The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-02-12

W. ieople who were engaged to be
married always gave such PLEDGES
ne mould speak to father about il
so that 1T would be all right. If he
was willing would l wear the rinp?n
NO, didn't like rings"
Wouldn't | like a ring that bo
would buy?" w NJ
rate" "'"iy
During his stay, which was protract-
ca 10 months instead of weeks, he
slrove IN every way to change nv de-
.erlhlhatlon about the engagement
ring as he termed it. l was inexorn-
Die. A ring | would not wear. Not
even when he made ready for his de.
parture, and told ME that in a few
weeks he should be thousands OF
miles away from me, nor when he
piled up before me pictures that he
hao dfawn at his leisure, during the
lohs summer hours that hung heavily
upon his hands, would l revoke my
decision. would take the finely ex-
ecuted drawings, and prettiIy framed
portrait OF himself, but | would have
no rings.
AT last he went away from us. /
silail never forget the morning, or how
cold, dull, and cheerless it seemed to
me. How dreary and desolate every
ihlng looked because he was going
away. 1t was no everyday grief that
poIe down on my young heart, no
childish promise that assured him, as
he kissed my %quivering lips, that |
would never forget him, and that /
would always be his little Mrs.
Haynes.
"WouldI write to him and sign that
name?"
eyes, | would"
81 was q good girl, then, and he
would eve forget me. Good-by!."
"Good-by." Myvoice trembled and
tluttered %uponthe word. Inmy short
life they We're the hardest / had found
to speak.
During the next two years no lady
love could have been more faithful to
her absent knight thanI was to Frank
Haynes. The brightest moments of
my life circled about the reception OF
his letters, the greatest Joy of life was
III answerincthem. Amongmy school
mates had no childish love,no juven-
lies to walt upoi Inc to sleigh-rides
and parties that the children in the
neighborhood delighted in. Ii l could
not go and come alone 1would remain
at home, whatever might be the in
ducements offered to tempt me from
my answering course. / was little
Mrs. Haynes, and little Mrs. Haynes
| was bent upon remaining.
But while | was in the very midst of
my heroic devotion q terrible rumor
reached my ears, a rumor that Frank
Haynes, my self-appointed lord and
master, was engaged to a young and
beautiful lady in the city. 1t was a
dreadful blow to my precocious hopes
and plans, though for a long while ]
battled against crediting the report.
Hadn't Frank told me that he would
never look about for a wife? That I
was the only little lady who should
bear his name? Didn't he write me
regularly every fortnight, commencing
his letters Dear little Mrs. Haynes"
and telling me to be faithful to him?
And-and-would he do this ii he was
engaged? No, not a bit of it. Some
ore had maliciously lied about him,
had manufactured the story 'front.' their
own wicked Imagination. | wouldnot
belilve it, though the whole world
stood up before me and testified to it's
truth.
AS ii 20 reward me for my faith, and
set my p%reiudiced little mindt to rights,
the next coach sat Frank down at our
door. He thought he must come and
see his little wife once more, he said, as
| went timidly forward to meet him,
though he thought it very bad taste
in me to grow at such n rapid rate.
He was afraid I'd grow out OF my
engagement; he should have to put
a loaf of hot bread on my head
to keep me within bounds. We
had been engaged two years; l was 10
years old, and a head taller than l
was at 10. He was going to Europe
to stay three or four years; what
would l be when he returned? He did
not dare to think. He believed l
would be as tall as he by that time.
Wouldn't II
81 hoped So" l answered, tartly,
thinking the while Of the story of his
engagement.
"Whew! You are taking on the airs
OF a fine young lady already, my little
Phebe." he answered, laughing hearth
ly. You wouldn't give me one of
your brown cu1ls to-day, if my heart
should break for it, would your"
"No, | have none to spare"
"Not one?"
"Why?"
"Cause--"
"Cause WHAT"
Because she has heard strange re-
ports of you, Frank" broke in my
mother, mischievously. "She hasn't
any idea ofletting you rob her OF her
curls while she doubts your sincere al
legiance to her. She is alady ofspirit,
you see."
"On my faith, she isl" he exclaimed,
gayly, fixing his blue eyes upon my
face. "And | trow I'm in love with
her for it. Never mind reports, my
little lady"
/ answered only by a curl ofmy lips,
while he reached out his handle draw
to a seat upon his knee.
"No, l w~on'tsit there!"I cried, push
ing away his hand, while the tears,
which had been crowding their way
into my eyes, gave sudden dash down
my burning cheeks. Illneversit there
again, never!'
"My dear little Phebel"
There was a real pathos in his rich,
manly voice, aquick, penetrating, sur
prised look in his clear, blue eyes, as
he uttered these words, followed by a