The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-03-28

~ ~ ~
ieNanches ct the1clouds torn BY the
sbli1ding flashes Of lightning. There
49, : loud crash, moment Of confusion
and horror, and Lillian lay in Edgaris
arms, her head pillowed his breast.
The tree had been struck by the electric
fluid and dashed TO the ground,
but from Some miraculous cause
they both escaped unnurt.
Lillian, almost insensible, was yet con-
sciols of whose arms were about her,
Of whose passionate kisses were on her
hips. Her heart throbbed wildly. She
felt no terror of the danger, no graft
tnde for her escape; she only knew
that Edgar sheltered her, and that he
loved her, and that If she could only
have died then before another claimed
her, she would have been content.
Many eyes were enlightened on that
eyentful day. ALI day the ladies looked
obviously at Nina, whose saucy laugh
not sven the warning elements could
quell. Lillian, pale trembling from her
recent exposure, became white as maj
BILE when Nina whispered in her ear:
viii yon accept my lover now if I
will give him to your"
At length the storm was over and the
sun shone out, turning the raindrops
drops on the forest leaves to twinkling
jewels. The party made their way home,
q trife the worse for wear, and it was
not until they had all partaken of q sup
per prepared for them at Oakland that
entire composure was restored to them.
After the events Of the picnic Edgar
became a devoted lover, but although
his affections were dear to Lillian, they
failed to bring real happiness. She had
told Edgar that she loved him when she
knew she should be parted from him
forever if she married the husband
chosen for her by her father. She had
betrayed the confidence of her little
friend Nina, and was practic-
ing deceit toward Hugh
Thornton. The girl was driven
to desperation. At last she determined
to see her betrothed husband, to lay her
heart, with all its infirmities, open for
his inspection. Perhaps he, too, would
be glad to be free. Surely he would
not marry a girl who had given her
heart to another. She would throw
herself on his mercy. She could but
marry him after he had distinguished
the hope she had been cherishing.
The autumn had nov passed away,
and had been succeeded by q pleasant
open winter. Gossip had tired of Lii
ian and her affairs. Nina glided about
like a sunbeam, refusing to be jealous
of her lover, but when questioned about
him always wore that applicable smile
that puzzled all the wise heads in Bloom
ingdale.
The theatrical season had commenced
in New York, and a celebrated singer
there wa creating q whirl of excite
ment throughout the whole surround
ing country. It had reached as far as
Bloomingdale, and as music was a pas
sion with the young people Of that town,
= party was speedily gotten up to visit
the city and hear the famous cantatrice.
Lillian gladly accepted an invitation to
accompany them, after having written
to Mr.. Thornton to meet her in New
York.
The morning was bright and beanti-
full when Lillian arose from her pillow
to look for the first time into q street of
the great city already filled with hur-
rying people. Scarcely was her toilet
completed when n letter, bearing the
Washington postmark. was handed to
her from the door. Yes; it was as she
thought-to-morrow would decide her
fate and she would know whether she
was destined for a life of happiness or
for n of bitter misery.
Lillian looked queenly in her seat g;
tho opera house that evening, and many
. questioning eye in the vast assemblage
was bent upon her. Edgar sat by her
side listening to the glorious voice of
Madame Bfanco, when suddenly he
laid his hand upon Lilian's arm, with a
shivsr that went lnsa an electric shock
to her heart, and WNSspered to her
Hugh Thornton is here! Nscilowing the
direction of his glance sheN leaning
against a pillar, Q young ann elegant
man, whose light, curling hairN <haded
but did not conceal a massive foreN Pad,
His laughing eyes were riveted on her
face, which displayed the confusion into
which she hadfalleh- Edgar SAN only
her, and his pale face grew paler as
he noted the exertion for self-possession
that Lillian was forced to make. Nina
could not refrain from giving utterance,
rather loudly, to her surprise upon do
tecting Hugh Thornton among the au.
dience, but was embarrassed when she
became aware of the attention she was
attracting.
ut is all over" Lillian said to Edgar,
as he handed her from the carriage at
t1Na 1N1. r,S la, 1x,&a1 ST. gEVTr1 l.-.,1 1,zn,,
very happy, too happy! Try to remem-
Der me kindly Springing past him.
she sought her private parlor, and,
throwing herself upon a sofa, burst into
a passionate food ST tears. She had
at last seen Hugh Thornton. He was
handsome, possessed fame and talent
that the world had acknowledged, We.
all this was nothing to her compared
with the love of the poor, dark yisaged
student, Edgar Wharton.
As she lay there, utterly abandoned
to grief, a strong arm passed around her
and gathered her to its owners heart.
lyon have e him. Lillian said
Edgar, in his full deep voice. A sob
was her only reply. aHe is a splendid
fellow, while L.
AOh, spare me Edgari / love yon,
only you! You are all in all to mel"
An expression of joy passed across the
students pale face.
.sThink seriously, Lillian, before you
answer me- he resumed. Will you give
up your brilliant prospects as the spouse
Of one whom all delight to honor to be-
come the wife of a man who can prom
Use you nothingb but q life Of obscurity?n
Anything, everything, 80 lam not
separated from you.'
Again that joyful expression fitted
Gro the face Of the qu~estioner. At
that moment q gay laugh attracted their
attention, and Mini accompanied by
Hugh Thornton. entered the room.