full of sover-
eigns.
"All this money!" Muriel exclaims, in
tones of uncomfortable amazement. peep
ing into the little bag of gold with awe
stricken eyes, making Llewellyn laugh in
spite of himself. Are you-are you-so
rich!" she asks, and Llewellyn cannot un-
derstand the burning flush that rises to
her temples, and the tears that start into
her brilliant, dark eyes-a flush and tears
of deep humiliation.
$50 rich as to give my wife fifty
pounds!' he smiles, many wives would
think very lightly of that sum, Muriei.
No, indeed, dear, l am not rich; but
have enough to keep you in the position
of gentlewoman, hope"
Fifty pounds seems a great sum of
money to me-" she says, deliberately. Il
never had twenty pounds of my own in my
possession at once-never! We have al
ways been so poor-Miles and l." She
throws her head back, and looks at him
almost defiantly as she speaks. 1--WE have
always been very poor, and there are
debts, not large debts, but ones l wish
to pay off myself. which Miles would wish
me to pay, and that is why l wanted my
own money, not yours"
well, that is your own money" Eric
says CURLY, getting vexed.
Muriel moving softly behind his chair.
kisses his bronzed cheek, which Pushes at
the caress almost as deeply as her own.
lis that by way of interest on tho
money that troubles you 80 much?" he
questions, sarcastically, trying to begin
writing letter with tingling fingers.
mo, that is by way of payment" Mu-
riel whispers, flushing still deeper, until
her face is the hue of pink wild rose,
as she kisses him again.
And then Eric fairly succumbs. and
throwing the pen down, lifts her up on his
knee, and clasped tightly in his arms,
hides her face with his own; and neither
of them seeing nor hearing anything on
earth but each others eyes and the beat
ing of each others hearts.
Don't go away from me-" he murmurs.
holding her as she essays to leave him.
stay with me, love, l can't bear to let
you go" he says, half ashamed of the
weakness that makes him cling to her,
and lay his head on her bosom. .'Muriell
little wife-sweetheart stay with mev'
''Why, Eric" Muriel says, in a half.
amused, soothing tone, II am only going
to see-that is, Hannah wants me for 4
little while"
Very good; you will be back presently"
Eric says, releasing her.
HIS gaze follows her out of the room.
and sees the door hide her from his eyes
with sense of separation. Il wonder
what has come over mev' he SAYS. in.
wardly, half ashamed and half glorying IN
the discovery: II have fallen in love again.
l solemnly believed"
But even while he sits there. musing-
his heart throbbing, his cool brain and
steady pulse all afire with love and hope
and secret happiness, and the glamour of
sher sweet presence and her caresses are
with him still, and he yields half unwill-
ingly to the fascination that has fallen
| over him--he sees Sylvester peering from
the second doorway of the sitting room.
his face pallid with wrath and cowardly
vengeance.
I've just a word to say to your SAYS
the boy Indignantly, in suppressed tone.
"You think you're everybody, suppose,
and that she's everybody? All! l could
tell yeh somethin' yeh don't known he
sneers. You're bought an sold, me fine
fellow, clever a man as yeh think y'are!
All! ali! more nor me knows it, if yeh
don't believe me! You've been trapped
into marrying herv'
Go be continued)
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