The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-01-21
I'D about loves the creates: aon-
sexseAeShe h4St marriages are
founded esq
But rdoARtS&w enough of Lord
Caraven to>esteen him." she replied

But rJo4Rt SS>w enough of Lord
Caraven to Nsstesm him." she replied,
slowly.
Some of the happiest marriages"
continued the lawyer, have been when
people have learned to love each other
after marriage"
Then love does creep in before or
after?' she said.
Possibly in many cases. The most
sensible way of looking at marriage is
this. 1t is a civil contract between two
people who can best make their way
in the world by going through it to-
gether-for instance, a young farmer
marries a girl whose dowry enables
him to improve his farm, while her
the noble man with an impoverished
estate and an ancient title marries a
city heiress> whose grandfather was
perhaps a soap-boiler.'
She was listening in amazement.
"a civil contractH' she said, slowly.
ceremony, papa?'
$50 it is, certainly, most decidedly.
I am speaking of it from my point of
view"
Us your point of view the same as
other peoples, papa?"
"All sensible people have the same
ideas on the subject" he replied; and
again his daughters dark eyes sought
the lovely, cleaning river.
II did not Think continued Hildred,
slowly, that marriage was a contract
of any kind. I had different idea of
it. I thought it took place when two
souls were attracted insensibly to each
other, and life became nobler and bet
ter and higher because of their love;
and thought that same love began in
time and ended in eternity"
Arley Ransome looked in wonder at
his daughter.
"Hildred," he said, IT hope you are
not going to turn out romantic"
II hope not" she replied, quietly
"You have told me the truth, papa, and,
though it has astonished me, I thank
you for it-one should not have false
notions. l have asked because it strikes
me that it would be a terrible thing to
marry without love, and then for love
not to come afterward."
The lawyer held up his hands in hor-
ror.
"Such thing could not be- Every
woman with well-regulated mind
loves her husband every husband in
the same way loves his wife,
Then, if I marry the Earl of Car
aven now" she said quietly, 81 shall
learn to love him afterward?'
"Certainly,' he replied, with wish
that she were not so earnestly sin
cere.
II have not thought of marrying"
she continued, in the same earnest,
simple tone. "You see, papa, there
was nothing to make me think of it
There were no gentlemen at St. Roche
and I have been so busy with my books
liked study. like it now. like the
idea, too, Of being countess-it has
pleasant sound-Iady Caraven.
And you are sure, papa, that l shall
love my-love Lord Caraven after mar.
riage, if not before?"
II am quite sure" he replied, with
unnecessary fervor.
She turned slowly to him.
II will marry the earl" she said
simply.
He looked delighted.
Il shall see him and tell him to-
morrow he said. "Now, remember,
Hildred, this is a very solemn matter.
You cannot go back after you have
once pledged your word
II shall not want to go back" she
said. 1T is fair destiny-why should
I wish to change it? Countess of Car
aven! When shall I see him-the earl
again, papa?"
Arley Ransome could not suppress
a slight pang Of reproach. If she ex-
pected to find a gallant wooer in the
spendthrift earl. she would be wofully
disappointed. 1t would be best per-
haps to prepare her.
VERY soon; and am quite sure that
he will be pleased But, Hildred, I
want to say something else to you.
Common people have common customs.
When Darby goes to WOO Joan, he sits
with his arm round her waist. Men
like'-then he grew confused, remem-
bering that men were alike all the
world over-"men like the earl WOO in
a different fashion"
What is their fashion," she asked,
quietly.
"They say little of love-they talk
no nonsense-they send princely pres
ents of diamonds and jewels-they
prove their love by actions more than
by Words