The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1904-04-27

"Well. old friend, here is troublew
said the Squire, rising and grasping Mr..
Edwards by the hand.
And then 3aking the hand Of the pale,
agitated lady, he drew her close TO him,
saying. IN kindcst tones, Come in, poor,
wrongcd girl. come in. You are with
friends now. This is yonr home; | am
your father. for the present"
"Oh, sir, heaven bless your noble
heart" sobbed Nettie. And you, dear
young lady," turning to Marcia with inn
ploring tones, "oh, forgive me for bring
ing this woe to your door"
Nay, lady. you bring a blessing" said
Marcia, putting her arms around Nettie.
Il thank you for coming so far to save
me. And remember you have not only to
do that, but to establish your own rights,
and those of this dear boy" And she
lifted Willie up and kissed him.
While they arrange for their final tab
! leau. let us see what has become Of the
expectant bridegroom. Mr.. lie Dru. OF
course all this had taken less time in the
happening than il does in the telling, yet
Mr.. Louis was beginning TO wonder why
, his groomsmen did not come for him,
when he was told that Squire Douglas
would like to see him a moment in the
library.
''Some trifing formality, / suppose"
said Mr. Louis, lightly. as in all his
bridal bravery he tripped downstairs to
| the library. Heavens! what n change in
human lives the mere opening Of a deal
door may make.
Lightly, debonnairly. Mr.. Louis laid his
| white-gloved hand upon the handle of the
library door, opened it--and reeled like a
| drunken man.
Mr.. Edwards stood near the door.
Vance, with Marcia beside him, near the
sofa. In the center, Squire Douglas,
| with a lady on one arm. a child held by
cold as death. the child with round, as
! tonished eyes.
Louis tottered step forward, ashy
! white, with strained eyes bent upon the
group before him. with parched choking
throat. with stiffened lips. An instant
he stood--then turned to fly. But Mr..
Edwards locked the door, and stood
| against it.
Louis. your sin has found you out"
| said the Squire, sternly. "You may
thank these women that we do not STAY
! you where you stand. 1t would be a
| light punishment for treachery as base
| as yours" The Squire was exerting all
his self-control. Louis quite lost his.
"Who has-has-done this"' he STAN
mered. Have you?" And he sprang
like an enraged demon toward his wife,
| who only moaned family, and dropped
her head. Vance srrang forward-so
did the Squire. lie pushed Vance away,
and put Nettie behind him, saying,
| Back boy! This is my dealn'
| Peace, coward Numbered the Squire
to the shrinking Louis. Silence, sir!
You have forfeited all right to address
this injured lady. You have to face men
nov. This is her home; we are her pro-
tectors. Interfere, and the law shall
deal with you. Have you a certificate of
your marriage with her in this house?'
'Ye-esw Kissed the culprit. Thin
| my trunk"
.'Get it, and bring it here Vance, Ed
wards, each OF you take an arm, lead him
to his room, and bring him back. Vance,
have you revolverT"
| Eyes, SIR" Vance drew the cleaning
weapon from his pocket
/ III lie tries TO escape, SnOOL MIN. SnOOt
| him like the dog he is! Never mind the
| women, but shoot! Do you hear?"
| Louis offered no resistance; he knew
| these men were not triaing. They led
him to his room, let him produce the pa
per. then took him back hastily. lest they
/! should meet some of the wedding guests,
before this evil. unhidden one could be
banished from the house.
! They gave the paper to Nettie, the 9th
er unbidden yet welcome guest. She re-
ceived it, and sank again, almost sense
| less, in Marcia's tender embrace. 'Now
| co." said the Squire, extending his hand
1--WE have spared your caitiff life this
time! Cross the threshold of this hon
ornble home once more, and it is forfeit
ed! COP
| The wretched Louis skunk away, baf-
fed, ruled and banished forever from
the presence of virtue and truth.
While in the parlor the guests were
assembled to witness the wedding which
never took place.
(To be continued.)
l