Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1905-03-17


you are twenty-one. Let us 80 over
10 the mex toHn and be qnietly mar
Tied. have a special license. For my
uncle has sent for me 10 come TO him,
and as he is all alone in the world |
cannot refuse to remain with him for
the last few months--it may, be even
less-that he WI be spared. But ]
shrink from going away, Norma. and
leaving you alone TO the tender mercies
OF Mrs. K~ayanaugh. She is your dead
fathers only sister. but she treats you
as she would not dare 10 treat "A SER
want. Marry me. Norma, and, come
what May, at least your bondage viii
be ended
Richard TraVess stopped and kissed
girl ai his side.
She tried TO smile. but the sweet lips
would not be forced into such an eN-
hfbitioD, and instead she broke down
and sobbed on his breast.
oh, Dick. Dick! How can i let you
go?" she cried. "For you are all the
sunshine in my life. Aunt Emma is a
real tyrant over me. and Lena is worse.
And Dick, i am afaTid-I suspect h
Lena ifEes you n ~little!"
His handsome face flushed, but he
laughed lightly. An, Richard Travers
knew more than ne chose to tell! For
Lena Kavanaugh had acknowledged
her affection for him only the night be-
fore. and he had told her gently but
firmly tina he did not care for her. that
there was but n I'M in this world
for whom he cared, and that was her
cousin, Norma Andrews.
And Dick mad not forgotten the bale
ful look in Lena's big black eyes AZ he
made this imprudent confession.
Perhaps this was secretly the real
reason why he urged Norma 10 marry
him hG fGwe ha wont aUap fhnuuh they
must keep the marriage q secret until
Ire should return TO claim her.
Ii was not q difficult task to convince
Norma, and at last she gave him her
promise. The next day he obtained
permission TO take Norma out for a
drive, and they rode to a neighboring
town, where a clergyman Dick knew
was awaiting them to pePformNfhe GER
NOM
And so, when Dick Travels. drove
back to the old kavanaugh house. it
was bis wife who sat by his side in the
trap--bis own little wife!
He kissed the sweet red lips as he
lifted her from he vehicle.
God bless my wife," he whispered
softly.
Nobody suspected what had taken
place.
Dick left the following day for Il
~neighboring city to remain with his dy-
Ing relative, a rich old bachelor.
Hardly a week had elapsed when
Mrs. KaDaagh pon1pously announced
that the old Travers had expressed "A
desire 10 see Lena once more before
he died. The Kavanaghs and the
TraVerses were remotely connected by
marriage.
Il shall sem her over at once" said
Lena's mother.
So Lena went. and the days drifted
by and grew into weeks; still she did
not return.
odd Travers is getting better since
Lena's ARRIVAL" Mrs. Kavanagh eX-
claimed.
But one thing troubled poor Norma
sorely. Letters from Dick Travers-
her husband-had ceased to arrive, and
although she wrote regularly, her let
ters failed TO elicit a response. And
none Of the correspondence between
them had contained the slightest refer
nee to the secret marriage.
Norma would have had trouble in
proving the fact. had she wished TO
do so, for Dick had taken possession
of the certificate If marriage, and The
clergyman who had performed the
ceremony bad gone away to parts I'M
known.
Time passed and at last the blow
fell upon poor Norma. One morning
Mrs. kavanagh received a letter from
her daughter which seemed TO cause
her great satisfaction and delight.
We'll, Lena has done well.i she
cried, eagerly. She has married Rich
ard Travers, and, OF course all the
Travers fortune will be hers now. II
is true ] do not fancy her marrying
away fiuHn nome, Out under the CIR
cumstances | can forgive her anything!
Lena is a dear girl, and beautiful, too"
added the fond mother compIacently,
and she deserves to do well. / shall
go to visit he- in a short time. She
Invites me cordially n says l must
forgive her for her hasty marriage. L
an only too pleased to hear OF her
good fortune"
To Mrs. Kavanagh's surprise and dis
gust, Moran rose and left the room in
silence. Mrs. Kavanagh tossed her
head.
"Umph! Spiteful thing. She is jeal-
Gus. But Norma Andrews was never
like other girls. l am glad dear Lena
IL not Xix her in any way!"
Mrs. Kavanagh was somewhat start
led when her neice made her appear
nee the next day and demanded money
with which to make 4 short journey. Z
Mrs. Kavanagh lifted her hands in
horror.
Where are you going? And what
earthly business a you have run
ming about the country all alone? Pri-
waite business? You? / don't believe
you have any at ALT"
II am going all the same. Aunt
Emma returned the clear. cold voice.
'.and you shall defray my travelling ex-
penses. My father left money In Your
hands FOR me. ! know it,"
Mrs. Kavanagh fell back, pale TO
the very lips. her eyes full Of wild ter
'ror, which convinced Norma that her
random shot had told, n that II was
as she long suspected. She had not
been left in Mrs. Kavanagh's care des-
titute.
II merely ASK enough OF my own
money 10 pay my own way 10 Dayton"
the girl went on FIRMLY.
'Daytoni In the name OF goodness,
wha takes you there-"
Norma's pale face. grew a shade
paler.
That is my affair." she answered
quietly.
SO Norma set out on her dreamy
journey 10 Dayton-to her false hus-
band.
lie could not marry Lena kavanagh
while / am his Wife," the poor girl
murmered, as the train sped along.
She reached Dayton at last and went
straight 10 the handsome home or Dick
Travers' uncle. Ringing the bell. she
WAS shown into 4 drawing room into
the presence OF Lena and old Mr..
Travefs, who lay npon a sofa. and
yes, Dick Trayers himself. He started
10 his feet with ascry Of joy.
Norma. my dprling." he cried kiss
ing her before the Others. What has
been the natter 1 have not heard u
word from, you for weeks. and WAS half
mad with anxfesy. and WAS on the