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

VIZ ifoui some unkhoWn quarter. he Sale
nothing 10 any Of lis friends, but his healtL
gradually broke down, and from being . no.
b st, activs man, he became in the course OF q
year an invalid. A second attack OF paralysis
was the immediate cause of Mr. Maitiand's last
visit, and no on knew better than the paiient
that his days were numbered.
"Ah, we'll" he used sometimes to say, '1
| don't want to live and several people want mc
to die-the majority ought to have their wish. ,
However, when Mr.. Fletcher found himself
at Nice, with ita charm ng surroundings and
delightful climate, no almost began to have
regrets that he must 30 soon bid farewell IL
existence.
IL wish, Maitland, l had come here sooner
he said one day. 'Why didn't you order M
here long ago?"
1T wouldn't have done you any good, aud !
thought you preferred England
ESQ 1 do to live in; but this is the sort OF
place to die in."
Maitland made no ATTEMPT to turn his
thoughts; his patient always resented it il he
did.
II hope you are having a pleasant time here
as WE'LL" continued Mr. Fletcher. 81 dom,
want to monopolizt you, you know" s5g3
'Thahks; l think I've shown you l car
leave you alone occasionally"
81 didn't know You had friends here. VIII
are those people | saw you talking to this m9rri-
Ing in the garden?'
1.-The knstcrtons: l only know them slightly. >
HIN! Cough he'd Nh, Flstcner. II should
have thought you knew one of them ratuol
we'll. She's u pea ant 10 'king girl"
Maitland tried his best t, look Unconscious,
and fattered him-clf he succeeded.
on, l know tho one you mean," he said
bat lie isn't ono of the Kesterions; she's s
Miss Fletcher"
Same name as mine9 Well, Fletchers arc
cornmo enough"
"Nes, but not sreh Tletchers as she" re.
marked Maitland. Ftt1
Tia N,lI .rnnkIN,y,,, - .l.l .-k n.J,. l.,
thoughts bad evidently wandered back 10 Ole
times. Maitland VAS careful not to disturb
him; he had noticed latelv that his revcfics
had become moro frequent, and that they
seemed to soften the acerbity OIL is nature.
They we're seated on the terrace. where they
often came to watch the passcrs by; it sccmeti
to please the Invalid 10 see the gay life OF
which he could no longer be IL partaker.
The young decor was still slit ng silently
when Nbe was interrupted with: Bring hor
her; | want 10 speak 10 her
He looked up aud saw the young lady OF
whom they had been speaking approaching
them. By her SHE ran u little giri seven or
eight years oil. '
DO you wish TO know her:" asked Matt.
land.
Yes: why should you lie afraid of meg tn
not likely TO be a ~rival.n
Maitland fell. tins WAS a honle-thrust; TIM
old mans eyes We're keen ellougn yet. He
went forward to meet Miss Fletcher, closely
watched by his patient.
"Amy."h he SAID, 81 wan. to introduce you to
a patient of mine. Oudlv enough he has The
same name AZ you. You will do him and me q
Kindness il you Will tax to him a fow min.
utes."
q with pleasure, SIR replied Amy, adding
in a halt whisper: $50 it is kindness to you
for me 10 talk to some one else, is its" G
''Sit down here. my dear" said tue invalid.
after a few minutes general talk. maitland
will you take little missy 10 see that wonderful
cactus a. tho end vi tile terrace? | want &c
talk to Mes Fletcher a little" ~
Maitland obeyed, glad 10 find that he had
interested his patient i'll q new direction. He
took lille Cissy's hand and marched her of
toward the cactus, though she seemed scarcely
to like Having Miss Fletcher.
She soon began talking about her, and fount
that her companion was an appreciative lis.
tener. Not only that, but he asked questions
about her, o most uuju-titiable proceeding, OF
course but he salved his conscience by areu
ing that nothing Clssy could say would a,tel
his opinion OF her eovernness, and it was very
pleasant to'h,ar her praises sounded by q dis
Interested observer.
