The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1874-05-27
From the Cincinnati Commercial
DADDY DINKLE'S WARDS.
A Quiet story.
fCon.iuded.I

The foolish, handsome boy didn't
know what he was saying, didn't
know much of the nature of girls,
or he never would have blurted out
that he knew Theo. had laid her
silly, romantic girls heart at his
feet, and that he had no use for the
gentle gift. It was a brutal speech
to make, and no girl alive would
ever have forgiven him for it, es-
pecially when he went SO far as to
suggest the transfer of her maiden
affections to somebody else. But
Edward Wallace didn't know any
better. He had no idea in his bless
ed innocence of the stol m he was
raising. Theo. stopped tapping
with her foot, and sat like stone
woman.
"Why don't you say something,
Theof"
She sprang up with a white face.
and eyes blazing. She stamped on
the floor passionately.
ssNed Wallace, don't you ever
speak to me again as long as you
liveI''
He started in dismay.
'.Do you mean that, Theo?"
Il mean every word of it. If ]
live till am hundred years old,
I'll never forget nor forgive what
you said to me just now. To tell
me to my face that you know I am
in love with you, and if it's just as
convenient, you wish I'd make it
somebody else. Oh, good God, it's
too much!'
She covered her face with her
hands, her cheeks flaming with
anger and bitter humiliation. Ed.
ward Wallace made the sudden and
uncomfortable discovery that he
had hopelessly put his foot in it
He knew of old something of the
temper he had aroused and he stood
appalled,.
"Theodora," said he, with faint
sound Of emotion in his voice, ''you
and 1 have been good chums all
our lives. Once, when you were a
little girl, l remember you had pet
kitten which you liked very much.
One day you caught that kitten
killing some young birds You
had liked her better than anything
else in the world, yet you took the
pretty kitten and strangled her with
your own hands, and from that day
to this you have never allowed
another cat in the house. Are YOU
going to turn away from me to night
for good and all!'
"Yes" answered Theo., speaking
very slowly, ''for good and all.
can't get over things like other
people. I don't want to. After
to night I shall never speak to YOU
again until I forgive you, and that
will never be on earth
Then good bye, Theodora," an
swered he, speaking, unlike himself,
very rapidly. I'm more sorry
than I can tell, that I've offended
you. Always remember that when
You think of me, if You ever do. Ii
you don I find me here in the morn
ing, you will know why"
So he turned and went away.
Theodore covered her face with her
hands, and burst into passionate
tears-the woman's weak refuge of
tears
Next morning at breakfast Theo.
came into the dining room, and
Daddy Dinkle handed her a note,
and said:
"Read this to me, Thec. I found
it on my plate just now"
It Was from Edward, and IL said:
s1DEAR FArBER D1NKIEB.cH. I've
started TO Brazil, I could not do as
you wanted I know how uncrate-
full it seems, too. and l wish could
pleas you, but / cannot. Forgive
and forget me, if you can, and may
God bless You and Theo.
EDWARD WALLACE
Daddy Dinkle leaned his head on
his hands and groaned It was a
cruel blow, and it stunned him
A dim mist came over has eyes for
q moment When he looked up
Theo vss crying in the corner.