The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-10-10

" "CVhs
"But that is too much" whined Mrs.
Lonsdale.
"How much did you expect to pay?"
asked Mrs. Dirk, with a curious sparkle
in her eyes.
"In this wilderness here said Mrs.
Lonsdale, "twelve shillings would
be-
eff those are your ideas we never
shall come to terms" said Mrs. Dirk.
But if you are really cramped for mon
my dear Mrs. Dirk" said the rich
mans wife, "you have no idea of the
perpetual demands on us for money"
II will take you for twenty-five shil-
llngs." Mrs. Dirk completed her SEN
tence as if the other had not spoken.
And the bargain was completed.
Mrs. Lonsdale had not been in the
house a week before she took her hus-
bands cousin severity to task.
That horrid old man in the faded
ollve-green suit has the best room
in the house," said she. "Tle very
best"
"Ies," said Mrs. Dirk, 'shei is NY moth
er's uncle. He was always very good to
my poor husband"
But I'm told he only pays half
price,"
That is my affair" said Mrs. Dirk.
But is it true?" insisted Mrs, Ions
dale.
yes, it is true, confessed the widow.
He is very old, and can't go up and
down stairs, SO of course he must have
the frst-foor room?"
But he hasn't any property"
He owns Carragee Farm, across
the mountains" said Mrs. Dirk, "but
nobody will rent it Of him, because the
land is SO rocky, and the farmhouse
was burned down last fall. when there
We're so many fires in the woods. Beyond
that he has nothing"
Mrs. Lonsdale curled her lip.
Such impudence," said she. enc
body has any right to live to be seventy
years of age without having laid up
some little provision for the future"
81 was thinking" said Mrs. Dirk,
that perhaps Cousin Mortimer Ions
dale would contribute a little something
to his support, as we are equally re-
lated"
You may be sur that he will not"
said Mrs. Lonsdale, with emphasis.
Very well" said Mrs. Dirk calmly,
He shall never want while I can help
him."
The very next week, however, old Mr..
Darrow was found dead in his arm chair.
And by will he had left everything he
possessed to his gr%aud-niece, Mary
Dirk!
II wish you Joy of Garage FARM"
chuckled Mrs. Lonsdale. "Of course
you'll have to pay taxes on it, so it will
absolutely be money out of pocket
ut was all he had to give" said Mrs.
Dirk.
Meanwhile the family was prospecting.
Sarah was engaged to marry q thrifty
young farmer of the neighborhood.
Helen was earning q good living.
Llzzy was contemplating the setting
up of a small milliner's shop on her
W account-and Rosie was in high
favor at Millingham place.
Even Mrs. Lonsdale admitted that
her grave French cook could not excel
the syllabus, creams, delicate cakes and
delicious buildings which these young
damsels compounded. with the help Of
new laid eggs and country cream.
I'm almost sorry rooms are en-
gagged at Saratoga" said the city lady.
u am getting rather to like Moon
Mountain. And your table is decidedly
good Mary"
But just as she was packing her big
trunks for the removal to the Mecca of
modern fashions, Mr.. Lonsdale him
self came down.
"Well% said the lady airily, "what
is the news Mortimerg"
bad news" said Mortimer, in q
hoarse accent. ave are ruined! The
business has gone to wreck-the cash
Ter has fed to Belgiurn-and we haven't
a cent to call our own"
"Whereupon, naturally enough, Mrs.
Londale went into Mysteries.
When Mrs. Dirk came in, Naomi was
wildly loading her husband with re-
proaches. Mortimer Lonsdale stood
leaning against the mantel, with some
thing glittering in his hand. Mrs. Dirk
went up to him and took it away with
gentle authority.
Give me that pistol. Mortimer"
said she. Get up Naomi, and leave off
crying and sobbing. If ever you need
ed to be q woman, you need it now!"
I'VE are ruined!-we are rulned!"
shrieked Naomi, tearing her hair.
Il never can redeem myself" said
Mortimer, huskily. "You had better
have let me shoot myself, Mary"
"Pshaw!" said Mrs. Dirk, CURLY.
Suicide is the last resort of a coward.
Don't you know, Mortimer, that it is
always darkest just before daylight"
II don't know what you mean" said
he.
"Then listen to me. The old lawyer
has just come over from the Carragee
Farm. He says that they have struck
q rich vein Of iron on the rocky hills
there. A stock company want to buy
it of me for E5, 900, and I've agreed to
sell it. Uncle Darrow was as much
your granduncle as he was mine. Well
divide the money, Mortimer, you and l."
But I've no right to it, Mary" fall
tered he.
"Not by law, perhaps" said the wild
ow, ''hut you have by equity-at all
events, half of it shall be yours. What
do l want of $4,000? Half will be
great riches for me. The girls are do
ing well, and I like TO lead a busy life.
Nay, Mortimer, you must take i'll"
He turned away his face.
MARY" said he, you have heaped
Goals of fire on our heads!" .
So Mr. and Mrs. Lonsdale settled on
a pretty farm on Moon Mountain, and,
strange to relate, their only son, Geof-
frey, eventually married pretty Essie
Dirk.
$50 that you have to adopt one of
Elar1y Drix's girls. after ALL" loosely
said her husband.
shes a perfect little daeling!" said
Mrs ,opclo1o ,vL~ HI o.cla.~J