The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-02-08

short days I shall be overwhelmed with
misery ifyou do not rescue me. Mr..
Ambrose has asked me for your hand,
lie has seen you many times and loves
you"
And Mr.. Ambrose makes nv hand
the price of your safety?n
no, he has not said so; but he is
aware OF my situation, and knowing
1t, asks the hand of nv child. It
seems 10 me as if God had kept you
Tres to save your old father from ruin.
( what answer am l to return to Mr.. Am
brose?"
my heart was broken long ago."
Mary answered, looking into her faith
efs lace. II will.marry this man for
lection, for l have none to give. Tell
him this that he may not be deceiyed.n
- VIII bring him here tomorrow eve
ning he is anxious thai the interview
shall be over"
MI. Meredith was relieved, the fear of
dlserace was removed from him, and he
reJoiced in the prospect of q
marriage for his daughter.
On the following evening Mary again
sat by the drawing room fire. She was
alone now and calm, and her face was as
pale as Partisan marble. The outer door
opened and she heard the sound Of
heavy footsteps in the hall. Once more
the image of Felix arose before her; a
cold shlvsr passed owe her and unbid-
den tears trembled in her eyes, but by
a great effort she subdued her agitation
before her father and the man about to
BUY her with his gold entered the draw
ing-room. Mary arose and extended
her hand; 1t Was as as cold as ice, but it
dld not tremble. She Glanced at Mr..
Ambrose and saw a man OF medium
height with brilliant dart. eyes; the
neatly trimmed beard concealed the
lower part of his visage. He greeted
her politely and then took a seat. A
snort time was spent in conversation,
put gradually q silence fell upon them,
which was becoming oppressive when
tho visitor broke she spell.
Miss Meredith" he said in a soft,
the object of my visit here? Pardon me
if | speak plainly"
Mary looked up, but made no reply,
Mr.. Ambrose's voice was so kind and
gentle that she thought he deserved a
wife who could love him.
Your father has told INC you have
no love to give me, but that you will
marry me. /. too, once thought should
never love again, but the sight of you
has dispel.ed the illusion. Let me tell
you nay story. Long years ago I loved
a beautiful young girl, and she returned
my affection. l was young then, and
did not dream that Fate could crush out
my souls dearest hope. That fair girl
WAS my all, my very life, and I had not
y thought of the future separated fro n
her. Her father was a wealthy mer-
chant and l his poor clerk. When I
told him loved his daughter he spurned
me from his door and ordered me never
to enter it again. Oh, who re-
side myself can ever know the utter
midnight of my blasted hopes! Crushed
and broken l fled in my despair. In
the .whirl and excitement of business
strove to forget my SORROWS. Fortune
singled me out as her especial favorite.
My, widest speculations were successful
and money accumulated as if by mage.
Thus eleven years passed. ! returned
to the scene of my u%nhappiness and
saw you. Need say that all the old
9 surged up in my heart again?
Once more L asked the old merchant
for his daughter" the speakers lips
trembled; ne extended his arms as he
continued-"and he consents at last.
Oh, Mary! will you now be mine?"
Mary cast herself into her suitor's
outstretched arms. After all these wears
of misery Felix was restored to her!
"Felix Trafford!' gasped the old
man as he started to his feet. t'Felix
Tratford, my old clerk!'
Eyes, sir; the same. Do you 1etract
| your promise??"
NO Felix. no. Take my Mary and
forgive her father"
The happy sutton led Mary away to a
seat and sat beside her, as if he feared
he might lose her again.
|. LET u.s." he said, forget all the past
but its joys and look to the future for
what true love can give us. lam now
content, and you my Mary, are you nap
Ply in the restoration of your lover?'
"Al!" she replied in a voice full of
deep emotion, ''happiness is too poor a
word to express my great ~joy!"-Phila-
| delphia Call.