The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-08-29
THE BROKEN vow. !

The Judge.
THE BROKEN VOW.
"So, Harry. you are about to leave us.
How can I exist during the next year
without your presence OF your love?"
Hush, darling, how can you speak
so? You we'll know that my love you
will always posses; and, as time flies
fast a year will not be long passing"
Such were the words spoken one
beautiful, balmy night in July, 1856.
Both were seated near an open win
dow which faced the sloping lawn, and
through which the soft beams of the
rising moon entered, thus producing a
soft, mellow light and somber shade,
more beautiful than the c~hiarcscuro OF
of a Rembrandt picture.
Harry Temple was a young man., ap-
parently about % years old-neither
handsome nor otherwise-but in whose
breast no spark of falsehood or dishon-
or could be found.
He vas o great favorite with all who
knew him for his frank, generous, and
confding disposition, and quiet, unas-
Stunning manners-quick to resent an in
suit, he was always ready to apologize
when he happened to be in the wrong.
He had known Agnes Crawford for
many years, and soon manifested q pref
erence for her eociety.
She, too, although then only q ro-
mantle schoolgirl of 16, was proud of
the homage paid her, and soon learned
to love him with all the affection of her
nature.
About three months previous to the
conversation alluded to they went on a
pleasure excursion with some friends.
Early in the afternoon, being tired of
dancing. they proceeded to retired
nook, which was sheltered from obser-
walton by the oyerhanging branches of
trees.
At their feet glided the river calmly
by, and while gazing at their reflection
in the water Harry Temple told her of
his love, and besought her to answer
him truly and faithfully whether she
could return it.
She, of course, though she often ex-
pected such a question, became embar-
rassed, cast down her eyes, and blushed
excessively. But that was evidence
enough in her lovers estimation, so,
drawing her close to him, he imprinted
the first kiss on her lips and addressed
her in every %endearing expression of
love and rapture.
From that day they were acknowl-
edged as betrothed lovers.
Now, however, they were about to be
severed from each others society.
Harry had received q letter from his
uncle the day before requesting him to
go Immediately to Cincinnati and enter
his office. A liberal salary was offered
to him, and he determined to accept it.
He therefore called on his betrothed,
explained the necessity of their separa-
ton for a time, and promised to marry
her in a year, if she would consent to
wait till that time. She wept bitterly
at first, but seeing the advantages which
her lover would derive, she consented.
After some time passed in the con-
versation which young lovers delight to
indulge in, Harry drew his afianced to
his breast and imprinted a passionate,
loving kiss o her lips as he exclaimed:
Now, darling, I must bid you adieu.
The cars for Cincinnati leave at 8
o'clock, and Ihave but one hourto make
arrangements for my departure. Re-
member, Agnes, that / will certainly
claim you in a year from this day--that
is, if you do not in the meantime find
some person who will win your affec.
tons from me-"
ooh, Harry, how cruel of you to men
ton such nonsense. You know / have
given you my first and last love, and I
never can love another" she sobbed,
as she chung to his shoulder and hid her
blushing face on his breast.
After one last embrace he gently re-
leased himself and, with a foud look at
the. object of his love, departed.
For several months they correspond
ed regularly. Each letter written was
couched in language breathing the most
e%ndearing expressions Of affection and
fidelity.
They regretted the cruel fate which
separated them, but they looked for
ward to the time when they should
meet to part no more.
In the last letter Agnes had written
to her lover she used -four a closely
written in explaining her plans for
the coming wedding the dress she
intended to wear, the places she desired
to visit after her marriage, and even
alluded to the amer In which she
would conduct her future household,
But it appears she forgot the old
adage. which says:
TIE bess laid plans Of mice and men
AZ the postscript of a lady's letter
usually contains the most important
information, hers was no exception to
the general rule.
She statedi in a concise and apparent
" careless manner that a young gentle
man, rather handsome, had been intro
duced to her q few evenings previous,
and had called upon her two or three
times since.
Harry Temple received her letter
about a week after it was written, and
was evidently chagrined when he read
the postscript.
He soon, however, laughed at the
idea, and attributed it to q design on
her part to make him Jealous.
He therefore made no allusion to the
matter in his answer. but wrote that Sin
a month he would have the happiness
OF basking in the sunshine Of her pres
snce."
] His uncle had advanced his salary,