The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-07-30
A TALE THAT is TOLD.


faithfully recorded? The outward
pleasures and troubles, he'visible sue
cesses and failures, these may be duly
chropiclea;s but Was lover pen found
capable of tracing the throbbings OF
the heart, the ionein.s OF the soul,
the inner conflict. with its secret VIC
tories and defeats, the pleasures of
hope, the terror ofiear, or the agoniz-
ing anguish OF despair.
Sitting tonight by my lonely fire.
side, all the hot ardor OF youth de-
parted and,gon with the friends OF
that time, ] fold my ringless hands
on my lap and dream OF the days that
are no more. .e
Forty years have glided by since
that bright summer evening, but can
still see myself as ii it were some other
person, standing in the rose-covered
door, anxiously watching the bend in
the road; for my father has gone to
the station TO meet my only sister,
who has for the last two years been in
school at Paris. s.-.+ ,...,
had not once seen her during that
time, and am totally unprepared for
the marvel OF beauty who, lightly step
ping from the chaise, greets me enthu-
siasticaly as ''dear old Nell,"
Ivy was always a pretty child, but
now she is a lovely maiden, fair as d
lily, 1.-the as a sylph, sweet and fascin-
ating. as a siren. Lively and bright
she is, too, chatting gaily all the way
to her room, and arrived there,
placing me in chair, she kneels
down before me and placing her little
hands, one on either side OF my face,
she says; Papa whispered me Sc
cret about you, Nellie; IS it true2"
"Yes, Ivy, it is true,"' l answer,
thankful that herhands partially hide
my bushes, for my engagement to
Arthur Grey, though six months old
isstill too precious a thing to be spoken
OF lightly.
"Let me see," went on Ivy. in her
soft musical tones, smooth and flow
ing as a French woman's, "were not
those the Greys who took. the hall
just before II left Dilbournsa All, what
petite was then--a mere baby. But
have come back to you a grown wo-
man, Nellie, anxiously eager for lover
of my own"
The evening was spent in talking
over old times. recounting changes
that had taken place, and looking for
ward to new pleasures in the future,
and the next day Ivy saw my lover.
He walked from church with us, had
luncheon at the vicarage, and when
the afternoon service was over insist
ed upon taking US up to the hail.
After dinner we three went into the
garden and lay upon the grassy banks.
of the river, Arthur reading to is the
while from Paradise Lost. ~, u ..s n
Ivy rested her golden head upon my
lap, and unseen by any eyes, .Arthnr's
hand wandered untiljt found NINE
which it at once covered in itssstrong,
protecting grasp. %1.a
When we reached home | waited
anxiously for My's opinion of my low
"He is charming" she said. 81
coud,tind it in my heartstc envy you,f
Nellie. HeSis the very handsomest.
mani have ever seen" $g ass 5
"And the truest and Best" I whis-
pered as 1laid my head down on my
pillow to continue IN dreams the hap
piness Of the day.
Before the next Sunday the vicarage
was empty, and Ivy and were Or
phans.
When Arthur had asked my fathers
consent to our engagement ithad been,
given on. the express condition that
we would not be!married until had
completed my 21st year, for he said a
girl hardly knew her own mind until
that age. 5-.- ..-. /.
When, without a word OF warning
he was taken from us, | resolved to
keep my promise and for the interven-y
ing year went with Iyy.to live witha
sister OF our father whom we had new
or seen. ....s
She was the wife OF a struggling So
7icitor living on the Capham road and
had five young children of her own.
She received us kindly, but as if she
took ii great responsibility in taking
charge of two grown-up young ladies,
whose previous lives in a pretty coun-
try vicarage might have untitled them
for tho dull, monotonous routine OF
middle-class in London suburb.
After few days Ivy and | decided
that we must in some way, at least
partially, try 5to. earn our own living
for we saw only too plainly that our
aunt could i'll afford the additional
expense which we must be to her.
Walking one dayin Kensington park
we came to this decision, and then
arose the question, what could we do?
Just then well-known figure pass
ed across the end OF gravel path we
were walking, and merely saying hur-
riedly, Nellie, there is Arthur Gray"
Ivy darted from my side in pursuit OF
the retreating figure, and in a moment
returned with my lover at her side.
"Nellie would have M. you go by, ;"
she said, land then what would have
happened?"
your aunt, who sent mehere afteryo
and to have begged her permission to
await your return there.
After walking for an hour through
some OF the most secluded walks OF
the park, during which time Ivy and
Arthur had luost OF the conversation
to themselves, my happiness being too
great to allow of speech, we turned