The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-12-03

element was greatly overrated. Madge
Sullivan, his sisters Chicago friend,
was more to his taste. Kitty must
be reminded OF her little failings; yet
she was dear, good girl after all, and
Ross face softened as he glanced TO-
ward her.
She would not meet his eyes; she
was trying to steel her heart against
! him. 1t was so cruel, so unmanly,
| urged pride, for him to place her in so
| perplexing and humiliating u position.
He had been her devoted lover, her
| constant attendant since they were
| children. There was not @ plan for
his future, a hope of his life which he
had not confided to her. He had been
faithful, tender and kind, but he had
| never asked her in SO many words to
be his wife.
Until the past year she had never
! doubted him; but now the village was
full OF rumors concerning his attan-
tions to Madge Sullivan, a Chicago
beauty and helress, his sisters school
friend. Pitying glances were cast up.
on Kitty as she passed her girl friends
at places OF amusement where her
rival received the lions share OF her
lovers attentions. She felt that she
was neglected, and Aunt Sabrina's
rude touch had torn open o. raw and
quivering wound:
| Ross walked homeward moody and
indignant. He had been treated with
gross disrespect, he meditated as he
went along. Kitty was assuming q
new and uncomfortable role, and to
| punish her for her impertinence, much
DIS no enjoyed her cookery, he
should absent himself from her
Thanksgiving dinner unless she made
him u suitable apology. That even
ing he relieved his feelings by dashing
| OH some sarcastic verses, for which
he had @ special talent, and, inclosing
them in blank kenvelope, tossed them
into his desk, fully persuaded that the
next morning would bring him peni-
tent little note in Kitty's clear CHR
ography.
But the note did not como; Kitty
| was too deeply hurt to proffer any
flag OF truce. She went from room to
room, putting the curtains into more
1 graceful folds, rearranglng the books
and trif1es on the mantel and tables,
and filling the great blue vases with
masses of snowy chrysanthemums
All the while she was listening and
waiting for the advent OF her lover,
and a chance step upon the walk sent
the blood surging to her cheek.
The evening came at last. Ross had
something told her, and going to her
room she gave herself up to an agony
OF weeping. II Ross had cared, if there
] hnl A1>n .,r% aeA I.
! old love remaining, he would have
been with her before this, anxious for
reconciliation, taking the blame upon
/ himself in his old frank, generous way.
/ No, it was as the neighbors said; an
other had suppianted her in his egard
| if indeed he had ever cared for her as
she had SO fondly imagined.
Here's q letter for you, Kitty"
called out Aunt Sabrina up the stair.
way. Its from Chicago, and must be
something pretty important, guess,
| for it's got two stamps on it. Read
| it quick, and let us know who it's
! from"
She took the letter, thankful for the
dim light which concealed her tear
stained cheeks and swollen eyes, and
read us follows:-
CHICAGO, November 26, 1S-.
MY Dear Cousin: have been trying to
think whom / could call upon in the pres
ent emergency, and find there is no one but
your own kind, helpful cheerful self. Your
persistent refusnls to visit me will not be
accepted now, for happen to know that
our ancient Aunt Sabrina is at hand to
take your place at the household helm
But to begin at the beginning.
Coming out OF the theater few even.
ings since had the i'll fortune to sprai in my
ankle. The physician warns me that l
and the thought appals me. Fred is at the
office the livelonz day, and the loneliness
OF my lot is unbearable. My only hope is
that you will be unmindful enough OF your
cousinly duty to come, like the beneticen.
fairy that you are and save me from dying
OF ennui."
Here followed several pages Of family
and personal matters, i'll which tho reader
has no interest. The letter closed in this
wise: "Tnking your assent for granted l
inclose II check to defray travelling expens.
es. Never mind about your wardrobe;
there will be time enough for that alter you
are here. Don't wait to write, but tele-
graph me and start at once Your afiec.
tionate cousin, ruth HEARNE."
| Another day had passed, and think.
ing Kitty sufficiently punished Ross
adorned himself in his best, and leisur-
i ly proceeded to the farmhouse. Aunt
ever, answered his knock.
"Is Kitty at homer" he queried anx-
iously, something in the spinster' g
appearance daunting him.
1 'She went to Chicago this morning
on the 8 o'clock train" curtly an
swered Aunt Sabrina. watching with
delighted eyes the effect OF her COM
munication.
"Kitty gone! and without consult.
ing me?" gasped Ross, forgetting him
self in his astonishment.
"And why should she consult you?"
asked his tormentor. ''What claim
have you on Kitty Payne, or what
right to control her movements"
Ross grew pale; he drew himself up
haushtily, and, without deigning to
answer, secured Kitty's address and
beat a preeipitate retreat. He went
directly to his room, and seated at
his desk indited q manly and tender
epistle to the absent one, blaming
himself severely for the misunder-
standing between them and making
her the formal offer of his hand and
heart
/ Forget and forgive" he pleaded
II know my own heart at last, and it
tells me that without my little friend
and sweetheart life has no happiness
for me-"
| He folded the letter and slipped it
into the envelope. The entrance OF n
younger brother disturbed him and
he tossed it unaddressed into his desk.
Had it but reached its destination,
this letter with it's treightage OF love
and penitence. what a burden of pain
and grief would have been lifted from