The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-09-26
THlLlA's LOVER.

are 1halla! L, for one, fear that if
mamma relied for her three quarts of
berries upon ME she would have TO do
without"
80 saying handsome Ida Minturn
leans her head upon her white hand
while she watches languidly her cousins
busy movements.
1t is a sweet srch face that Tbalia
lifts to her as she smilingly
Tired already? Ida, I do believe you
were born to be drone inthe hive. Ev-
cry thing seems to. weary you except to
going parties andp- ssf
Flirting, 1 suppose you would finish
with. Well, you are not far wrong;
and, by andsbye, Thalia, I had q new
and delightful subject upon which to
try mypowers of fascination. PA should
have 'thoughttwice before he engaged
such a handsome overseer. To be sure,
he is rather cold and distant; but you'll
see yet how expressive I can make his
drak eyes look.'n 4 mMs
w A delicate pink rushes to the young
er girls fair face as she springs to her
feet, almost dropping her basket of ber-
ries.
Ida Minturn, / nm ashamed of YOU!
Indeed, l was going to finish my SEN
tence In no such way. l detest the very
word of Irritation, and l do not belieye
Mr.. Holmes would stoop to such ia
thing"
"Thalia, how seriously you do take
things! If you could see how dramatic
you look--gory, outstretched hand and
all! But here comes Mr.. Holmes him-
self. I believe I will tell him OF your
enthusiastic defense. I doubt not but
it would amuse him"
S"Oh. Ida, please don'tp s
And Thalia's cheeks grow TO the deep
est rose as she pleads.
But there is no need for fear, as. with
merely a grave, courteous lift of his
straw hat, Mr.. Holmes passes on to
where, in q distant part of the field,
some ten men are engaged at their
work.
The golden summer months fit gen
tly by and it is not long before it is
plainly evident to all eyes but Mrs.
Minturn's how affairs are tending be-
tween the handsome young overseer Of
the farm and the gentle young girl who
for the past three years has made her
home with her aunt.
81 think he's perfectly splendidw Ida
says candidly as with many bushes
Thalia confesses the fact of her engage
ment. "But will never con-
sent, and I myself think you're very
foolish, Thalia. Love is all well
enough, but I for one have too much
ambition to throw myself away on a
poor young man. I look for a coronet
at the very least, and you with your
pretty face, might certainly do better"
"Better! All, no! And Thalia's face
is more than pretty-beautiful-as she
speaks. "M.y Harry is noble and good.
What could be better than that? And
if he is poor, | am too, but l count N.Y.
self rich in his love"
Ida is right in prognosticating her
mothers disapproval.
Engaged! And to a man not worth
a penny, and of whose family n
knows nothing about! Thalia, / am
s shocked. Ihaye seen that you were
very friendly, but I had no idea of this,
for we have all treaetd Mr.. Holmes
with more consideration than his posi-
tion calls for. And what will your I'M
Gle say? just what l do-thnt the af-
fair must be stopped at once. l am
your guardian, Thalia, and until you are
of age you can contract no marriage
without my consent. You know that,
and 1 nowsisay that this engagement
must be broken"
And all Thalia's tears and pleadings
are of no avail. Mrs. Minturn is firm.
In two weeks time they will go to Lon
don, and she decides in her own mind
that she shall then see that her niece is
,plungedFinto the vortex of that fashion,
able life from which as yet her tender
yearshave kept her.
It is q cruel blow to Harry Holmes,
for, relying upon his employers evident
friendliness, lie has suffered himself to
build high hopes.
'fThree years! Oh, Thalia, your love
will never survive such a test!"
Have no fear, Harry" Thalia an,
swers, r~esolutely, ''for neither time,
place, nor surroundings can alter my
heart, and when our time of probation
is over, and I m my own mistress.
you have only to come and demand
your own-for I shall be yours then as
now"
In tho belt That clasps her slight
waist nestles a cluster of daises. Stoop-
ing, Harry %distangles them from their
fastening.
II will keep them Thalia, as q re-
membrance of your words. And now I
have something 10 tell you. Since
your uncle told me the other day, that,
after this week, my services would be
no longer needed, I have received a
communication from Ireland, which
has decided me to 60 there at once. It
is letter from an uncle Of whose exis-
tence until now [ lave been ignorant.
But read it for yourself"
This iswhat ITALIA reads:-
ssMY DEAR NEPHEW: I have only
just learned, after long inquiry, that
my sister left a onand that he and you
are n and the same. This letter will
undoubtedly proyea surprise to you, as,
from my sisters solemn VOW to me as she
left home, 1 know that you can never
have heard my name. Let me explain:
At an early age your mother and my
self were left orphans. Time went by
and your mother became attached to
one whom beyond all others, I disliked,
and for just cause.
'They were engaged and married, in
spite Of my vehement protestations. I
refused to sanction the marriage OF be
present at the ceremony. Margaret had
to the full the i%lnpetuous character Of
our family. On the eve of her depart
ure for her future home she came to me
and said: stephen, henceforth do
not ever expect to hear aught of
me or mine. You have chosen
70 un11nd eef1a il the tenderest