The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-10-15

wrapper put on fresh dress, ar
ranged her hair becomingly, and
changed the pucker about her mouth
for her own rosy lips.
You're pretty little thing" Mrs.
Wilson told her when she had fasten-
ed q knot OF blue ribbon In her hair.
"See after babNs now. I'll look in
every now and then through the day
and tonight will come back to you.
Your husband will be here tomorrow
morning.
Eyes" Stella replied, with . bright
look in her eyes. "He'll be here by 10
O'Clock"
After all, it was q long time to wait
she thought. She was soimpatient to
tell him-and she would kiss him as
many times as he wished.
Eyes, indeed'' she exclaimed, joyful-
", bending over Freddy's cot, "we'll
kiss papa hundred thousand times.
won't We dear?"
II do wish Clarence would come"
she kept eying next morning "What
detains him?" she continued, when the
clock was on the stroke ofl2. "What
if-and her heart lay like lead in her
bosom as she recalled the look she
last saw on his face-"what if he new
er comes back, !" she murmured, going
into her own room. ''Mrs. Wilson,"
she called, "where is my husband?"
In an instant the dear, good soul
was beside her, resting a hand tender-
ly on the aching head. True-hearted
woman! She shrank from saying it
had been q dreadful night on the
sound, and that q steamer had collid-
ed with the New York boat. "Her
husband travelled by boat" had been
her conclusion.
Stella caught at her arm, the sound
OF her voice answering Freddy, and
with a. cry she fell. Poor, tired, in.
experienced wife and mpther! Was
the ordeal so ordered? With the help
OF q neighbor Mrs. Wilson laid her on
the bed.
run for the DOCTOR" she said to
"But you don't know"
II do" she interrupted. "Mrs.
Henshaw will have run OF nervous
fever; and whether her husband is
dead or alive, can't say"
When Stella opened her eyes again
it was nearly night. She knew no one
about the bed, but talked to Clarence
and Freddy and sister Belle. She was
going to help her husband now. She
could earn money by teaching music
or painting, cor might have a few
pupils in dancing" she added. "But
forgive me for striking" and her
arms were put up as il TO clasp some.
thing, when she dozed again.
Late that evening Clhrance came in
sight OF home. Contrary to Mrs. VIII
sons conjecture, he came by differ
ent route. He had thought to tele-
graph, but "Stella won't worry" he
said, '.if am late" The light faded
from his eyes and his face turned
ghastly white when he looked into the
rooms.
Both gomez" he groaned, walking
from the bed to the couch.
"No, no." Mrs Wilson said comfort
ingly. "Baby's better, and your wife
will come cut Of this. All she needs
is good nursing, and that she will
have" turning aside her head and
drying her eyes with the corner of her
apron.
What could we do if such as she
were not stationed all along the walks
in life?
It was painful to listen to the wild
talk. "If might endure it," Clarence
said so many times. When at last
Stella awoke from the horrible dreams
her husband was bending over her.
Clarence" she said very softly at
first; Clarence" she repeated, put
ting her arms around his neck, ''if
you'll forgive me for striking Freddy
lll kiss you Q SO many timesI'
Foolish fellow! he cried like baby.
Listen, Stella" he said, as soon
as he could command his voice;
"Listen! did get the situation and
you can have everything that you
want, !" touching his lips to cheek and
forehead, "and you are going to have
such pretty house in Brooklyn"
"All ! want is your love-" clasping
him close, land that Freddy get we'll.
I'm ready to be poor mans wifel'