The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-01-22
hat" said Harry, with something Q

u gasp.
"Brt we would said Nettia de-
cidedly, They all do
IN celebrate N wedding day by
! subscribing five thousand to a hospi-
tai and founding u public library"
! the young man declared.
But Nettie onlyfrowned.
"I'm to conclude, then,'Halry went
on, musingly, that it's because I've
too much money, sapposing make
it ali over to you. Then I'll be a
pauper and it will be a charity in you
to marry me-"
Nettie regarded him sharply. She
was not quite sur as to whether or
not he were making light OF the sub
ject.
"Iours is a view OF the subject
which l had never considered"
Harry continued, with much gravity,
''1t would be wrong, then, for IL mill
ionaire-with n fortune equal to twice
yours and mine together-to marry at
all?"
Nettie turned to the door. She was
no longer in doubt as to whether he
were making fun OF her; and she
stepped past him frigidly.
"Don't go." said the young man,
with repentant fervor.
81 shall not remain here said Net
tie, severely, "to listen to Jokes upon
q serious subject-a subject, moreover,
upon which my mind is fully made
up.'
She swept through the door and up
the stairs. The young man stood for
4, p,op,a,,t ct n,.,,,n :, fthr l,,, l,a1,,1,ypl,.
but ended by going back to his din
ner.
1--WE seen him in the parlor.' Nettic
announced, when her cousin joined
her in their a little later, '.'and |
don't think he'll trouble me again"
Alice took the dish of "frozen pud-
ding" fromthe waiter who had follow
ed her, and passed it in resigned 81.
lence.
1--WE brought you some cream"
she said, ''but you don't deserve it.
Such a dear fel!ow,-almost rs nice MS
Dwight. ] can't understand it with
all your ridiculous explanations.
Money. Why, I'm sure Inevershould
have refused Dwight on account OF
his money; | think it IN additional
advantage. OF courseyou wont con
less it; but you've got your queer no
tlons out of some absurd novel or
other, Nettie Avery | haven't the
slightest patience With you"
You don't understand" said Net
tie, regarding her cousin with an ex-
preston such MS John Rogers might
have worn at the stake.
"iudeed do not?" said Alice, EN-
phatically.
Nettie's prophesy proved true. Mr..
Miller did not trouble her again. He
bowed to her with great p%oliteness
three times Il day across a dozen in
tervenins tables, but he did not again
send up his card, nor in any way at
tempt another interview.
'Do reconsider it Nettie,' Alice i'm
plored, when this had gone on forfour
days. Papa is talking OF taking us
on to Boston for Il month or so.
This is your last chance"
"Chancel' echoed Nettie, indignant
ly-"chancc! Chance to lose all my
principles, all my independence; to
sink into " cold-hearted monster, a
selfish, purse-proud creature, a mere
lay figure lor fine clothes?'
THAT would be dreadful Alice re-
sponded, with a wicked glance at Net
ties charming toilet-'shocking,'
"Iou will understand said
Nettie, with f%orbearing meekness.
poor Harry said Alice, compass
sionately. s'Td marry him myself il
Dwight weren't on the point OF drag
cling medown to the dreadful level you
mention. Only it isn't me he cares
for
The next day was Wednesday, and
Alice, returning from a solitary walk,
tlourished two matinee tickets in her
cousins face.
''\Ve've only time to lunch and get
ready" she said.
They had hardly time for that, for
when they took their seats at the the
alter, the first act was well under way.
1t was u light comedy-a combina-
ton OF catchingsongs and mildhumor.
Nettie was not deeply attentive.
She folded her play bill into compli-
Gated shapes, and regarded the aero
battle hero ahsent-mindedly
Perhaps it was this distraction
that caused her, during the mtermis-
sion, while Alice was industriously
studying the synopsis of the second
act, to listen more intently to the
conversation of two gentlemen di-
rectly behind her, or perhaps it was
the word miller" which she caught.
"Young Miller, you known the
iron business" the speaker contin-
ued. "He's lost every cent he had;
no small amount, either. Bad Job"
Nettie felt her heart humping.
"Ioung Miller, and in the iron bust,
ness." Harry vas in the iron bust
ness-it WAS Harry they were talking
about.
A sudden rush OF pity and commits
took the place o. the determined in
difference with which she had hither-
to regarded the young man.
He a in trouble. She felt a strong
impulse to to him, and sympathize,
condole-she hardly knew what.
But she obeycd the impulse, as she
was wont todo. She tossed her opera
glass into its red plush bag.
"Tm going" she said to he. cousin.
"No, no, you needn't come; I'm per
fectly we'll"
And she whisked up the aisle before
Alice could demonstrate.
At the entrance of the hotel she was
seized with a nervous indecision.
What should shedo? Should she send
aboy to summon him? or write him a
note? Or
That point was settled by the APP,
pearance ofMr. Miller himself, button
ing his pale-hued fall overcoat as he
stepped briskly into the street.
He bowed pleasantly, and looked
considerably %astonished as Nettie
placed an impetuous hand IN his arm
and turned him back.
II am so sorry for you, Mr.. Miller