The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-11-21
SURPRISED.

She was tail and pretty, With deep
hazel eyes, and heavy, glossy braids Of
dark brown hair, and her complexion
was like that of a four-year-old child, as
she stood in the window, with the after
noon sunshine upon her face and form.
Mr.. Errcl sat opposite, watching her
with quiet, observant eyes, in which
lurked shade OF annoyance.
"A1e you in earnest, Olive?"
eyes, quite in earnest, George"
"And, for the sake of your cousin
Sarah Evelyn's children, you are will
ing to give up your future, our future,
Olive, as may call it?"
George, you misinterpret me-" she
said, pleadingly. II loveiyou as dear
ly as ever did,"
GLOW can credit your words, Olive,
when for the sake of two miserable
children, who are really nothing
to you, you are willing to overturn
all our bright visions of q happy, mutual
home?"
"They are orphans, George, and des-
titute"
"Then let them be sent to an orphan
asylum"
"Oh, George" the color mounted
rapidly to Olive Merton's cheek, "you
surely would not have me deprive my
cousins little ones of the sweet infu-
ence of home of their own-you
would never condemn them to the
harsh, sunless life of charitable insti.
tution?"
"tThat's all sentimental nonsense, >
said Mr.. Enrol, coldly. "The upshot
of the matter is that you don't love
me-"
"Georgep
eyes," the embittered lover went on
almost rudely; fine words and fearful
looks are all very eloquent, I DOM
doubt, but l prefer to Judge by actions
only. 1t isn't particularly fattering tc
me that you prefer these orphans to my
love-"
George you know that it is not that
but ought to shrink from my mani
fest duty ?"
"Just as you choose" he answered
coldly; "but has it ever occurred to yor
how you are to support these two pre-
cious proteges of yours? I believe you
have no independent fortune of youl
own"
Olives eyes fell, and a troubled ex
preston came over her face
Il must try to obtain situation as
teacher" she said softly.
'"That will be pleasant" remarked
Mr.. Enrol, ironically,
"Our duty should always be pleasant
George"
The voice was subdued and panied
Mr.. Errol rose.
"Since you have chosen your path,
know Of nothing that is left me save tc
bid you good-by!"
"Good-by, George-.try to thinf
kindly of me, /" she faltered, her little
hand trembled in his palm, as fright
ened bird hutters sometimes beneatl
/ the human grasp.
! And SO they parted; these lovers who
brief while ago, had been all in all tc
each other. And Olive Merton drop.
ped into chair, burying her face il
her hands, as soon as he was gone.
She had hoped, she had fancied, she
knew not what-perhaps that Georgt
would approve her self-imposed duty
and cheer her with his love in its per
formance; nay. it had even crossed hel
mind, as remote possibility, that hi
might even take the poor little orphan!
as well as herself to his heart.
! Yet she checked herself, even in til,
| thought. What right had she to ex
pect him to burden himself with thos,
cares and trials, simply because the,
came to her as charge which it wa
impossible for her to put away? No
it was folly, and worse than folly, TO
her to sit brooding here when the mat
ter was fully and irrevocably decided
The brief glimpse Of sunshine which
had frightened her life in the pros
pect of George Errors love and
home of her own, should shine no NOR
for her; there was no use in turnin,
away from the laden-gray pathwa
which stretched out before her girl foot
steps. There was one comfort; tn
poor little orphans should never feel th
loss of mothers love while she live
to cherish and toll for them.
i Duty is often bitter cup to drink
but it seldom comes in quite so uninyit