The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-08-28

possible, what are its real needs. Iou
are well aware that [ never fnncicd
Your Southern lover, and should be
thankful to have the Engagement
broken. But. until Won have taken this
decisive step, honor demands that you
he true to HIM. Sis, why did you ever
accept him."
because he was so much in earnest,
L guess. EIt ! shall never recall my
plighted word, though / think he would
take it philosophically."
Then put a stop to the doctors com
ing here so often"
II wish I'd never seer himl" cried
Gertrude. whats more" with a
sudden burst of confidence, she says he
wishes he'd never seen me"
"Gertrude!" exclaimed her sister, in
surprise.
"Fact!" was the defiant answer.
"Were | i'll your place, Gertie, l
would never marry"
well, ] almost wish I had accepted
my first offer" with a swift, coYuettisli
glance from w%onderous blue eyes of that
gare, wood-violet hue.
He who captivates the fancy of the
girl Of sixteen, is seldom suited to the
maturer mind and ripened culture OF
twenty-four. You would have detested
him by this tlnle," said Eleanor, sage
ly.
Perhaps, with a little sigh.
"Ana he, you"
IL think not" with a conscious look
of power. II have never doubted my
ability to keep a mans affection, once his
wife"
Her sister smiled half-sadly, at the
UNCONSCIOUS egotism displayed. Con
stancy alone brings happiness, dear, "
she said, soberly. "Never marry until
you love so devotedly that your whole
being is engrossed 10y that one. Never
love until you find a worthy object.
Above all, be sure that the man of your
choice can place you in the position you
are so well-titted to grace. that your
new home is the equal of your girl
hoods. Economy and self-denial are
merely empty titles to you, Of which
you have no practical knowledge.
You are not calculated for a poor mans
wife"
81 am aware of that" pensively.
just then the carrier rang.
"From Scott" said Gertrude, in an
swer to her sisters mute inquiry.
Soon size began to read aloud.
81 was awfully disappointed not to
have a letter from you to-day, sweet
heart. 1t is now more than a week
since 1 have heard a word from you.
Dearest, I feel that it is very selfish in
me to keep you tied to me-but oh!
Gertie, how could l give you up?
When l proposed to your father for
hand, [ thought my position an
assured one. Since then, as you know,
l have lost it, through no fault of my
own. Still hope to have another as
good, by fall.
Darling, YOU will wait patiently, will
you not? You will be only q poor
mans wife, but what a wealth of love l
shall bring YOU"
Gertrude looked up, with dim eyes.
Poor, dear Scott" she murmured,
Hes a splendid fellow. any
way, and I do like him ever so much"
Taking out her writing materials, she
Immediately sat down to answer his let
ter, but ere a dozen lines had been writ
ten, DR.. Cleveland was announced, and
the unfinished sheet was hastily tucked
of sight.
There! You. see how it is" she
said, glancing at her sister, half-apolo-
getically.
Old it ever occur to you that you
might excuse yourself to the doctor?'
was the somewhat sarcastic inquiry.
Gertrude disdained to reply.
August passed, September also.
The man whose love affairs had been
as numerous as the sands Of the sea-
shore, for once was constant,-some-
what to his own surprise. Gertrude
star still reigned supreme.
The doctor was gradually gaining
ground, though as vet Gertie rehelled
ut his power. Forced to admit the
strength and reality of his devotion,
she felt afraid to yield to the new, del,-
cious emotion which agitated each
nerve and fibre of her being, and COM
pared to which, past loves were but as
the ripples on the calm bosom of n lake
the sudden summer storm.
One concession, however, she had
made. Her slim, white hand was ring
less.
Eleanor had openly esponscd the
doctors cause, infinitely preferring his
active, ambitious temperament. to the
southern languor, and atfrctatlon OF the
absent, while Cleveland's frank, ardent
wooing won her sympathy.
But though she often lcctured Gertie
rSun1ly for mot i,3,,-i,r tln f,r,, -
an end, that young lady either perverse-
ly evaded the subject, or tartly answer
ed that she was capable of managing
her own affairs.
"Gertie," said DR.. C~levadale, one
evening, Il can bear this no
1t is uniting me for my pro-
f~essional work. Either you must give
nue. a decisive answer, or l must go else
where"
He had never spoken, in this quiet,
determined way, and the high-spirited
girl inwardly acknowledged her con-
querer. Her heart beat sutfo catiugly
as she asked, family.
Gould you, then, give mo up so
"Easily!n
The tone suficed. Gertrude silently
handed him n letter.
1t was n manly reply from Scott Har-
court, releasing her from their engage
ment. Unknown to all, she had writ
ten, requesting this.
And you did this for me, my darling,
while 1 was wondering whether you
would ever love me we'll enough?
Bless you!" and he caught her in u
swift, glad embrace.
Il was a long time in reading my own
heart, but ] wished to make no mistake,
time" lifting her shy. happy eyes.
$50 the matter is finally scttled?"
inquired Eleanor, who had entered, un-
noticed. Glow glad ami"
1.-TWO fearful hirts fused into one,"