The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-06-11

'Mnat Is thcmatter with you, Lea"
said her mothers sharp voice.
Then her unsparing hand snatched
the paper from Lea's fingers.
at is just as you said walled poor
Lea in her misery. 'lIe does notcare
for me-hc is only t%riiiing."
Mrs. Caxton read the paper and
smiled grim'y.
"Umph! Perhaps you will believe
me another timer"
ooh, what shall l do?"
The sunlight glowed in the pretty
apartment, the bees hung buzzina
over the flowers OF the window-vine,
the busy sounds OF cheerful life came
in at the window; but to Lea it
seemed as If the world had suddenly
stopped.
BY and by she heard DR.. Danton's
voice in the garden, but she only hud,
died closer and stopped her ears with
her hands. He was nothing to her
now.
At sunset her step-mother came to
her with q cup of tea and sat down
by her bed.
Il hope this will be a lesson to you
Lea" she began.
"Oh, | e want to see him again"
she cried. 81 would die if l could!
But l must go while he stays here.
You will be willing, won't your"
"lf you will try and be more docile
in the future, Lea, you may make a
visit to your Uncle Henry's."
"MayI go tomorrow" asked Lea.
eyes. Remember l am being very
indulgent to you, Lea, and hope you
will be grateful"
In the night the girls agony found
relief in atlood oftears. Pale and tired
she knotted up her braids before the
mirror in the morning. II it could be
helped she would not see DR.. Danton
again. Her stepmother could tell him
that she was i'll. When DIR. Danton
had gone for the mail she went down
stairs.
go this morning." said Mrs. Cax-
ton in surprise. "Well, don't care
You can harness old Pharaoh and
drive over, and if you stay more than
a week I'll send you some things"
Down the shady lane, drawing the
top buggy, trotted the old Pharaoh.
Lea was crying. Oh, she was so lonely
and sad! The brightness was knocking.
At the end OF the long lane, she and
DR.. Danton had stopped in their walk
the night before, and u few flowers he
had forgotten were fading upon the
stone wall. Lea remembered low he
had put them down to fold her shaw
more closely about her, and with a
strange contradiction OF feeling she
stopped the horse sprang out Of the
buggy, and took up the limp, still fra.
grant things. Then her lips parted in
a little cry-for DR.. Danton rose from
the grass on the other side of the wall
where he had been sitting.
"What does this mean, LEAF" he
said, composedly. "Why areyourun-
ningaway from me?"
Turning red and pale Lea looked up
into a face so grave, SO gentle, and so
full OF concern for her evident grief
that all restraint vanished.
''To be so kind all summer-to take
care OF me and pet me, and then to
write such letters-oh, did you think
because l was q little country girl |
had no f~eeling?" sobhed Lea.
Lea, my darling! what is all this?"
asked DR.. Danton.
She told him; she showed him the
bits of writing.
at is yours, there is no mistake"
she cried.
"1es, it is mine, Lea. Now listen!
In my summers rest and leisure |
have INDUCED myself in writing a nov
el, which is to be published next ear
This is q scrap OF discarded manu-
script. Child, has this mistake really
grieved you? do you love me? Hove
you dearly. Lea, will you be my
wiie?'
Not long after Mrs. Caxton was as
tonlshed to see DR.. Dantondriving old
Pharaoh into the yard. He sprang
out and assisted Lea to alight.
LEA and | are engaged, and I have
begged her not to leave home Just at
present" he said.
"Umph! then he will marry her,"
said Mrs. Caxton to herself.
And he did.