Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1881-02-24
KENNETH'S RESOLVE.

Kenneth Winnard stood like a statue
in his handsome library. His face was
as white rs the snow which lay with
ont, and his eyes seemed, I'm their ex-
preston. To he wholly unconscious of
anything about him.
a beautiful young girl had just left
him, and taken with her the bright
hopes and happy aEticipations which
Tor twelvemOnth had gladdened his
heart. He stood as though he would
never stir or smile again, and his dis
appointment and sorrow were the same
to him rs II numberless hearts had not
felt the same. the very same grief
which was tearing away every desire
for future existence.
Something flashed suddenly into bis
face. He started. The sun was. Ytist
setting. and the startling lash ( was
from the beautiful diamond ring which
lay at his feet. the ring which lhad
sealed his betrothal with beautiful
Claudia Drummond. lie, with m3n's
foolish heart, had thought her, an angel.
and had expected that nothing but
death WO0ld part them. lie wasa man
wealth. and had lived In luxury and
ease al his life.
As the diamonds brilliant reflection
was thrown across his face. he looked
down. rs u from instinct. and saw the
little eirclet lying where he had drop
ped II when Claudia DrummOnd had
placed Il I'm his hand. lie raised hia
foot and was about 20 crush II into the
carpet, when suddenly the expression
changed upon his face. he stopped and
took Il In his hand. and turned Il about
In many different ways To see the light
of the low sun flash upon IL.
81 will keep II" he said. Ito remind
me continually Of wOman's incOnstan-
cy."
With his knife he pried apart the
golden ring upon his watch-chain and
slipped the ring upon IL. lie sat down
In nm easy chair by the window. and rs
he watched the going down Of the great
sun, new thoughts. new hopes and new
desires took the place Of the old ones.
and never had lac felt himself So much
man as when. after an hours medi-
tation in solitude. he arose and left the
library. He passed through the dainty
reception room and opened the door of
the hall.
n pleasant murmur Of voices greet
ell his ear. lie stood q moment irreso-
lutte. then as IL to prove the strength of
his new determination. he crossed the
hall and entered the parlor. There
was Claudia sitting by the side Of her
new lover, the man who had won her
heart from him. lie saw that another
ring flashed upon her finger, I'm the
place of his. and her checks were glow
ing with the joy Of her new engage
ment. His brothers wife was there,
too, and his niece. and he knew by the
pleasant smiles upon their faces and
their lively chat that they either did
not know OF his disappointment or did
not sympathize with him i'm his great
grief.
His rival was his nephew IA man
not much younger than HIMSELF and
he seemed I'm his own great happiness
to forget the sorrow Of his uncle, and
the great wrong he had done him.
When Kenneth Winnard entered the
room, there was an unpleasant silence
for moment, but the compOsure of
WV ANINNA'N hAtAiis lAh fttot Nllu NpDdl-
rent Indifference, broke up the still
ness.
II was just wondering where you
were Kenneth" said Mrs. Graves.
'Come into the charmed circle, do, and
chat with us"
mo. Fm going TO give you some
music" said Kenneth, taking his seat
upon the piano stool.
lie never played better, and the room
seemed filled with the music. All were
silent, and Claudia listened and forgot
Tor moment the new lover beside her
she saw the diamond ring dangling
from his watch-chain. and saw his ami.
mated face as he played. and she was
chagrined, and half angry that he had
given her up so easily. Her new Lover
seemed to notice Il too, and a portion OF
The charm was gone. the prize he wor
from another was not after all Of mucl
value.
"A servant opened the door.
iiease Mrs. Graves" she said 9th,
little girl has come again for the pa,
Tor her sewing. and she says she mus
have II this time. for they will suffel
without H."
I'm sorry, but 1 can't pay her To
night An the money / have by m,
must go with me on my shopping ex
c'irsion tomorrow. Tell the Girl I'm
sorry. but ] can't pny IL tonight. tina
Is certain"
The music ceased. Kenneth winnar,
turned about for his ear, quickened b