Kimball enterprise. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1883, 1883-06-22
sister. At last he made a desperate

her sister At last he made desperate
effort and said: :, ~.
ing only on business, but l nave iof
long time wanted to say something 10
YOU about matter" -
excuse me Just for an instant, MAJOR,
interrupted Miss Nel), tine gas IS ms
sing dreadfully. Won't you be sooo
enough to see which burner 1t lsY I'm
lust too short, to reach anv OF thein' III
sorry to say" H.
The Major fastened to the rescue lie
heard A kissing noise, as OF the escape
of too much gas; he could not be sure
which of the six burners was a. iault'
he turned down one after another unlsoN
the noise stopped and the parlor was ~
"Yon are very kind" murmured
Miss Nell as the major resumed ms seat
near her; "the blowing OF gas is dreadful
annoying to the ear by the way you
were saving that ..
Tie major resisted temptation 10
say 'Oh, nothing OF any consequence
and said: ... ....-...--...
al have been long the most reveren
adorer of a certain Young LADY VINO
"Oh Maiorn exclaimed Miss Nell;
"the idea of YOU being IN love. Did
you''--
Excuse me, Miss Walerson," said
the Major hastily, but no one is COM
petent to pass an opinion on my condi-
ton of mind but myself. | fully Know
my own feelings, and merely wish an
opportunity to explain them III such
manner as ma be most respectful:
Il beg your pardon, Major" said Miss
Nell. now entirely on her guard.
please continue, and believe no one
here can doubt your sincerity.
The Majors heart gave mighty,
bound; evidently this mischievous girl
suspected something and was willing to
suppress herself.
II have long been worshiping a lady
whom | would have been glad to make
my wife," continued the major, ''lt
had not feared that my love and what
else had to offer her would not COM
pensate for what she would be obliged
to give up"
Your thoushtfulness does you honor,
Major said Nell, in the klndest way in
the world.
"Thank you-thank you.' said the
Major hastily. Perhaps then you will
understand why speak with more than
my customary freedom. Miss Waller
son, | was trained in my youthful days
to such unQuestioning reverence for
woman as that feel almost like thief
when l think OF asking any woman for
her hand and heart"
again, Major, must say that your
thoughtfulness and delicacy do you
honor" said Miss Nell. as demurely as
if she had never teased any one in her
life.
THANK you-thank YOU said the Ma
jor again. II would like first to explain
myself, if | may trouble you for mo-
ment. am, believe an honorable
man; have good business and good
bank account l want to devote both,
and my life beside, to the service of the
sweetest woman that ever lived. | can
not expect her to love me as love her,
for SIZE is an angel and am only--well,
only man."
"a true man," said Miss Nell, still as
demure as a parson, sis as good as any
thing else in the word-even as good as
3 true woman"
"Do you really think so?" asked the
Major. Il must believe you against my
will, but entirely according to ma incli-
nation. Well, the woman whom l love
yon know very we'll; no one could know
her better; she is pure, good, sweet,
noble, tender
"Major-najor, exclaimed Miss Nell.
Please don't contradict me on this
particular point" said the Major; q
'Then,' said Miss Nell, ''it would be
very impolite in me to contradict, but
really
Really" said the Major, :" am weigh
ing my words most carefully and mean
all say. | want to offer her all | am
anu have, under any conditions she NAV
Impose. Don't imagine me imrulsive
or rash III this matter" continued the
major, extending both his hands in his
earnestness.
Il mean''-What the Major wanted 10
say was never explained, for Miss Nell.
entirely IN accordance with her own
idea of what the excited man was irving
to say. murmured "Enough!" fell upon
the Majors breast and threw her arm
around the Majors neck.
What could the astonished man dop
What would any gentleman do under
such circumstances? Miss Alice tripped
into the parlor, found it dark, turned
the gas, saw the couple, and exclaimed:
"Oh my"
Her sister looked up into the Majors
face for second time, then dropped
ner brow on his shoulder and ex-
claimed:
ooh my
And the Major, looking down at the
tace before him, now entirely empty of
r,ogulshness and everything else but ten
derness, forgot all the past, placed his
arms a5outthe graceful figure that rested
on him, and said:
"Oh myw
And although he has been married
ten years, he never has had reason to
regret his mistake.