The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1901-05-30

4 80! ness early. The
first thing he did
was to send a note to the earl, saying
that all difficulty was removed; his
daughter had consented; the only
thing remaining was for him to ask
her to settle the wedding day.
Lord Caraven read it through. then
crushed 1t in his hands, and finally
tore 1t into shreds and threw it under
his feet. He had not brought himself
to proper state OF submission yet.
He would have given the whole world
to escape from Arley Ransome; but
the choice was plain enough-ruin
shame, despair, or marriage with the
dark-eyed girl who was mot his style,
and whom he was quite sure he should
never like.
The marriage should take place in
due course The Ransomes had as 1t
were drawn hdm--nay, forced him
into It; the consequences must recoil
on themselves. In his own mind he
considered the daughter quite Us bad
as the differentiated he made little
distinction between them. The union
was to be; there was no further need
of scruple. They wanted his title, he
wanted their money. He void be
civil to them, they could not expect
more.
On that evening Hildred Ransome
received letter and ring. The en-
velope bore crest and she knew at
once that 1t was from Lord Caraven.
The contents were short, but to the
purpose; 1t was not a love letter, for
there was no semblance of love in It,
MY Dear Miss Ransome: l have to
thank you for your consent to my
then came a word that had been care
fully obhterated and wishes" written
over 1t. with your permission will
call tomorrow. have sent you an en-
gagement ring-will you wear it? /
am yours'-here there was an illegi-
BILE word
"UIIRIC CARAVEN."
She laid the letter down with sigh
and smile. She had fancied that a
love letter would be very different
She opened the little parcel that ac-
companied the note; it contained a
magnificent diamond ring cher engage
ment ring. She placed 1t on her fin
ger. and the sun falling on it made it
shine like fire. Still, as she looked at
dt, her eyes filed with tears She
would have liked some one to put the
ring on her finger; although she was
engaged to be married, and was to
be countess, she felt very lonely
and desolate.
Arley Ransome smiled when he saw
the ring. At least 1t was an earnest
of good things to come.
Very nice, very appropriate" said
the really ring suitable
for the coming Lady Caraven."
The day after brought Lord Caraven
himself.
That interview was something to be
remembered. Mr.. Ransome, hoping to
make matters smooth and pleasant,
had invited his future son-in-law to
dine with him, and that he might not
feel dull had asked the humorous and
brilliant talker Mr.. Carwey to join
them.
1t was well that he had done so, for
the actual presence of her lover seemed
TO strike Hildred dumb. She looked
at him whenever she found that he
was looking elsewhere She thought
him very handsome. His INDECENT,
careless grace contrasted so favorably
with her fathers sharp, brisk manner.
She wondered why the earl locked
worn and haggard. He was only
twenty eight, her father said. She
wondered, too. why he was not more
empresse in his manner. He took her
down to dinner, and the only words
they exchanged were about the warmth
of the day. During dinner they never
spoke, save for the most ordinary civ
ilities. When dinner was over, the
earl evidently preferred the society OF
Mr. Carwey to hers.
why had he asked to marry her IL
he did not care to talk to herr" she
said to herself How strange It
was." Then her father invited Mr..
Carwey to have game at chess, and
the earl walked slowly across the
rpoom to where she was sitting. He
stood by her side, tall, stately, de-
spite his indolent grace OF manner.
Her heart beat What was he going
to say? He bent his head somewhat,
stiffiy.
~ have to thank you. Miss Ran