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

H - ~ Inv - ihSA NS1t
In the drawing room at Heathcot, in
the gray September twilight, Mary Mer-
edith and Felix Traftord sat engaged in
earnest conversation.
II really can not see any cause for
your despair, dear Felix. Have l not
told you how dearly [ love you? No
power on earth shall ever force me 20
break MY plighted troth to you. Have
you no confidence ia me?"
Attendance Mary; l know.you will
be true to me-"
Then what is your fear?"
Everything. Youare young and beau
tiful, the rich Mr.. Meredi his only child,
while l am a poor clerk in the houae of
The Meredith Brothers, with nothing
but an unsullied re equation, some brains
and a good right hand to help me
through the world"
so much the better, then, that 1 am
the daughter of the rich Mr.. Meredith.
Dear Felix, papa esteems you, and has
implicit confidence in your honor. He
invites you here, and allows our ac-
luaintance. Why do you annoy your
self about imaginary troubles?"
Your father trusts me and l must be
true to him, you and myself. 1 will go to
him and frankly confess our attachment.
| should feel miserable otherwise"
go now; he is in his study"
Felix cought the girl in his arms and
kissed her rosy lips.
Your confidence inspires me with
hope," he said, and went away on his
mission. Tapping at Mr.. Meredith's
study door, and receiving permission to
enter, Felix approached the old gedtle-
man. who gave him his hand, saying:
Why, boy, you are an unexpected
visitor. No bad news, / hope?"
No, sir; but / want to ask of you a
gift so precious that l have very little
hope of obtaining it,"
well, well, name it. 1 am always
glad to favor you If | can" !
Felix was greatly agitated, but sum-
moned up all the courage and said:
Mr.. Meredith, l love your daughter.
l do not, however, ask you to give her
to me now. Only let me hope that
whenl prove to YOU
- VIZ lthIlSd puCh III Ills CHIT
amazed. 1t had never occurred to him
that this young clerk would dare to lift
his eyes to his daughter.
You are an unprateful, t~reacherous
scouudrelI' he cried. "Out of compass
sion for your friendlessness l admitted
you to my house and my daughters
society, and you, william hat YOU are
have taken the opportunity to steal into
aud win her inexperienced heart. Be-
gone, sir, and never let me see your
face again!'
Listen to me one moment, Mr.. Mere
dith."
"Not one second!" cried the old man,
as he violently brought down his
clenched fist upon the table. "Leave
the house instantly or the servants shall
thrust you OUT And as if to pat his
threat into execution he fiercely rang
the bell. ..
AS Felix staggered along the passage,
his heart SO oppressed with contending
emotions that he was scarcely conscious
Of ANYTHING, he met Mary, who, alarmed
at the violent ringing OF the bell, was
rushing to her fathers study. Felix
wildly threw his arms about her, kiss
ing her again and again. Then he tore
himself away and rushed from the
house.
Mary never knew what occurred at
that terrible interview. Mr.. Meredith
was deaf to all her entreaties and her
lover had disappeared. The poor girl
was stricken with brain fever, and for
weeks her life hung in the balance.
Repentance came to the unhappy father,
for although sought for far and near Fee
lix could not be found. Atlength youth
and a good constitution brought back
health to the heart-broken girl. But
alas! the blooming young Hebe Of seven
teen summers was no more. In her
place q tall, pale girl appeared, but with
y beauty that even the most fastidious
admired. The golden brown curls that
clustered around her temples lay in rip
pling waves upon a brow Is pure as
snow, and the soft, lustrons
hazel eyes wore an expression of sad
ness that told Of the heart grief that
would be hers forever.
Mr.. Meredith travelled with his
daughter through all the most attrac-
at her request, he took her home. Mary
had become a woman, a bright, %intelli-
gent, glorious woman, and crowds of
admirers worshipped at her feet; but
the image Of Felix was still as fresh as
ever IA her heart, and the vows she had
exchanged with him we're never for a
moment forgotten. Therefore, ell offers
OF marriage were at once declined.
Time rolled on. Mary had nov
reached her twenty-eighth year, and still
remained a maiden beneath the pater-
nal roof.
Ore cold winter evening Mary sat by
the glowing fire i'll her fathers drawing
room. Her small white hands We're
clasped upon her bosom, and her eyes
were cast downward until the long
lashes lay like golden pencilings upon
her cheek, Near her, in
bis great arm-chair, sat Mr.. Meredith,
with the SHOWS of many winters on his
head and his face deeply furrowed by
the hand of time. There was an ex-
He looked troubled and unhappy.
Mary" said he continuing q conver-
sation that had been going on between
them, "ail my life have made your
happiness my constant study and have
gwen you a luxurious home. Now you
ure advancing in years, and | shall ere
long be separated from you by death.
Low can / leave you alone IN this cold
world? A itome is now open to you,and
You must ACCEPT it. 1t is not because !
owe this man 4 very large sum that |
insist upon this marriage, although il
you refuse him we will be sunk into the
most abject poverty, tor I would rather
endure all the misery of the situation
than risk your well-beipg; but l know
you will be happy with Mr. Ambrose for
a husband. He is good and kind, as
well as very rich"
rich in what, father??"
The old man started at these words,
but at length answered:
"In honor and manhood Mary said
no more. "The crisis is now upon me-