The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-03-14
GkRTRUDE'S RESOLUTION.


GMTRUDE'S RESOLUTION.
NO! I'll never marry. I've sees,
enough of welded blisss!a declared Gef-
trude Meaerve, with emphasis, shaking
her pretty little head. 81
just wait until Mr.. Right, comes
along, 'laughingiyrespondedher friend.
Lucy Evans.
here will not be any such person,
III this case" was the decided answer.
"Oh, no! OF course not. A certain
Young lady is 30 u~nattractive, and not a
bit OF a hirt either said Miss Evans
with mild sarcasm. ''''' sss
Gertie oolered, and rolled her lovely
ol''e eyes up at Lucy in n way that
most people, men especially, found ex.
trcmely fascinating.
.sNtow, Lu, she cried, s'you'remaking
fun Of me, and I'm in dead earnest. I
know its all very nice to have plenty of
heaux, other-wise girls would be obliged
to lose manya good time; for how could
we so to parties and places Of ,! hmfttr,se
ment unattended? But rs for being
maraed, that's a different thing. Mhv,
don't know . single thoroughly Hapny,
welded couple, and I don't beeliitesvHA volt.
%
We'll" answered Lucy, reficctively.
Il had never thought about il before
but must really confess You are in the
right"
'lknew I was" triumphmNW 2'sN Now
lust let me name over a few pftlA girls
who were schoolmates will us, and
whose prospects certainly we're fair.
There's Annie Lawton+only been mar
RED two years, and her husband scarce
ly spends m evening at home With her,
much less takes her anywhere, and
ANNE always was the gayest of
the gay. I don't see how she bears such
neglect. Then Nettie Cummings, her
husband already n notorious drunkard.
10 be sure. she had driven hfiinT to IL by.
being that detestabIe thing, 4 married
tiirt. Lizzie .Gerard-a .confirmsd in-
valid, to whom hers husbands wealth
brings little happiness. Florie Merton,
united ton poor man. with aI'wholei
brood OF little ones to briIngwup. Flo
has to work hard enough now, if she
never did MS q girl. So I.mightl go ON
nd infinitum. Bah! It's enough to dis
gust anyone with the whole subject.
No! I'm an old maid, and I, mean. to
stay one?"
Not such o worry old one" said Lucy,
smilingly. "But seriously, dear, l,
think YOU are a little tooSs harsI /.
know I can trust my Horace" a Tender
light creeping into her soft eyes, and
playing about her sweet lips, "and 1
hope he can trust me-"
II should hope SOP cried Gertie. Civ
ing her friends hand q little squseze
do forgive mo, LII! T ought not to
have run on SO, and you justaon the
brink of marriage yourself. Horacve
Vincent isea splendid fellow, and I've
nodoubt you'll be the model couple
have looked for in vain oslongp
And make convert ofyou::"
Yes; for already am convinced that
marriage ought to bring happiness. If
it does not, wherein lies the difficultv:'
Iii on the wife's side, ours shall not
be a fainre!" answered Lucy, q touch
of noble pride and confidence in her
voice. 2'ie ~ : .rs sJeaS
"There comes MI. Vincent, now ex-
claimed Gertie. tsp e',s 2s7sw
"So it is" said Lucy. glanciig eager
ly out of the window.
Stopping only to fasten Il few fresh
flowers OF her throat, she ran down to
meet her lover, with a face illumined by
happiness into positive beauty.t
Left alone, Miss Meserve sighedlau-
dibly. "How full of JOY she is" she
1nurnlurcd. 81 declare it is enough to
make n envious," roaming idly about,
toying with the many knick7knacks
which she already knew by heart, in a
restless aimless fashion.
It was an inviting room, this of Miss
Evans. exhibiting the quiet, refined
taste Of thesyoung mist1essin,alsit ap-
pointrnents. Offs tive windows, sone
looked over trim fields and distant,
wooded hills, to where the sunset RAYS
painted the sky. The other looked
straight down the broad, shady road
which led to the heart of the dear old
town. Coming up this street was q
horseman at sight of whom Gertie ut
tered q ittle.eSy ofsurprise and delight.
"Rodger Magil17! How splendid! l
havn'tsee him hut once since he gradu-
ated from the medical school three years
ago. and went North to enter q hospital
as house doctor. l wonder if he has
obtained a good practice yet. How
handsomeh he is i' as the gentleman ain
mounted. sob, dearsI dSItklookE ft
to be seen" with q Disguised glance ut
her simple muslin. s'Rodger always
was so particular about a lady's attire.
Iwonder if Ln was expecting him. l
should have thought she, might have
told mel"
"Gertie dear" called her friend,
come down There's some one here
who particularly wishes to see you."
Gertie blushed. Directly" she
answered, stopping q momeptto calm
her un*onted excitement
The picture that met her eye as she
entered til, drawing-room wa lovely
one. Lucy reclined gracefully in a low
rocker, and behind her chair stood her
lover, tall, slight and graceful, bending
his proud heed to catch her low. tones.
Near by. MagM, Magnificent q form,
rarely Ihaautif1iIof face, with manners
that were tho ideal of ancient .chivalry.
He, too, was standing, and as Miss
Meserve approached, he met Aer more
than hnlf WY, bending Ion as he
said: