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

was rather long. Mr.. Fletcher told Dexter
that he was not SO ignorant of his aoipgs as he
supposed, and that he had for some tlms
doubted whether he ought to let such o scape-
grace be his heir.
Il was once harsh to my son." said the Old
man, sand Host him I determined to make
every allowance for you. don't ask you if
you deservs ii, but I should like 10 know what
your plaus are. Do you intend to marry?
This sIiden question took Dexter of his
guard. Making up his mind on the spur Of
the moment. he answered:
"Yrs, sir" .
"Whom?"
"Well, it isn't quito settled yet between US.
l have not declared myself yet; but, if I obtain
your consent, | will do 80 at the earliest oppor-
%tunity."
"Who is she"
"She is the governess at the Kesterto,s,"
replied his nephew boldly. "You've never
seen her, l suppose, but she is = very charm
ing ss s,1i fortune nrs.,
II believe not."'
"Then you can't marry unless with my
money"
Dexter rather uneasily answered.: sra4
.No, sir" So 4taAr
Very well, !" sail his uncle. 81 have no OBJ
j"ction to your making u love-ma'ch. I tell
you what will do. II would be unsatisfac-
to marry her, a pAuper. If you win her con-
sent Will give mine. and make her helress OF
half of whatI have. You vii, then be on equal
terms, rs man and wife should be-"
ID Xter was growing more aud more uncom-
Portable. This was far from the safe of things
he WISHED for.
''You are very thoughtful, UNCLE" he mur-
INJURED ssirF eF -sr 'Tft
81 shenld like to see this young laay," con,
tinued Mr.. Fletcher. 81 presume that by birth
apd education she is fitted to be, your wife?
You ave made Inquiries. 1 rp~resume?"
We'll, uncle, l Thought that. would be rather
wanting IN deiicacy. She is evidently a Indy. ("
"Iour sentiments do You honor, Fred Ut
was quito right of you not to make impertin
cnt inquiries, especially considering her posi-
ten"
Dexter felt he had done it now. 1t was i'm
possible for him 10 confess that he knew Amv's
identity. After a little further ion
tlcv started for the terrace, where Matilda
WAS shortly to meet them.
Meanwhile, tile Young doctor has been
s%ncndins an unhappy hour. Ts VAS sure that
ncxter would take the opportunity Of telling
his uncle his in'e' ton to marry Amy; the
probability was grestiy in favor of the old
mau's approval of his neullew's suit rather
than of his-Mai,land's. Ono thing he was
s%ure'of, thai he must keep silen, till Dexter
had either won or lost, and flat, if he won, he
must keep silent forever. His only hope was
that Amy loved him. Yet why should she?
He had always been careful to treat her as a
young sister; and if, occasionally, he had been
conscious OF saying something which was not
JuaV' iuVC W ~ bIotu"is " o utNet
given. him rrason for believing that she had
ever contemplated tho possibility of a closer
relationship between them than had always
existed. Yet if he lost her, and to such a
h~ear,less scoundrel! MOI! he would never let
her marry that other. Yet what could he do
If she accepted him re- tI. .t
HIS mind was still full of the matter whom
he found himself on the terrace near the usual
seat OF the. invalid. Mr.. Fletcher and his
nephew were already there. and close by them
stood ANY. She had evidently only that mo-
ment arrived. Dexter rose, and, with consid-
cradle eagerness, offered her his seat and began
to. Introduce her to his uncle.
"There is no necessity" interrupted Mr..
Fletcher, "this young lady and I have mot be-
fore"
Dexter looked surprised and annoyed. He
had made good use of his time during the
morning, which he had spent in tho company
Of Amy. doing all he could TO compress a court.
ship into a couple Of hours. He had told her
he waited to introduce her to his uncle, but
had not mentioned his name, aud Any never
imagined. that the uncle was thesame old gen.
made. Haa
AT this moment Maitland came M. He took
off his hatto Amy, and remained standing near.
For come time The conversation was to the
last degree commonplace; not one of tho men
seemed inc!in~d to BIO tho first to broach the
subject that each WAS thinking OF. At last Mr..
Fletcher, after a painful cough, sal
My dear, l want to speak to You seriously
for a minnie OF two You will excuse an old
man, who has not many months to live, il he
says things a little blnntly. Try and suppose
that he is afraid lie has not time to do otner-
WISE" ~ " as .n" H
Amy looked surprised, but said nothing.
"My nephew continued Mr.. Fletcher, 'thas
told mo that he wishes you to be his wife. He
has not, | believe, confessed as much to you,
knowing that the possibility of his marrying
depends on me. have told him that, if he
gains your consent, he will not marry a penni-
| 1eaa GIRL fnr I shall piva p,,, TIM ,,n,o ~, r
shall give him. So you see. you may rely IN
tircly on your feelings IN giving your answer:
it will not be q case OF marrying for money,
but only for love. What do you say?"
Amy said nothing. She turned her eyes on
Maitland, WHO persistantly kept his averted.
This is too sudden, uncle" pleaded Dexter.
"Perhaps it is assented the old man. Il
do not ask for a decisive answer now. Plead
your own cause, my lad, during the next week,
and then Amy shall give her reply"
Amy turned her head. SO +
There is no necessity to wait for . week."
she said; my mind is quite made up. l can
my dear girl" persisted Mr.. Fletcher;
"do not make up your mind go swiftly. No
doubt my blunt way of putting the matter
has panied you. l can see you are agilated.
Lot me plead for nv nephew. His love for
you 10 disinterested he knows you but as q
occupying q position unworthy of her.
He knows nothing Of you whatever beyond
that; judge then whether you are treating him
quite fairly in refusing to listen to him. 1t is
are capable Of displaying such disintprested
earnestness and devotion in seeking for a wife.
He tells mo he is even ignorant Of the name of
your parents. Does not that show he values
you for yourselfE'
De xter had tried once or twice to interrupt
his uncle, but in vain. However, he now man.
aged to interpose with:
Really, uncle, you appear to imagine
that" s e7 e{ rIs =
Rnt he was interrupted in his tnrn by Amy.
'Did Mr.. Dexter tell you he did not know
who my father was?" she asked. EH57
Yes" replied MIR. Fletcher, sand I APP
plauded the del,cacy of feeling he showed"
81 must tell you. then, that he did ask me.
and seemed very surprised to hear his name.
Tnore seems to be some mystery about il, for
its mention seems to have sufficed to turn Mr..
Dexter from a casual acquaintance into an ar
dent Rdmirer."
Dexter stood abashed; he did not attempt to
defend himself. s Eff
$50, SIR said his uncle severely, 'it seems
that you do know who this young lady is. 1
had my suspicious, aud that is whyI have said
what l have, thinking l should catch you in
your own trap"
Il thought you would BIO pleased IL I mar
ricd her." pleaded Dexter. et
'Dou'taay another word. cir. Leave us now;
como to my rooms this evening; l shall have
something to say to you then"
Dexter walked sway as carelessly as he could.
2"Come a little Closer to me, nv dear child, y
said MI: Fletcher in = tender tone, as soon as
his nephew WAS out OF. sight, II have some
news for you. You must think me a very
strange old man-so 1 am, perhaps. You
think I have been very rude and unkind, but it
wac for your sake. No. one is near us now;
put your arms around my neck and kiss me
aud cali me grandpapa."
Amy looked q, him in astonishment for a
moment aud then glanced at Maitland. His
look reassured her; she flung her arms around
the old mans neck and kissed him.
H"Grandpapaw she exclaimed, SIS 1t true?"
ttYes NV darling All IL T had only known