The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-03-07
JOSEPnA.

Hu 'etter from my epneW s
Iravers, containing sad news. My dear
old friend Oswald Hamilton was dead:
his affairs left in a bad way. The ar-
rangement of his papers, Strengthening
accounts and settling up of the estate
were left in my hands. A second was
to the effect that Josepha Che only and
motherless daughter of my old
friend. about "a years of age) had fin
ally refused him. That he had secured
a change into the Tenth, which was soon
to be ordered away to fight Zulus, and
closed by saying that the best thing I
could wish him was a bullet through the
head in the first enlargement. +.
My poor Reg! 1t was his first taste of
life's bitter, and it was going down hard.
Ilongedt to grasp his hand in sympathy
cursed the stupidity ofmail carriers and
stormed at the hundred and one annoy
ing delays that kept me so long on my
homeward way. However, in two days
l was well on my Journey.
Soldiers are rough of speech. Ibe-
gan to fashion some soft phrases of
sympathy for my old friends daughter,
but gave up in despair, trusting that,
as in battle, when the opportunity comes,
| should be ready to equal it. And,
after all, to such self-reliant natures rs
Josepha's sympathy held a tone of pity
which gave it a distasteful flavor.
A word Of myself here. An old sol
der, nearing so. but hale and hearty. I
inherited at my brothers death the pile
of stone he called home, and his large
business interests. A misanthrope, he
had shown little taste for the society Of
his kind. My visits to him We're few
and brief. / had taken little notice Of
Josepha until / came to Deerwood as it's
master. Her name describes her. Divine
ly tall, she had none Of the awkwardness
peculiar in women of her stature. but
her motion was at oil times free, sug-
costing the flight of a seabird. Better
than beauty, her face expressed dignity
and character. Her mouth was shapely
and red, although asquare jaw andlong
chin proved somewhat detractive to it.
But her eyes-glorious. Clearest
gray with pupils of velvet, set under a
mans forehead, She had a frank, bon
comarade way which played sad havoc
with mems hearts, whatever their armor.
Many of the wisest and wariest knelt at
her shrine, but each and all vainly.
Between her and my dear lad there had
been an understanding based on a child
ish attachment. Merely a silken link.
I cared little for society Though, thank
God! never unfriendly or cold to my
kind, like my brother). The surround
ing country families who would have
lionized me on account of a few sears
and decorations met with small en-
encouragement, and but for the flying
visits of my young lieutenant and an
evening cigar on one of the wide YER
andas of Hamilton place, my time was
passed in riding and walking and shoot
ing.
Now I will let YOU into the secret.
I was surprised when found it Out my
self. / had fallen in love with Josepha.
Preposterous! So l said. At any rate,
give me some credit. 7 never dreamed
Of telling her, and I went away I'M
Notwithstanding with a party of
friends.
My old friend 1 mourned sincerely.
Though ten years my senior, we had
been friends years and years. He knew
l stood ready to lend a helping hand
whenever it needed; but he was proud
to a fault, and though had begged him
to allow my assistance (for 1 knew he
was in sad straits he would never take
a penny.
His reverses were quick and sudden.
His indomitable will upheld him in his
struggle for q time, when that broke
beneath the burden of troubles, which
grew heavier day by day.
Dear old friend! Here lies a man
whom pride brought low" Imurmured,
as I stood over his grave.
l had arrived ut Deerwood late in the
afternoon, and had stopped in the
~ehurchyard on my way to Josepha.
The grass waved to and fro. I fan
cied the n below stirred uneasily.
"Peace,"I whispered. Your name
shall be cleared; your daughter guard
ed we'll"
Josepha, let me in. She stayed to
fasten the door, and as she came up
with me in the corridor she slipped her
cold hand into mine and I held it
strongly. My eyes fell on Oswald's
picture as we entered the drawing
room. Together we stood looking at it.
Then I looked at Joseha in her long
black gown, ner neck rising like a lily
stem from its sombreness, as l stood by
her side. Bereavement and harassi ng
cares had set their mark on brow and
lips though she still held her head
proudly, and her eyes looked into mine
unmisted.
If l had loved her in the midst of her
happiness and lightheartedness, how
much more l loved her now, penniless,
with a faint shadow Of dishonor on her
name. forsaken by the crowd of sum
mer-day friends.
She looks into my face, for mytongue
was tied, and then bent her head and
kissed my hand.
my dear" I said, smy dear"
The only safe thing for me to do was
to go to the window, and L went.
Presently she followed me, and, having
myself as thoroughly in hand as an old
fighter should by this time, I sat down
beside her and we had a long, serious
talk.
The long rays of sunlight paled from
orange to amber and gradually faded in
to the gray of dusk, and as yet we had
not spoken Of the future. Josepha had
her fathers own pride and strength of
will, and my heart failed me as 1 men
tally m~arshalled my forces and prepared
to advance. First, I meant that she
should come home with me.
kI.ua.I.. . L l--..~- lILl.- -