The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-08-31
A CALIFORNIA GIRL.
A Continued Story.
CHAPTER XIV.

- SOnkknNeO STORY,
CHAPTER XIV.
Lady Garth had told the truth in say
Ing that Sir Roy had made up his mind
to marry Evangeline. He had thought
1t all over carefully during his illness,
through which his cousin had nursed
him with sisterly care. Lilac was lost
to him. He never doubted for moment
that the letter she had left for him was
. truthful one. and that she had quit
ted the hall simply because she cared
more for Mowbray than for himself.
With all chance of personal happiness
gone. Roy set himself to think of how
he could best act for the happiness Of
those around him. In her last letter
Lilac had told him that Evangeline
loved him. and the news did not alto
gether surprise him. In his youth
in fact, up to the time that he met
Lilac-he had looked forward in an in
definite way to one day making Evan
geline his wife; and although the meet
ing at Deadman's Gulch had shown
him very plainly that the regard he had
Tor his cousin was certainly not love,
he could understand the feeling having
grown to more than sisterly affection
on her part. He accepted certain re-
sponsibility in the matter; for he had
never disguised his affection for her,
and had sometimes even spoken play
fully of their marriage. He knew that
the fondest ambition of his mother was
to see him married to the heiress, and
In sheer hopelessness of his own hap
piness he resolved to secure that of the
two whom, after the faithless Califor-
MAN girl, he loved best in the world.
On the first day that he was allowed
out of his room, as he walked leaning
upon his mothers arm through the
sunny garden, Lady Garth could not
resist broaching the subject.
Il hope that this illness will be
warning to you, Roydon, not to go
abroad again." she said, with anxious
solicitude in her voice, which always
lost some of its hauteur and GOODNESS
when she spoke to her son.
LIZ 1oI Idlh VI Tile lulure, NlOIneT,
he said quickly. 81 cannot bear to hear
Of it yet"
But the future ought to look very
bright to you. DEAR" she urged. you
have splendid career before you if
you choose to adopt it,
'But do not want a career" he said,
with the irritability that his illness
had left. "All that wanted I have
lost 5ltt r.f se. IN
''You take. too gloomy a view Of
things, Roydon," said his mother; and
the young man turned upon her quite
dercely.
IA gloomy view! What other view
is there to take? Is there the POSSIBLE
ity Of doubt that the woman love
has forsaken me?"
But, my dear, the result may be all
the better for YOU" said her ladyship,
toying with her pince-nez. Miss Mar
vel had good points, certainly, and was
much more ladylike and refined than
one could have expected from her or
igin-" NJ
Roy interrupted her.
Mother, you must not talk like that.
You madden me! She was everything
that one could desire in a woman; but
she has left me, so what now is the
good of talking about her?"
II do not wish to do so,'' said her la
dyship. IT was going to speak about
somebody else, who has every attri-
butte, including wealth and birth, to
at her to be your wife. You read the
letter that Li-that was left. did you
not?" f.t4H 5s
eyes, mother"
Haven't you thought over the ad-
vice that it contained?"
Eyes. mother
"Then why do you not secure your
real happiness by acting upon it?''
IT am going to act upon it,
"You are going to ask Evangeline to
be your wife?"
Yes, mother"
There was no sign Of any emotion
beyond a hopeless carelessness in his
voice, but her ladyship ignored that,
and embraced him with every show Of
pleasure.
...You have made me very happy, my
sonr' she said, with feeling. You will
speak to her at once2" Before there
il any chance Of your meeting or hear
ing news Of Lilac Marvel" was in her
thoughts; but she kept back the words.
II am ready to speak to Evangeline
now, II you will send her to me-" said
Roy in tones as gloomy as If he were
msditating suicide. tAiti#
Lady Garth had time to md her
niece before her son had time to change
his mind.
The gloomy expression was still on
the baronets face when Evangeline
Joined him a few minutes later on the
rustic seat where Lady Garth had left
him, for he was still teo-weak to walk
Ear alone. but he tried to smile.
Z Aunt Gwendoline says you want to
speak to me about something very i'm
portant," said his cousin, brightly;
'and she kissed me as solemnly as il I
were going to be executed! What can
It beT'