The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-04-24
CHAPTER I.

THE TRAGEDY OF THE PARK.
Dick Bartnett, the schoolmaster Of
Exton, cast a parting look at himself
in the cracked mirror over the little
washstaEd, added a few final touches to
ais toilet, and sighed.
MOT much Of a place to leave as
ne. turned and swept the barely-fur-
aished room with a glance. But, still,
I'm sorry to CO."
He was a slender young man, with
= keen, intellectual face, and carried
himself with a certain dignity, as be-
came one who had been five years the
village schoolmaster. He was only "a,
but looked much older, as the result of
hard work and study. He did not al
ways intend to remain a simple peda-
gogue.
AS his glance fingered on the faded
hang1ngs, the uncomfortable looking
hairc'oth furniture, the faded rag car
pet, 1t rested on a small trunk in the
middle of the room, md he frowned.
Il n what can keep the fellow?'
he muttered. He promised me faith
fully he would not disappoint."
Just then a timid knock sounded IN
the door and presently a nan entered,
a rough, ungainly fellow, in a dirty can
vas suit, whose wild hair and beard
made him resemble one of those gro
tesque toys that are sold about the
streets during the holidays.
well, here I be-" said the newcomer
In a deep, bass voice.
Very good, Jim. Now, you will take
this trunk to the station, without say
ing whose it is. Let no one know 1 am
going. Understand"
"Sure."
Here is for your trouble" and from
q slender purse the young nan passed
over a silver piece, which the other, af-
ter biting, thrust in pocket. Then he
shouldered the trunk, and, with a
Goodnight, guv'nor," went out with
his burden through the door.
Bennett waited until the heard the
mans step on the front porch, then,
with a parting look aroun the room
that had been his home for five years,
he blew out the lamp and slipped down
the stairs and into the night.
He made his way rapidly along the
country road, which, without the moon
light to guide him, he could have trav-
ersed safely, he knew it SO well. Pass
ing a few dark houses. he came at last
to the entrance of an extensive estate,
and paused for a before the
great iron gate. It seemed to him that
the stone lions bearing shields IN the
pillars on each side Of the way were
grinning at him derisively. II wonder
If I shall ever see this place again." he
murmured. Am I acting for the best?
| hope So" Then, as he saw a faint
light still glimmered in the gatekeeper's
little house, he passed rapidly on. Fur
Their he found a hole in the tall hedge,
and wriggling through, entered the
park.
Evidently, it "a not the first time
that he had found his way into the
grounds in this surreptitious way, for
here, where the old trees interlaced, not
a CLEAN Of moonlight penetrated the
place. Yet he walked on without
stumbling through the blackness, COM
Ing presently to another hedge, scarcely
higher h his shoulder. A silvery
radiance shone over this part of the
park. Here he paused for a moment to
listen, then STEPPED back again into the
shadows. There was the sound Of
rustling leaves, n then a man APP
peared in the moonlight.
Dick could only mak out that he
was tall and ragged, for his face was in
the shadow of an overhanging bough.
Only for a moment did the stranger
stand there, when he turned M made
off in the direction of the house, the
lights of which could be seen cleaning
In the distance.
What can this ruffian be doing.
here?" muttered the schoolmaster, as
he came out into he path again. "A
poacher, no doubt, after Elison's fish.
Better buy such things than nave a
stocked lake to attract all the wander
ing vagabonds in the country"
He approached the hedge again,
peered cautiously over, and, catching
sight of something white in the dis
lance, uttered a low whistle. The young
woman, for such he white object was,
running forward, opened a gate in the
hedge near at hand, and came toward
him.
"Oh, Dick!" she began impulsively,
lifting her face to his, what does it
what can it all mean?"
II will tell you-but not here. Come,
we are far too near the house to talk in
peace" n he drew her away into the
shadows, but still in sight of the moon
lit path.
Finding a fallen tree, he pressed her
to sit down, and then took a seat beside
her.
Nov, then, tell me quickly. Don't
you see, l am burning with anxiety?"
she said.
There is little more to tell you thar
that / think it best to go away It is
only a question of time before I should
be sent. Your mother has learned of
Isour attachment, and she could easily
break it off, she believes"
"She little knows me-" replied the
girl, firmly. After all, what ear she
dog"
We'll, the first step would be to get
your father to discharge me, and that, /
believe, he contemplates doing, though
he has been friendly to the last. Still,
she could persuade him.. I feel sure of
it. Then, you see, / would have to go
anyway"
But what is to become of me
what.am I to do?" almost in tears. She
was little more than a child, barely II.
II don't want you to go-I won't have
it," with a stamp of the foot.
My dear, am acting for the best
firmly. MY usefulness here is over,
and to remain would only make matters
more disagreeable for. you, as well as
me. | am going to the city, where there
is some chance for me to show my abil-
ity. il 4 have any There is no chance
for me to rise here, and when 1 have
made a competence. and am in a posi-
ton to take care of FOL as you deserve,
why, We will marry, in spite Of the
world"
.tAnd will that be very long-very,
very long?" h asked, in a doleful
voice, that caused him to laugh.
Not long. IL the world appreciates
my transcendent genius" with a flip
pant air. Not long, IL hard work and
APPLICATION vii lift me TO a respectable
place in society"
Still. Isthink 1t is very mean of you