Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-05-05
cnApTER Ix.-,continucd.o

ly of late, that the girl began 10 regard
her with dislike and fear. told her that
MorGant Cain wished to see her in the
drawing room. AT first, Pansy felt in
clined to refuse him an interview; but
a glance at her guardians hard, repel-
liant face, decided her that would be
impolitic.
That her acquaintance with Godfrey
Carslake was still unknown 10 them,
she was quite sure: but the thought
that he was wandering about the or
chard in search OF her was an hourly
increasing anxiety. that rendered her
well-nigh desperate.
As she fitted along the dark corr
doris to the drawing room. she was
wondering, desperately, what she
should say to her ill-favored sutton.
so, Philippa, you have come" he
said. coming forward rs she entered,
and closing the massive door behind
her. THAT is good and conformabis
of you. and does credit TO your good
sense; for. assuredly. had the oun
tain not come TO Mahomet, Mahomet
would have gone 10 the mountain so
there would have beer no escape, any
way. Well, l want an answer to the
proposition | made you three days
ego. Are you prepared with il, or
must | grant you a further extension
of tiIne:'
lie had taken her hand. which lay,
cold n u~nresponsiye. in his. The girl
cast one long glance AT him ere she an
swered.
II do not require a longer time TO
consider your PROPOSAL she said. with
forced composure, for | could but give
the same answer were | consider the
matter for Il twelve-month. | cannot
marry you,"
80, That is the tone you take. is il,
my pretty Philippa?" he said, sardon.
ically. but when l assured you that
my patience would wear yours out l
spoke from n knowledge OF my own
constitutional doggedness and the
changeable nature of your sweet sex
There will come a day when you will
see the matter i'm a very different light
when the solitude OF a convent
school life abroad will dispose you 10
regard even me la sutton with so..e
physical drawbacks) as n welcome re-
lief from the hideous repression and
moDotony OF your life. All, | see we
are beginning to understand one an
other, ell, Mistress Disdainful:' for
Pansy had changed color mt his verbs.
and her hands trembled. You will
not compel us-your guardian and l.
TO take so severe a course with rou?
You Will comply with our arrange
ments for your future welfare without
further troubley'
mo, will not" cried the girl, pas
sionately. Nothing shall induce me
to marry you. | loathe. | detest your.
What's all this unseemly violence
about exclaimed Fergus, entering
the room as Pansy spoke. '.Philippa.
did not tell you the other day that l
approve the proposal that has been
made to you by my friend. Mordant
CainT'
'Yes. you did: but | am not bound
to sell my happiness and liberty at
your bidding. and | most emphaticali,
refuse 10 marry against my will and
inclination
.YGur insolence, young lady, is i'll
advised, to say the least of it, sneered
Mordant. But you will find that we
shall prevail with you yet
Yes, indeed" echoed Fergus. with a
meaning glance at the other. six
months hence you will have learned
many things = absolute submission,
among others; one OF the first tasks
that will be required OF you by the
good sisters. Until we have arranged
for your remova abroad, you will keep
your room"
AS he spoke. Fergus rang the bell for
Salome, under whose escort Pansy was
allowed to go 10 her own room.
That's the way TO bring the girl to
reason. They will break her spirit. IL
anyone can he said. pacing the SOM
bre room n~ervously. II shall tell them
to treat her with the utmost severity,
aud she, being "A hereto. there will be
but little doubt that her life will be
intolerabie enough"
Mordant was too much enraged to do
aught but growl in answer TO his
friends remarks.
"NNell." he said. at length. '.let us
Danish the little jade from our minds
for the nonce. for other subjects de-
mand consideration. When is the in
terment TO take place? She has been
dead now two days
lie dropped his voice. and Fergus
turned a shade more livid.
"Iet il be to-nigmt.'' he faltered.
hoarsely. II cannot zeal the know
ledge that II is as yet in the house
awaiting s%epulture."
He shuddered convulsively. and
Mordant. regarding him. broke into n
subdued laugh.
surely 1t need not harrow You more.
now all sense and feeling has departed.
than when the late inmate Of the West
Wing was dragging out a miserable
existence. bereft Of liberty and reason
Bah. YOU are n craven miscreant.
after all. | call IL a happy release for
all concerned
But l thought we. arranged that
Elsie was TO be removed tonight %
continued Fergus. falteringly. I'VE
were 10 start at half-past two to-mor-
row morning. and drive her To Ware, a
distance of fifteen miles, TO catch the
quarter 10 a3c o'clock train. How- are
we TO do both?"
Easily enough" said MorJant. con
i~cinpiuousiy. Elsie is still in n conn
toss state, and can be carried and put
into the phaeton. before we commence
our charnel-house occupation. We shall
have 10 lay the body for a short time
IN the sacristy. and have no option but
to move the girl first. We viii put the
horses to. Shnrtly after two O'clock.