The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-11-14

WnetneT ! was IN piss OIL torture. Iel
Claire all this. Let her say no prayer
for the peace of my soul if she dares 1
think Of another. And you, you hav
sworn you did not know what I wante,
you to do, but you have sworn it by til
white Christ above us!"
CASTOR feared that his friends reason
was tottcring, for these last words wer
in a wild and threatening tone. He fel
a strange sort OF chill creeping INTO hi
blood, as he said:
"Yes, / have sworn.n
"You will tell Claire all, and if sh,
ever thinks Of marrying another you will
prevent it."
II will do all I can" murmured Gas
ton, with q shudder.
aYou must prevent It'll" echoed Rafe
"sBut howl"
Rafe murmured something unintel
ligible. Grafton bent down his ear t.
hear him speak. These words came I,
him clear. low and distinct:
"If there is no other way, you mus
kill the mani"
CASTOR started back with O cry.
but that would be murder. I car
not be an assassini"
you. can make it a duel" said Rafe
family. "You will do it for you have
sworn"
CASTOR fell back as if lie had beer
struck by blow; I'LL his senses reeled
What madness was this to which he had
pledged himself in such a solemn way
A moan from his friend aroused him.
"QuickW gaspsd r afe, as
though he were wrestling will
solne unseen power that was hurryine
him away; there is no time tc
lose. Have l given my life for you,
and you hesitate 10 risk anything for
me, to give me peace in this dark hour :
| leave my darling forever, and you,
You are the cause Speak! she must be
mine in eternity. Speak!"
u will keep the vow, said CASTOR
with n slow and painful utterance; "be
at peace my friend"
A faint smile came to The lips of the
dying man. A wan moon drifted out
from n dim cloud and threw a pallid
light upon his face. 1t showed the gray
shadow of death settling there, and the
infinite love and pity of the white Christ
on the cross above him. CASTOR buried
his face in his hands, and sobbed aloud.
There was q riot of roses in that gar
den. The dusty, trayeI-stained man
who made his way through them no.
ticedhow luxurlantly they had wandered
about while he had been away. Twi-
light was coming on, but the roses made
a glow in the green gloom. He heard
o sound of gay voices, too, and q laugh
SO fresh and young and joyous that it
made him start as if smitten with a sud-
den pain. He had not laughed since a
certain night, when he had seen the dead
body Of his friend borne ANY,. A turn
in the path brings a gray.stone balcony
in sight, and the next moment some one
seated there starts with a cry of Joy.
"Oh, my son! my son!"
His mothers arms are about him, and
something like o tear touches his sun
burnt cheek.
"Oh, CASTOR, you look haggard and
changed! You have lost your youth"
Such scenes make men old, mother"
said the young soldier. "Don't speak
of the wal just yet. I want to rest for
q little TO get courage for the task. /
am SO glad you are not alone. I heard
voices and laughter"
Yes, Merle is here" in a lower
tone. 81 know you don't like him, and
he is really more ~insufferable than ever
with his %conceit; but he's full of fun,
and the place was so lonely with
out you. Then / have a sur
prise for you. 1 knew you loved
RATE, so l went over two or three weeks
agot to see his wife. She's a pretty lit
tie thing, and seemed moped. I brought
her here for q change. 1t has done her
good, and she's as merry as o cricket.
I'll call her; you car give her news of
RATE"
His wife!" faltered Castor, stunned
at the news; "his wife here?"
"Of course; nothing more natural.
We moaned our lot together. At least,
I'm afraid I did the most of the moan
ing. She is not the moaning kind.
She's like day in June, all blossom
and sunshine and song"
CASTOR sat down on a rustic sent on
the balcony, and his mothers voice
sounded far off. He felt the weight of
his mission upon him.
"But you need not see either of them
till you are rested, poor boy" his moth
or said, eagerly, looking at the haggard
face. And then she had the keen pleas
ure Of waiting on her darling, making
him eat, seeing him enjoy the old room
Of his boyhood, and telling him all
about her life since he went.
"Now, I must go to Claire, she said;
Sits selfish in menot to go and give her
the good news. I suppose Rafe will
soon be here. Why didn't you come
together I"
A look of pain came into Gaston's
face that made his mother cry out
why, he's not ill, is hep
"No; he's we'll better than any
of us. He'll never be ill again
Oh, mother, he's dead! Dear ole
Rates. gone, and 1 wish I had gone
instead! He took my shot. HI
Went in my place. How can l face his
wife and tell her the story. She vii
hate me when she knows ALL"
The tears came into Madame Ii
Farge's eyes. "No CASTOR, do no,
think SO. It is terrible news, but Clair.
would not be SO unjust as to regard yo,
with dislike for it. Shall I tell her?'
No; I promised" exclaimed CASTOR
II must do all poor RATE asked
since he gave his life for mel"
well, wait awhile. Don't be in
hurry with the evil tidings. Poo,
Claire is so happy, she does not feel
| fear.
$50 happy said Castor, sand he
1-- 49,