The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1898-02-24

i did not know but you might be
thinking OF the murder which was done
IN that ROOM" said Agnes; "but | never
rear poor Marina. The dead never come
back
Don't they? 1 tell you, Agnes Tren-
holme, they do!' There was something
absolutely fearful in the voice in which
she spoke, but the next moment she
said In her own clear tones, "At least
some people think So"
A year had elapsed since the murder
or Marina, when Mrs. Trenholme ven
tured TO speak to her son of what lay
SO near her heart. Ralph had been very
tender to her that day, more like his
OLD self than he had been since the
tragedy. She put her hand on his and
spoke a little timidly.
Ralph, you once intended TO marry
10 please yourself; wish you would
really marry to Please mer'
HE smiled little sadly and touched
her hair caressingly.
so you have not quite given I'D the
old project, mother mine. Well, | will
thlnk OF it. / love no one. | shall not
easily love again"
ana lmogene loves YOU my son: I
think 1t no more than honorable that
you should give her the benefit of your
name. With such a woman for a wife.
love will surely come Trust me for it,"
he kissed the lips that were so near
his own.
Mother. will try to crafty you. I
VIII ask Miss Ireton TO be my wife"
Mrs. Trenholme's face flushed rap
turously. Her lifelong wish would be
gratified. Her only son, the pride of her
heart, would be the husband of the most
beautifG, and nobly-born woman in
that part of the state.
That night. Ralph sat by the side of
Miss lreton. He was pale and calm
nothing of the nervous expectancy that
characterizes the doubtful lover. He
took her hand in his and spoke very
quietly.
MISS lreton, you know my sad his
tory. You know of the blight that fell
upon my life little more than a year
ago, and knowing what you do. will
you be my wife,"
She looked into his cool ewes. and
saw that he did not love her And she
had given him so much. All the hon.
age OF her impassioned soul! She flush
ed crimson and set her white teeth
hard. 1t was cruel to be won in that
cold way; but anything to be near him.
She would have been happy as his dog.
II she could have been no more to this
man she loved so fervently. She put her
hot hand into his.
Il will be your wife" she said as
coolly as he had spoken.
He touched the jeweled fingers with
his lips and placed upon one of them a
diamond-the betrothal ring.
All that night Imogene Ireton tossed
restlessly on her bead. Her ambition, at
last, was to be satisfied-she was to be
Ralph Trenholme'5 wife; but his love,
for which she would have given her
soul, was not 10 be hers.
He shall love me-" she cried mas
sionately II will win him. Good heav-
ems why Is ne so much unlike other |
men that my beauty has no attraction
for him? Can it De that | am hideous
in his eyes,"
They were married in the first week
OF January. There was no parade--not
even bridesmaid, save Agnes Tren- |
holme. The old house at the Rock shook
opposed all display. She would have no
wedding party. no bridal tour.
A terrible storm swept over PortIea |
the night after Ralph took home wife. !
It's like had not been known on the
coast since that fearful storm when the |
foreign ship had been wrecked outside I
the harbor. and the waves had cast |
Marina up at the feet of Ralph Tren- !
holme. The old house at the Rock shook !
with the force OF the tempest, the very
foundations trembled. the roar of the |
waves on the rocks below was perfectly |
deafening. Imogene paced her chamber !
all the night through she could not |
sleep. she saba storm like this al !
ways made her restless.
CHAPTER TX.