The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-08-31

grant, Mrs, Wilton; law and justice are not in
my hands, he said, coldly. : KS
But you eau do much; you Sre engaged for
the prosecution in the Clifton swindling case,
and-and Harry Wilton is implicated in ii. II
yon appear against him he is lost"
"Oh!' The exclamation seemed wreuched
from the very depths of Ralph oldcsstle's
heart, and was followed by a long silence. 81
will not appear against him." he said. at
length; "sdon't say anything more about, him
now, but tell me what I cando for you,''
Nothing, Ralph. I am pa st all help; but il
you will promise to be a friend to Connie when
am gone it will make my last. hours easier.
She will be utterly alone should anything
should the worst-happen to her father; but
You will save him know you will. He was
soroiy tempted, and was but the tool of others.
Have mercy on HIM, Ralph-yon who never
lknew want or misery-who, in your happy,
prosperous life, were never brought face to
lace with temptation. You must be merciful,
fer you are strong, aud he has suffered"
81 will do what l can" The words
slowly and Reluctantly, but he could not deny
the request of the woman, who with her last
breath pleaded for her husband. though he
hsd brought her to such q pitch OF misery and
destllutlon. Yet he ground his teeth with sup
pressed rage, as he felt his vengeance slowly
slipping through his fingers. He was a
hard man but he was human. and revenge was
out OF place by that couch; even Ralph Oidcas-
tie felt that.
After a little moro conversation about Con-
ME, and some feebly expressed fears for her
future, Mrs, Wilton suddenly sunk into a
doze, and in a few moments her
couch anxlouslv. 'Mother is worse"
she whispered, "what have you been saying 10
her. sir?"
"Nothing, darling, only that he will be kind
to you when I'm gone,' the invalid said, faint
ly. mi. Oldcastle has been very, very good,
Connie, and you must be grateful to him all
your life"
eyes, mother" and her eyes filled with tears.
u could not help being grateful to any one
who was kind to you f"
II have done nothing, nothing-and ], think
your mother hGd better rest; she seems very
much fatigued. I'll call again Tomorrow
and Mr.. Oldcastle left the room hurriedly,
with a strange cold feeling down the back.
Connie carried. him dangerously into the past,
and his thoughts were of her as he walked up
aud down the embankment for two hours be-
fore returning to his chambers, The ste nm
had cleared away, the atmosphere was lighter |
and tho lawyer felt lighter, too, than ne had |
been for 4 long time.
Before 10 O'Clock the next morning he had
done two things that he would have laughed to
scorn at the, mere suggestion of two days be-
fore. lie had thrown down his brief in the great
Chiffon swlndting case, and secured the services
of az able counsel to defend Henry Wilton.
Then he went round to Mrs. Wilton's lodgings,
feeling a ~sttalthy sensation of pleasure as he !
-t y ~ Otlb |
opened the door IN answer 10 his knock, laid
her finger on her lip to command silence as
she led him in. The blind was down, and the
room III deep shadow. 'Mother's asleep; she |
has slept quite peacefully for some hours" |
the girl whispered, moving on tip-toe, eve
must be very careful not to wake herr eau
tiously Ralph Oldcastle drew near the sofa, and
laid one finger on the wasted wrist. Then he
drew back suddenly. and Connie was at his
side in IL moment. One look into his face and
she read the whole truth. There was no more !
waking in this world for Constance Wilton,
aud with an exceedingly bitter cry her daugh- |
ter dropped down insenslbls at Ralph Old
castles feet
81 MIGHT HAVE KNOWN HAT TO EXPECT FROM
A WoMAN's GRATITUDE" 4
Six mouths passed by before the grim law
yer III Pump Court fully realized the great |
change that had come over him. Life was
no longer the dull monotonous routine it
had been. There was brightness and beauty
in the solidly shabby chambers, for Con-
stance Wilton was there. She had been liy-
ing with Mr.. O!dcsstle ever since her
mothers death. He took her homo that
day, and she had never left him since. His
efforts were unayailing to save her father; he
was TOO clearly guilty, but death released
him from paving the penalty Of his crimes;
and save for her seif-constituted guardian, |
Connie was alone i'll the world. At first the
lawyer did not know what TO do with her, but
she adapted herself to his life, and fitted with
his ways wonderfully. There was plenty of
room in those rambling chambers, aud she
soon had two little closets fitted up for her |
sslf, where she couple retire TO if she seemed at
ali i'll the way. AS the weeks and months
passed he became distinctly conscious OF one
tking-he could never lose her again. She bad
grown into his heart and into his life, filling
the place once occupied by her mother, and
this second love that had sprung up in him
was perhaps more intense than the first. One
day he did not go out in the morning accord
ing to his usual custom, and Connie started
u-n1, sha aNtAral tho iitipr r,,,, o,I r,,,rl |
him there.
She blushed 10 a deep crimson and seemed
uneasy, aud MI. Oldcastle construed the Cir !
.cumstances favorably, and resolved to hesitate
no longer. 'Come here, Constance" he said,
gently drawing her to the high couch, 81 have |
something OF great Importance to say to you
Listen, my dear one, l love you. Iwant you to
be my wifen'
''Oh, no, no-that can never be- she cried,
springing away from him with such an express
sion of utter dislnay that ne grew sick and
chill. sob, please, Mr.. Oldcastle, don't say
that!''
81 must say it, for it is true. I love you,"
he replied, with some return of his logged
manner; whether you care for me or not is
another question. Am l 30 very hateful that
you cannot even come near me?"
ut is not that" she walled, kneeling beside
you dearly, dearly, but not that way-I never
thought Of il, never dreamed Of it"
''Is i: too late to think Of it now, then?"
Eyes, too late. oh, please do not say any
more"
"You love some one else. As your guardian, !
I have at least the right to ask that. Tell me
the truth. Constance, I will know it." be
added, hercely-js.lousy, anger and disap-
pointment all surging like ire through his
veins, but she only sobbed silently, uttering no |
word, and glancing II him with pleading, tear |
full eyes.
'Tmight have known what the expect from
. woman's gratitude" he muttcred, ~hercely,
SIiGA ploflap-1iJa A. r,rb$s,.t nrln 49, r. l
deceived me. She. at least, has not deluded
me with false promises and false hopes. but
she is not honest and straight How could |
she be with such q father and motherf"
At that moment the sitting-room door opened
suddenly, and Edward Little swung into the
room. Seeing Connie sobbing on the carpet, |
he was at her side in q moment.
"My darling, what is the matter?" he said,
taking both her hands, 'are you illY
Ralph Oldcastle reeled back a step as if
cried; 'this Is too mrch.t Edward Little.
stand back; and 7Constance&Wilton, look up
and answer me-"
'Tn nswer for her. sir" the young fellow
said firmly, drawing the trembling girl closer
to him. ~ love her, and she returns my affsc- |
ton and has promised to be my wife, that's |
all. I'm sorry, sir, that we did not ask your
consent, but it came on us both before We
knew"
sYou have spoken to me of gratitude, Ed
ward Little; it pleased you on various occa-
sions to remark that ! had been a friend to
you. Did yoI mean to prove your gratitude
by stealing the affections of my ward, and be-
traying the confidence l Ieposed in yon-but
l expected nothing, and am not disappointed. !
You may go. l have nothing further to say!'
"But 1 have, sir! have betrayed no trust,
been guilty of no fault Day after day, week
aftor week, month after month, yon have left
save me. l loved her-under the circum |
stances no one could help dong so-and was