The Grant County herald. (Big Stone City, Grant County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1883, 1880-09-25

fdences. Tie last evening of my stay,
however, | sail to her 81 wish you
happiness, Mnly. Kenneth has told me
of your engagement. She smiled and
answered Dear Kenneth ] am sure
! shall be happy with him.
"Oh, how hated her at that moment
/ soon made prctext to leave her room.
Kenneth was haunting the hail awaiting
my appearance. He detained me by
gentle force, and said, Come into the
library Mvra'
souvenir OF our eternal fidelity and the
purity of our resolves.
HE took my hand and placed this
quoted my uneasy conscience by
saying to myself, Surely, / may see
hum tins once tomorrow J. 60. /
took my old place by the window, but
the AIR was cold and the room strangely
cheerless. Kenneth lowered the win
dow and leaned against it, | sat with
downcast eyes. felt that he was look
ing at me, and l toyed nervously with
the fringe Of my shawl. The silence
was becoming painful I lifted my eyes.
You had something you wished to
say to me-
80 Yes, Myra l have become in
some degree reconciled to your decision.
l can see it is best. With your encour-
agement and example it will be possible
for me to keep my honor safe from
further doubt. And yet T believe
strong anI pure friendship is still pos
wrong no one.
81 believe so, too and yetit must be
SO strong that it will need no reassur
ances. We must indulge no hope OF
meeting.
''' Still cruel, but right. ] understand
the purity Of your motives, and but love
you the more. / have little token Of
remembrance for you, Myra, he said,
dawing small velvet case from his
procket. Wear it, dear friend, as a
cameo on my finger, and it has never
been removed. / gave him a slender
gold ring OF mine in exchange. Our
love is unchanged and unchangeable. In
three months he aud Milly we're mar
ried, and have heard that he is kind
husband"
Her voice sunk almost to a
whisper. I pressed my face against
hers, trying to express my sympathy.
We sat thus few minutes then she
lifted her head, saying, q It was wrong
in me to trouble you with my private
griefs.
No, it was not wrong. I shall re-
spect you all my life for knowing Of
your temptation and your triumph. A
weaker woman would have yielded you
were firm, and / honor you, Cousin
Mirabel."
"A sense OF having done right has u
wonderful power to sustain one, she
answered, land am not unhappy, ex-
cept at long intervals, when | am over
whelmed by the memory Of what might
have been. Generally after such day
as this | hear news Of Kenneth. Two
years ago to-day l wandered up and
! down the beach, thinking Of him, and
that very night l heard that his wife
was dead and that he had sailed for
! Europe"
And have you heard nothing from
lim since 2" | asked. in surprise.
Not word, but / know he has not
ceased to love me, and be has some good
reason for not writing" Her absolute
belief III his devotion was something
wonderful to behold. The clock struck IL,
and we arose and bade each other good
night; the fire had long been out, and
DISMAL ram Was l.lllIg.
The next morning was bright and
beautiful all the clouds had cleared
away, and Cousin Mirabel was positively
radiant. 90 had the sweetest dream, =
che said in answer to my compliment
e,n her looks. While we were enjoying
cozy and delicious breakfast there came
rap at the .1oos. A messenger from
the village hotel had brought note for
Iny cousin. She did net recognize the
writing, but tearing it open hastily she
saw at the bottom Of the page the name
OF Kenneth Deering.' She ran Der
eyes over the note: / saw good news III
her face, and was not unprepared for
her joyful exclamation %, Clara
Kenneth is at the village, sud will be
here to-day" She caught up the note
and read from it
Ever since Milly's death, two years
ago, | have been Wanderer. ! be
lievea YOU to be married, and, much as
| desired to see you, could not trust my
self to visit You. Only last night | heard
that Nou were free and living III this
neignborhood.
She looked mp and said. HE may bs
here in little while. Ny dear Ken
meth, / know his impatlence.
Sure enough he had followed close
after his message, and, before | coulo
collect my scattered wits, handsome
bearded stranger was clasplng my Cous.
in Mirabel in his arms, utterly regard.
less Of my presence. | was presented
when the first rapture OF meeting was
over, but still they had only thoughts
for each other. l never saw such per-
tect affection existing between two per.
sons. When Judge Parkhnrst came hs
cot d sdecided answer.
! always spend my vacations at Cous