The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-06-05
TO see beyond the present was impossi.

oSyoAO tue present was LmpOSSl
BILE.
They stopped, one day, at an old
farm house, with quaint, diamond PANIED
windows. Leslie fancied the wainscot-
ed rooms and the old garden of holly
hooks and fragrant southern wood, and
waited in the sunny sitting room, like
one in a pleasant dream, for her dinner.
Her uncle and his adopted son had
gone to make SIRE that their beautiful
carriage horses would receive the best
of care.
Suddenly the wind blown boughs of
the door yard cherry tree parted, and
let a shaft Of sunshine upon the dia-
mond panes of the window, and Leslie
saw writing there, and rose to read it.
Scratched by a diamond were the
names "Adrain Airlie" and ".Aida Oar
rell, !" and a date was added.
The room reeled around, but the evil
dence vas before her ewes. Her host
a g%arrulous, common place little man
strolled into the room and observed Her
occupation.
"Wonder if the gentleman ii remem-
Der when he wrote them names. Lem
me see; t was nigh three years ago. l
knew him the moment I laid my eyes
on him. I'm powerful good at recollec-
tin faces. You're not like the other one.
She was smaller an fairer, though not
any better lookin'. Twas a damon
ring he writ 'em with-a mighty fine
one."
Two shadows bad paused in the door
way, as Leslie turned.
You would not have known the
girl she was so white and stern.
"Your name-was it Adrian Arlie?"
she demanded.
No answer; but there was guilt in the
mans face.
"Yes," said her uncle, "his name was
Arlic before he took mine"
For one little moment Leslie looked
into the shallow shrinking black eyes.
Then she turned away disdainful as q
princess, and drew out her watch.
will you take me to the station in
time for the train, Mr.. Nudge? Yes,
dear uncle, l must return home. Nc
persuasion would induce me to stay
here"
One evening John Maddern stroiled
sadly into the garden of lilies. A tail
girl rose up frcm Il rustic chair.
john she cried gladly.
Soon they were walking arm-in-arm
under the locusts III the twilight.
Il never told You, John, but my sister
Aida died of a broiien heart. Long age
when my mother was estranged from
her parents because she married against
their will, we lost father and mother,
and were left u%nprovided for.
Aida was but sixteen. She went
into q rich family in New Hampshire
as goyerness. while | was tossed fHon
pillar to post by Indifferent friends-t
troublesome little imp. they said.
1T was up there that Aida me-
Adrian Airlie. She was very prett,
then. when in health. They we're be.
trothed. She wore his diamond ring
Poor Aida! SO lonely, so loving!
"He was only amusing himself. He
left her to break her heart. Grandma
did not know when she found us auG
brought Us home at %grandpa's death.
She needed us as much as we needed
her. She had a fine house in the city
but she brought Aida here, seeing hel
so delicate.
"No, she never knew! Aida wrote
it all out in a letter, and left it for me.
Oh, l cannot tell you how 1 have weep
over that letter. He was all her world,
and she hoped so that he would come
back to her.
"I can understand how bright h
made life for her for ~ little while, aut
then he left ~her-nothing. Aida would
have lived to be happy, but for his self
ishness and cruelty. When l think tina
I might have loved him, it seems as if
should die of shame!
Don't blame me too much, dear. ]
have not seen a great deal of men, ant
this one had more charms than any 9th
er | ever met. Yet to-day l hate him
hate to the core a nature all selishnes
and insincerity!
"Thank God, 1 found out before tot
late! John, if l have given you an,
pain, will you forgive me?'
And John Madden knew that TIL
girl that he took into his arms was al
his own.