Kimball enterprise. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1883, 1883-07-06
PAPA'S BLESSING.


here, you must see to him until come.
BE kind and polite to him, my dear.
He is really very well-meaning and
unassuming fellow, and the most useful
bookeeper ever mad. He has seemed
9 little out ofsorts lately, and am sure
would be most grateful for any little at
tention from you."
This, Richard Blair, the rich tea
merchant, had said to his daughter in
the morning, on leaving his pretty villa
for the city, with an amount of pompous
.condescension which clearly manifest
ed his sentiments with regard to book
keepers and their kin.
Dora was an obedient daughter, as
her reception of her fathers guest that
evening plainly showed; but certainly
the worthy tea-merchant would have
found abundant cause to retract his
opinion as to the same guests modest
and unassuming character if he had
been witness Of his demeanor on that
occasion; for no sooner had the door
closed upon the servant who ushered
him into the presence of his young mis-
tress than-totally unabashed and un-
blushiDg-he took the young girl into
his arms only releasing her after leaving
upon her ripe. red lips at least half a
dozen warm kisses.
Dora, not appearing the least sur
prised or disconnected at this greeting,
bore unhinchingly the situation for fully
two minutes before she blushingly drew
back and endeavored to bring into
something like order her soft brown
hair, which, with the dainty rufHe at her
throat, had become somewhat disar-
ranged by the welcome she had SO obed-
.iently given her fathers guest.
1t is a long time since I haye seen
you, Harry" she remarked, with be-
wildering glance from beneath the thick
lashes shading the large gray eyes.
should think SO, indeed-quite an
age!" responded the book keeper dis
malIy. II managed to get away
half an hour before the time your father
told me he should be home, hoping to
up before he's expected-it's Just my
luck!"
Harry, do you know why my father
has sent for you tonight"
] haven't an idea. excepting that it's
something about the branch of business
III Hong Kong"
II can enlighten you little, then,
though / hardly think you will be pleas
ed as my father seems to expect. One
of the men in the house has just died !;
he had rather responsible position, I
believe, and papa wants to send you
out to take his place.
AS if anything could induce me to
leave you, Dora!" cried the young man.
"Why, the separation would probably
be for years!'
- am afraid you must go. Harry"
vas the girls rather sorrowful response.
You know my father; your refusal to
obey his wishes would probably make
something very like an enemy of him,
and render matters between us even
more hopeless than they are at pres
ent.''
0Dora, / must speak to your father
cried the young man excitedly. "When
he finds that his draghter's happiness is
involved, he can't be heartless enough
to refuse our united prayers. He seems
to feel rather kindly toward me. ANY.
thing would be better than this uncer'
tainty!'
mo, dear Harry. Believe me, it
would only be exchanging uncertainty
for positive resignation of all hopes.
know my father well, and it is useless tc
to hide from myself and you that be
loved money far better than his child
He has declared over and over agair
{ at he will never give his consent to my
marriage with a man poorer than him
self; and l know he will never retrac
his word"
''And you advise me to go OFF to Chi
ma, with the probability of never seeing
L.
than that, surely!''
think! / heard oft only this morning
cried Dora, on the verge of tears
There comes papa now, and have 81
much still to say to you. must see yor
again. Could you manage to come dowr
on Thursday tthis time for half an hour
My father is going to dinner in the city
on that evening"
"Of.course can," responded Harry
just as the door opened to admit The
master of the establishment.
sOh, Wynn, you arrived firstl Promp
as eyer--a most excellentlquality in {
young man. hope myadaughter has
made you comfortable-eh, Dora?"
y tried to do SO papa" responded the
young lady deElurely. II suppose my
company can be dispensed with now?"
Yes, my dear, You may GO. By the
way, you may as well send us s bottle
of wine please"
We'll, Wynn" began the merchant
when the two men we're left alone, as
he walked up and down the room, ev.
identity satisfied with himself and all
the world, II haveto tell you that there
1s excellent news from America; we
have closed contract with that firm in
q New York of which you have heard me