The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-12-14

i - WV DuU OWN w
be-. am almost home. / shalt never
see another days sum-" And the little
wan face smiles peacefully and the little
hand reaches out into the warmth oithe
sunlight. That is why Dolly sent regrets
for the grand ball. Little Jim was on
his deathbed. sTne kind, good mar
has been here this morning, lady. How
happy you and he have made me. /
wish you knew him. He is so good and
kind and strong. Those we're his flow
ers," said Jim, as Dolly took up a bunch
of roses. .He said they we're for the
kind lady who had been so good TO lit
tie Jim. And he told me l would not I've
a dwarf in heaven"
ciled to her sacrifice and busted herself
about the sick lad. Sometimes she talked
and sometimes she sang sweet, comfort
ing hymns to him. Often she wondered
who Jim's kind friend was and how it
came about that they never should have
met here. When the woman Jim lived
with came in from her work, Dolly went
|. out for a moment to get the air and
something to eat. Little Jim still lin
gered; though longing to be at rest the
little creature had Il wonderful hold on
life; but the 'kind man. and ''dear
lady" had made the "va!ley of the sha.
dow of.death" clear and bright to Jim,
and he thought of it only as bringing
rest and Joy.
1t was now evening. the little lamp
was lighted. Dolly sat by Jim's bedside.
Ths child was quietly sleeping. at l
be dressing for the ball" and visions of
the beautiful toilet passed before her
eyes. Never mind, it is better to be
here" she said softly to herself. Just
then the door opened slowly, the lady
thought 1t was the woman in the next
room, but soon the tall form of a man
stood by her side, and bending over the
deathbed he murmured, poor lutte lad,
almost gone"
Dolly locked up; it was Philip Ora.
ham.
you here, Miss Devine? So you are
little Jim's dear kind LADY," Dolly
and were good friends, sir" and that
was all she said; but it all flas ed through
Philips mind-the gay, frivolous Dolly;
the ball, the sacrifice, the dear, kind
lady bending owe the dying boy. His
heart saw it all at a glance. He used to
think Dolly very lovely, but o ly a
thoughtless belle, and now it seemed so
different; she seemed like an angel as
she sat there holding the little hand in
her W soft warm palm.
Soon little Jim ''opened his Y tI
am almost home; only a little longernow
and I will be at rest. The poor little
dwarf is very happy. All! you here, sir,
with my dear la,iy? You haye been so
good to the sick boy, both of you, l
wanted you to know each other"
I'VE haye known each other for a
long time, jim" answered Philip, as the
little fellows head sank back. a smile
played round the pinched mouth. "I
am glad; she-is-so-so good. You
are-so-good." Death was very near
and Dolly was thankful not to be
alone.
"sing-lady-sing," Jim whispered;
and Dolly SAN. softly: Jesus can make
Il dying bed" etc. When the first verse
was finished Jim rose a little on his pill
low and taking Dolly's hand in his own
wee little one, placed it gently in Phil
Fps broad palm closing the fingers of
the latter over it. my only f~riends-so
kind-so good. Take care of her, sir;
little jim b,esses you. Take care of my
dear
he was dead. The little dwarf, weary of
life ere the FIRST chapter was ended, for
in these few pages he had read of little
but pain and sorrow.
After it was all over and little Jim was
put in the ground Philip Graham came
to see Dolly, and he told her at once in
his noble way that he would like very
much to do as the poor dwarf had said
and take care of the dear kind lady al
WAYS. No matter what Dolly said, but
with the hand once more where the dy-
ing lad had placed it she thanked
heaven for directing her to little Jim.
And now we find her again in the
sunshine making rainbows with the
diamonds in her engagement ring, and
you, US well as Dolly, knew how the
ring came to be there.
When Dolly was married she wore
the blue satin ball dress, for after Philip
learned all about it he would consent to
none other and though it was not quite
the thing for o wedding. dress, Dolly
thing Phillip might Ask.-Caroline G.
Shaw.