The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1901-05-16
CHAPTER II.--(Continued.)

ut is not a woman's gold; it is mine,
my lord" said the lawyer. Marry my
daughter, and you will not have an
other care in the world. She will be
happy; you will be free and wealthy,
shall be content"
II have known the time" remarked
Lord Caraven, when l should have
horsewhipped any man who dared to
make such a proposition to me. /
imagine all fine feeling has become ex-
tinct in me. Can you not manage all
this for me without asking me to mar
ny your daughter"
"No," replied the lawyer, quietly.
''As have told you, If had son, he
should have been master of Ravens
mere: failing that, my daughter must
be its mistress"
mot with my consent" said the earl,
haughtily.
Your refusal to marry her makes
her more certainly So II you refuse
IL you prefer ruin, disgrace, dishonor.
shame, and death to marrying an limo
cent girl, whose fortune would set you
straight in the world-it is at your own
option. II you refuse to make my
daughter Countess Caraven, In
two months time she will be known
over the land as Miss Ransome of
Ravensmere-you will have gained
nothing by your refusal"
The earl saw 1t, and for the first time
during the interview the calmness OF
his face and manner was broken.
Il have never seen the girl do not
know II could endure her. tell you,
Ransome, this affair of yours outrivals
che bids in the slave markets"
Nonsense, my lord; l have only cop
led a French custom. All that nom
sense about love is but a relic of bar
barism. The French are the most civ
ilized OF nations. How do they ar
range their marriages? Just as wish
to arrange this. Who hears of love
before marriage, with them? You want
money! offer you certain sum, with
a fa1r young wife,"
You must know that. although am
q ruined man, there is an immense
difference between the Earl of Cara
ven and the daughter OF a money!
lender" said the young nobleman.
There can be no happiness In mar
rage where there Is 90 great an in
equality"
The advantages and the losses are
equal replied Arley. There are men
who, In my place, would not act az 7
am doing, who would think twice be-
fore Offering wife and fortune tn one
Wno-pardon me-is so little deserving
them"
You cannot care much for your
daughter, to be willing to sacrifice her
to a spendthrift," said the earl.
My lord, each one amongst us has
MS price. / want title, rank and posi-
tion for my daughter. You can give
them to her. You want wealth-she
will bring that to you. Will you give
me an answer?'
Il should not purchase a picture
without looking at it." said the earl.
4 cannot promise to marry a lady
whom have never seem
You shall see her, my lord--at once.
II you will"
The earl looked around him.
"Where? he asked briefly.
The lawyers face flushed.
Il do not keep my daughter here
Lord Caraven, amongst deeds and pa
pers. She is a lady by education. and
lives at her own home"
Where Is that?" asked the earl
carelessly.
AT the Hollies, near Kew, my lord.
If you please, we will drive down
there
Il do not know--it Is not right
do not care to save myself in such a
fashion. Even IL married your daugh-
ter, I am quite sure that / should not
like her."
Every one likes Hildred." said Mr..
Ransome.
"Hildred! That Is a pretty. quaint
name" said the earl. II do not mind
going to the Hollies with you. but /
make no promise II l should not like
your daughter, she would be very
miserable"
AS you will, my lord; / shall urge no
more. / am determined my daughter
shall marry into the peerage; my
whole heart is set upon 1t. You are
not the only nobleman on my books.
! will say no more about it. You will
have the money ready for me or give
up Ravensmere at the appointed time"
While the lawyer urged him Lord
Caraven had been firm in his refusal.
80 4