The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-02-04

II iH%AN went off to bust
:gaEGsNi ness early. The
first thing he did
was to send a note to the earl, saying
that all difficulty was removed; his
daughter had cDnaented; the only
thing remaining was for him to ask
her to settle the wedding day
Lord Caraven read it through, then
crushed 1t in his hands, and finally
tore 1t into shreds and threw it under
MS feet. He had not brought himself
10 proper state of submission yet
lie would have given the whole world
70 escape from Arley Ransome; but
ahe cHolce was plain enough-ruin
shame. despair. or marriage with the
dark-eyed girl who was mot his style"
ana whom he was quite sure he should
never like.
The marriage should take place in
uue course. The Ransomes had as it
were drawn hin-nay, forced him
into 1t; the consequences must recoil
on themselves In his own mind he
considered the daughter quite as bad
as the father-indeed he made little
distinction between them. The union
was to be; there was no further need
of scruple. They wanted his title, he
wanted their money He would be
civil to them, they could not expect
more.
On that evening Hidred Ransome
received letter. and ring The en-
Veicpe bore crest and she knew ut
once that it was from Lord Caraven.
The contents We're short, but to the
purpose; it was not a love letter, for
there was no semblance of love in it.
MY Dear Miss Ransome: 1 have to
thank you for your consent to my
then came q word that had been care
fully obliterated and wishes" written
over it. with your permission I will
call tomorrow. l have sent you an en-
gagement ring-will you wear it? l
am yours"-here there was an illegi-
Ole word
"ULRIC CARAVEN."
She laid the letter down with sigh
and a smile. She had fancied that a
love letter would be very different.
She opened the little parcel that &C.
companied the note; it contained a
magnificent diamond ring-heF engage
ment ring. She placed it on her fin
ger, and the sun falling on it made it
shine like fire. Still, as she looked at
u, her eyes filled with tears. She
would have liked some one to put the
ring on her finger; although she was
engaged to be married, and was to
be countess, she felt very lonely
and desolate.
Arley Ransome smiled when he saw
the ring. At least it was an earnest
Of good things to come.
Very nice, very appropriate" said
the really ring suitable
Cor the coming Lady Caraven.'
The day after brought Lord Caraven
himself.
That interview was something to be
remembered. Mr.. Ransome, hoping to
make matters smooth and pleasant,
had invited his future son-in-law to
aIne with him, and that he might not
feel dull had asked the humorous and
brilliant talker Mr.. Carwey to join
them.
It was we'll that he had done so, for
the actual presence Of her lover seemed
to strike Hildred dumb. She looked
at him whenever she found that he
was looking elsewhere. She thought
him very handsome. His indolent,
careless grace contrasted so favorably
with her fathers sharp, brisk manner
She wondered why the earl looked
worn and haggard. He was only
twenty-eight, her father said She
wondered, too, why he was not more
empresse in his manner. He took her
down to dinner, and the only words
they exchanged We're about the warmth
Of the day. During dinner they never
spoke, save for the most ordinary civ
nihes. When dinner was over, the
earl evidently preferred the society of
Mr. CARNEY to hers.
"Why had. he asked to marry her if
he did not care to talk to herr she
said to herself How strange It
vast" Then her father invited Mr.
Carwey TO have game at chess. and
the carl walked slowly across the
royom to where she was sitting. He
stood by her side, tall, stately, de-
spite his indoltnt grace Of manner.
Her heart beat What was ne going
to say? He benz his head somewhat
<tiffly.
II have to thank you, Miss Ran