The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-11-30

south. She WAS q silent pale woman OF
three and thirty now, who did the
s~ttailoress" work Of the neighborhood,
and had hard WORK to get along.
But her dark brown eyes lighted up
when Mr.. Clay spoke of his far-off home
and her cheek glowed scarlet when Mr..
Sewell chuckled out:
$50 the three old maids wouldn't
have nothing to say to you? Fla, ha,
hal"
aDe you blame them?" said Jerome.
Goals naturally want to better them
selves nowadays. If you'd come back
with your pockets full Of gold. they'd
sing q different song, you'd see."
Aurilla looked pitying.y. at Jerome
Clay. She, too, had found life q failure,
and in her quiet way did all that she
could to comfort the tall, quiet man,
who had hired the spare chamber In
her fathers house for q few weeks, since
his cousins had altogether omitted 10
invite him as their guest ct the old
place.
She was not pretty-never had been
but she had q sweet, oval face, with
fringed eyes, and q mild, wistful express
sion, which jerome Clay liked.
And one day she spoke out what was
in her heart.
"Mr. Clay" she said, 81 can't help
thinking Of those poor, little, mother
them here, I'll take care Of them. / al.
ways liked children, and il shall cost
you nothing. Father will let me have
the big north bed room for a nursery,
and their board won't signify. They
can 90 to the public school, and I'll
make their clothes, If you'll buy the ma
terial."
"Aurilla, you are a genuine woman!'
said Mr.. Clay, earnestly. None of my
cousins have spoken to me like this"
MISUNDERSTANDING they didn't think
of It'll" faltered Aurilla,
Possibly dryly remarked Mr.. Clay.
But, Anrllla," gently retaining her
hand, sis it of nv children only that
you think? Have you no tender, plying
feeilng-the sweet sensation that is akin
to love, you know-ior me? Aurilla will
you be my wife,"
And Aurilla did not refuse.
Nov that you have pronlsed to mar.
ry me" said Jerome Clay. II will tell
you all my plans. Aurilla. l have
bought a house here
Here, Jerome?"
Eyes, here. Will you come with me
to look at it7"
81 will go wherever you wish, Je-
rome" said the ~bride-elect, in a sort of
innocent pewllaerment.
MI. Clay put her into q little carriage
at the door, and drove her upthe noun
tain.side. through, the huge, stone gate
way of White Castle, to the velvet lawns
in front of the colonnad.I portico,
where statues of Ceres and Proserpina
stood in dazzling marble on either side,
and an antique sun-dial marked the
golden footsteps Of the God of Day.
"It's a beautiful PLACED" said Aurilla,"
he answered quietly, "it is our home"
"You mean to tell me, dear" cried
the delighted widow, "that you've been
fortunate enough to receive the agency
l thought MI. Wright"
"Mr. Wright is the agent STILL" said
Clay.
What I mean is that L have bought
White Castle and its ground. This fine
old house is to be your home hencefor-
ward, Anrilla.n
"But, Jerome, I thought you were a
poor manP"
"Did l eyer tell you SOP" he laughing
ly retorted. "Did l ever tell anyone so?
If the good people in Elm Mountain
choose to believe mt a pauper, is it fair
to hold me responsible for
their rash consciousness? No. Aurilla!
In money, l am rich-rich beyond my
widest aspirations. But when first |
came to Elm Mountain, l believed
myself bankrupt, indeed. in the sweet
coin of love and human kindness. Sweet.
heart, it is sc with me now. 1t was veur
hand that unlocked the gate OF happi-
ness to me; it shall be your hand that is
to reap the rich reward"
he bent, and kissed her forehead ten
derly.
but the children" she cried.
THE children are with their maternal
aunt, at the Windsor hotel in New
York." he answered. "The boy is sooD
to enter college, and the girls are both
engaged to be married to southern gen.
tlemen, and after brief visit ..here will
return to New Orleans with their aunt.
SO, my darling, your tender solicitude
was not required after ALL"
Aurilla sighed softly. She had some.
how lOnged for the touch of little chill
dren's hands in her own, the sound oil
small, child voices in her ear. But she
looked into Jerome's loving eyes, and
was satisfied. He loved her-was not
that enough
And the Three Old Maids are sharper,
more untidy and shrill.voiced than ever.
since they have realized the fatal mis-
take they made in refusing the ovcrtures
OF their cousin Jerome.
And q manHuvering, managing crea.
ture is the tenderest appellation they ap
plysto Mrs. Jerome Clay. Things would
have been so widely different if they
had known.
p .E-.- a".