The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-05-28

attempted to utter some phrase of
boyish gallantry. At the first word,
however, the girl stopped him.
"Don't speak to me-" she said, in a
voice trembling with suppressed emo
ton.
Young Thurston was SO disconcert-
ed that he had serious thoughts of dis
appearing down a side street. One
thing only was quite clear to him, and
that was that the adventure he had
embarked upon was very different
from anything he had vaguely antici.
pated. The girls appearance and
manner precluded all suspicion OF
lightness of character; her demeanor,
indeed, impressed him with a feeling
of solemnity. He could not for the
lie OF him bring himself to explain
that he was not the person he had
pretended. Youthful awkwardness
and q sense Of shame kept HIM silent.
At length his guide turned aside into
a mean, marrow street andstoppedb be.
fore one Of the poorest houses. AT
the door Thurston made a last des.
perate effort to unburden himself, but
the glil silenced him by a peremptory
gesture and preceded him through q
narrow entrance, and up a creakine
flight OF stairs. Thurston, unfamiliar
with the habitations Of the poor, for.
got his embarrassment in uncomfort.
able wonder and distrust.
AT the top Of the second flight
the hluhnSt ctN~ty ~ eo-x 81. =
laid her hand upon the handle OF a
doorway, and then paused. She lift.
ed the candle which she carried, and
gazed scrutinizingly at Thurston.
Summon up your courage" she
said sternly, yet with a mocking note
in her voice. do not be afraid"
~ am not afraid" he said quite
mildly.
The girl conductedh him into asmall,
miserably furnished room, with q
sloping roof. One end OF it was a
titioned off with a curtain. Thurs.
ton staring about him curiously,
had barely time to notice these de-
tails before his companion, advancing
TO n curtain, drew it aside.
"Look here!" she said.
Thurston started, and then, with
an involuntary exclamation, took a
step forward, for there, upon a a.
row bed, lay what he first imagined
to be a waxen figure. 1t was the dead
bodyo OF a young girl.
A child almost, withdelicate features
and masses OF golden hair, which
streamed upon the pillow and over
her shoulders. The poor creatures
remains had evidently been arranged
with a view to picturesque effect. The
thin, waxen hands were folded upon
her breast, which bore a cross OF
flowers. Thetableau-a trile morbid
and theatrical, perhaps-was never
theless strikingly beautiful and touch,
ing.
Poor young Thurston was appalled,
n Mortified. He vas but a lad and
had neve seen a dead person.
The sublime serenity OF d~eath-sleep
was ave more impressively mani
fest than in the motionless face of this
dead girl. He gazed with a sort OF
terrified fascination, and the spectacle,
combined with the painful shock OF
surprise, made him turn white and
faint.
His comprehensive girl Helen
meanwhile stood gazing at him with
an expression OF relentless serverity
The veins Of her hand, which clutched
at the curtain, stood out, blue and
livid, her eyes glared speeches. indig
nation.
"That is why Maggie could not
come" she said at length, slowly
"she is dead, as you see."
Thurston said nothing, being over
come by shame and horror at the jest
which had led to this tragic de
monument.
ut was by her wish that l brought
you here. She would not tell meyoul
name and address, but made me ad
vertise as directed"
Thurston opened his lips to speak
but could not find words to express
his thoughtless frivolity at such a mo
ment.
"she told me to tellyou," CONTINUED
the girl, "that she loved you and for
gave you. Your letters are here, next
her heart; she wishes them to be buried
with her"
The girl lovingly laid her hand or
her dead sisters breast as she spoke
then in an altered tone, and with 8
startling change OF attitude and man
ner, she drew q letter from her pocket
Except this" she added sternly
"this | was TO give back to you. 1t i;
your last letter. She did not believe
you meant what you said in it,"
IhllrStnn'S natural ine,,1co u,os
to refuse the letter, but the girl press
ed it almost fiercely upon him, anc
he deemed it wiser at the momen,
to take it thanto explain. Hethere
fore hurriedly thrustit into his peck
ct.
"That isall," said the girl evident
ly controlling herselfby agreat effort
"Uniess yo" wouldlike TOTO kiss
mo, no." interrupted Thurston il
q whisper.
81 don't think the worse OF 70,
for that" said the girl, dropping tn,
curtain, with an air Of relief; "Of al
lips, yours are the most unworthy te
touch her angel face. But she bad'
me ask you"
She turned aside as she spoke, ant
Thurston began to edge towards tn,
door.
II promised I would not reproacl
you,' said the girl, not attempting tt
hinder him. But it was a cruel, heart
less crime. We were alone, she and +
my baby sister. Times were bad, ant
| had to leave her for a while-a littl,
while. / thought she was safe, blu
you came by-you, a fine, rich gentle
man. You ruthlessly plucked my
poor flower and flung it aside. Goo
forgive YOU"