Attic end of q quarter of an hour they re
turned to the seat. Amy rose as they ap
preached.
"Msitlaud," said Mr.. Fletcher. 81 am goinl
to stay out here for another hour or SO; YOU
hai better accompany this young lady home
You will find nue. here when you return"
Maitland did not make any very heightened
protest.
"How do you like my old friend:' he aske;
when 'hev were Oui e out of hearing.
u think he is delightful > was Amy's reply
"Nhat did you talk aboutY'
"All sorts of things. He asked me q lot O
questions how oil! | was--thai WAS very rude
wasn't i'?-and about my fath.r and mother
and how it was l lived with the kesterions.n
And what did you say a.
told him that You conld tell him NOR
about me than / could myself. He seemed
rather surprised. should not wonder If yo,
came in for Il cross examination this evening
"Did he ask you to come and talk to hin
AGAIN."
"Yes. Why?' ee rssf
81 suppose because he liked your society,
replied Maitland, wilfully misint@rpreting he
question "Be sure you come 10 the terrac,
at the same time To- morrow.
eyes. l will make q point of it, 30 you Cal
consider yourself relieved. H.. set,.
81 may be relieved, but don't intend to b.
dismissed again. replied Maitland, with
laugh. 81 suppose l have no excuse goo,
enough for coming in?' he added, as the,
reached tho door of the villa hired by the Kes
%tcrtons. s' i- .as F0a
II must leave you to settle that question:
II have no excuse a. all, but I'm coming il
oil the same if you will let NE" Ff'
1T isn't my house." replied Amy. 4r5a
"Tha is a very ungracious invitation,
said Maitland, az he accompanied her into til
hall.
When Maitland, half an hour later, ~returne,
to his patti mt, no found him talking with a ma,
| who was sitting newt him. 'He III making nc
quaintance to-day" thought the young doctor
As he approached. however, he saw that th,
supposed strange was Mr. Fietchcr's nephew
F'cd Dexter.
'Ahl Mait'aud," was his greeting, there
am. you see @
Yes put in the old gentleman, on who's,
nature his nephew always acted ns an irri
tant: where the carcass is you know, Matt
land"
"Oh, come, uncle. you're not a carcass. yet
protested Dexter. 'Ynu might have blamed m
with more rca on if I'd waited till you were ON
beforeI came to see yon."
Fl seems to be under the impression tina
l shall be able to blame him after PM dead, y
remarked Mr.. Fletcher, sarcasticaily, to Matt
land. zi5 .6.Elul y ea r .ls
"Oh, come. uncle, I don't see why 70,
should always put the worst Interpretation OF
all / say"
at won't bear any other" pettshly replie'
the old man. ."WLo told you l was hsre?'
Maitland. wrote and asked him abou
| you"
$40 you mind letting me see that letter."
Maitland here interposed aud said he be
lieved ho had not kept it
"Thats a pity" said Dexter. 81 should lik
to have shown it you that You might see whc
my letters about you are like
Let us go IN SAID Mr.. Fletcher. III
getting tired. You will dine with us tonight?
"Many thanks, uncle, but I've promised to SCI
some people tonight"
"'Whoy" a -Fs r.
''Ihey are called Kcsterton."
D you know them" inquired Maitland
| rather anxiously.
"Oh, yes; very we'll Do you2'
slightly
There's a very nice girl&in the house
so TT of companion, or govcrness. She's Gale
FLETCHER; same name as uncle's. Odd coinc
ence, isn't it?"
q "Come!" said Mr.. Fletcher. peremptorily.
After dinner, instead Of trying to get hi
usually nap, Mr.. Fletcher sat IN his easy chai,
evidently IN a very excited frame Of mind. Il
seemed undecided what to do; he tidsete,
about with ono book and then another till II
last he threw Thorn down and called out "Mait