The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-08-01
THE WIDOWS MYSTERY.

Mrs. Nelly Archer was one of the
prettiest little widows that ever looked
fascinating in the lutter of black rib
bons and transparent Grape; yet, some-
how, no one was ever jealous of the
affectionate, warm-hearted, beautiful
young widow. For was she not always
ready to help the helpless, care for the
careless and think for the thoughtless?
You couldn't help wondering what peo-
pie did in the benighted times before
Mrs. Archer came on the stage of life,
SO indispensable did she seem to human
comfort.
So, of course, the very evening of the
day that Mildred Wilton became en-
gagged to Henry Forest she came up
through the evening twilight, with in
cense of flowers scattered on her path
and tiny FREELY lamps hungi in the bush
es to illuminate her way, to tell Nelly
about it. 1t was just as natural as
thinking aloud.
"In love, you dear, foolish thingl"
said Mrs. Archer, laughingly, impris-
oning Mildred's iuttering hands, and
looking archly under the down.sweep-
ing fringes of her timid eyes. "Well,
every woman must come, sooner or lat
er, to the time when some great six
footer becomes gloritied in her sight,
and whose words are like the law md
the prophets. May you never awake
from the blissful dream, Lowell"
"He is SO changed, somehow" said
Mildred.
The moon, which had been a narrow
slit of pearl when Henry Forrest first
whispered his love into Mildred's willing
ear, was now on the wane, and Door
Mildred vas crying on Mrs. Arcller's
shoulder.
GLOW, dearest?" said Nelly, ~stroEing
the dark, disheveled locks, while she
pressed her cool cheek against Mildred's
burning forehead.
"He is so grave and self-absorbed,"
replied Mildred; land when he looks
OF me it is with q pitving glance, and
two or three times some unbroken
sentence has quivered on his lips
Nelly, do yon suppose-can it be pos
sible that he has ceased to love me and
wishes to be released from our engage
ment?'
Not a bit of il, love-" said Nelly:
"don't distress your dear little head; it
will all come right. I am sure. You
know that financial affairs are in a very
cSitical state just now, and all business
men are necessarily anxious?"
do you think that is all 2" murmured
Mildred gradually hushing her sobs,
and drawing closer to her comforter, as
a child distressed by sorrowful dreams
clings to its soothing nurse.
"Of course it is" said Nellie. "And
now. love, it is growing late, and Unjust
send you home. Go by the upper path
Mildred; it is less damp than the road
along the river side"
What possessed her to set out by the
river side, in spite of Mrs. Archer's
warning? Perhaps because that way
was nearest-because the finger of Fate
was in the thing; for as she approached
q dense mass of silver birch woods that
skirted the road the sound of low voices
made her start behind the trees with an
uneasy consciousness that she was not
alone. The tones came nearer, and as
Al ..~1xa,, oxoar~ol ;,@o 4la,a,-
tain moonlight from the Swallowed place
where the road wound through a deep
glen, her heart stood still with horror.
She knew the ~promenaders well. Was
this the reason that Nelly had desired
her to 60 the willow path? Oh, false
friend and r%ecreant lover! No need to
ask why Harry was changed.
nelly, you are an ANGEL What
should 1 do without your" she heard
him say, as they paused at the path
that led to Mrs. Archer's home. Nelly
shook her head, la%ughingly.
Mind" she said, mot a word Of this
to Mildred-poor Mildred!n
There are times when q minute seems
to compre IS into its seconds all the bit
terness of years-and our readers may
judge, if they can, how long this night
was to Mildred Wilton's breaking
heart.
BY mornings faint dawn, however,
Mildred's resolves were all taken.
She would release Henry Forrest
from his tcoth, though her own heart
strings parted, but she would never
see Mrs. Archer more. All! why had
she not suspected this double-dealing
before?
"Why, Mildred, dear, you don't seem
to be a bit glad to see m this morning!n
said Henry Forrest, playfully pulling
away the hand that shaded MiIdred's
tear.stained eyes, and looked lovingly
into her face. "Why, what's
the matter? Well, I suppose
I mustn't ask any questions.
I came, little one, to ask you if you
would allow me to fix Thursday week
for our wedding day"
"My wedding day will come,
Henry Forrest, Returned Mildred, con-
trolling her agitation by a strong effort.
II release you from your engagement
this moment"
"What do you mean?" exclaimed
Henry. Release me! but / won't be
released"
"Do MOI let US prolong this inter
view," said Mildred, TREMENDOUSLY; az
was accidentally at the river side last
night, and witnessed the parting be-
tween you and Mrs. Archer.
well, what of it?" said Henry, still
in a state of bewilderment.
Nothing" faultered Mildred, almost
inaudibly; "only if I had known earlier
that your affections were transferred