The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-01-02
s'It can not buy love-" he answered,

quickly and coldly.
That may be-" she retorted, with a
violent start.
Hubert made no reply, apparently
desiring to drop the discussion. But
his wish was not to be gratitied. She
watched him awhile in silence, then
said: Hubert, l want you to answer
this question:
DO youtruly and honestly love me
that is, love me for myself alonep"
Flora spoke in firm tones; but her
form quivered with emotion, and her
eyes seemed'to scorch him with their
steady stare.
mo. Flora" he said. low. yet dis
tinctly, II do not love you; | never
have; l never will! l would make
you my wife solely to obtain possession
of your fortunen'
Flora Flourney sprang TO her feet
excitedly at this unexpected declara-
ton. Her eyes glittered strangely and
a terrible EXPIRE ssion gathered on her
face, but before she could utter a sim
gle word in reply a dreadful peal of
thunder shook the old house to its very
foundation, a binding flash of light
culiS ullcu Iuo IUOul With Icdulu
splendor one instant, and, uttering a
deep groan, and tossing his hands
wildly aloft, Hubert fell heavily upon
the floor at her feet, as if suddenly
stricken dead.
A scene of wild confusion followed.
While the majority of the house were
in Mysteries. Irene Rivers alone was
calm and collected. A messenger was
dispatched to New Orleans for mcdi-
cal aid; and after the lapse of some
hours he returned, bringing a skillful
physician, who, on a hastv eXamina-
ton, pronounced Hubert Adare dead. |
The lightning had done its work inf
simultaneously and etfectually, he SAND.
/. The night following the day of Fu-
bert Adare's intermeut, Irene Rivers
sat alone in her chamber listeHing,
with bated breath, to the homogeneous
tickiag of the big old-fashionM clock
in the hall below. Hour yfter hour
passed by. Still she sat there, never
moving, never changing/ her position
in the least. The clock at length
struck one; ere its last Vibrations died
away she started up, Wrapped a heavy
table matches and Il lamp She passed
from the room, gliYed noiselessly down
the broad STAIRCASE and out of the
night.
A rapid walk of a few minutes du-
ration brought her to the entrance of a
vault-the Mast resting place of two
generations of Flourneys-situated in
the furthqst corner of the ground upon
which the house stood, and which she
unlocked and entered, not, however,
WITHOUT a feeling of terror creeping
oyesf her. Lighting the lamp she car
fled, she made her way to a cotiin
which had lately been placed in the
vault. One instant she paused; then,
trembling like an aspen, she loosed
the lid and threw it open.
Pale and rigid, Hubert Adare lay
before her.
With q half : suppressed cry. the
frightened girl sank on her knees beside
him, and seemed on the point Of faint.
ing. This feeling, however, soon passed
away; she grew brave again, and.
springing to her feet, she leaned over
the m%otionless form, pressed burning
kisses upon the lips, repeating MS
name as she did so.
The effect was peculiar! A soft,
warm blush sutfused his face, neck,
and brow; the lips Slightly parted; a
gentle thrill passed over the still form,
and then the yes slowly Enclosed ant
looked wonderingly and sleepily into
her face.
''Alive! Saved! Thank God! Thank
God" cried Irene, throwing her arms
about his mock, as he partly rose in .
! transport Of gratitude and Joy. :
Neither Mrs. Tourney nor Flora
made any objection when Irene Rivers
announced her intention of going tt
New Orleans. and hither she repaired.
!. Hubert Adare was awaiting her, and
: they were quietly married and sailed
for Mexico, in which country they tool
: up their permanent residence.
~ EEn.#4t.. #.-. ~ lE. L-l