The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-09-17

down Hfteen mlnutes-Ater, Hester IN
modest gray costume, and Agnes in
white tarlatan and. fluttering blue rib
bons. "How do look, Hetty?" She
placed herself before her sister, just as
there came rap at the door. Think
ing it was the milkman, Agnes stepped
quickly into the hall and opened the
door-not to the milkman, but to
tall, stylish gentleman, who doffed his
seal-skin cap at the fair vision.
'Is Miss Hester Grey withiEP"
"Carl! oh, Carl ~ Hester rushed
from the parlor, as pale as death.
'Yes, it is Carl, Hester, my dear
Hester"
He folded her In his arms and kissed
her, and then turned to Agnes.
This is my sister, Carl. This is
little Agnes"
1--WE are very we'll acquainted, Miss
Agnes, although we never met be-
fore"
A vivid blush fitted over her perfect
face as she gave him small white
hand and smiling welcome, then ush-
cred him into the parlor. Hester, like a
withered leaf between two brilliant
flowers, knew she had never been so
happy before.
The following weeks were passed
very pleasantly. Carl being at a hotel
near by saw them every day. Sunny
days and bright moonlight nights had
followed in unbroken succession since
his arrival, and it was now midsum-
mer. There were morning rides and
evening walks, until-.it came about SO
gradually, and Hester was the last to
perceive it. True, she had noticed
slight change in Carl, but she was too
happy and contented to give it mo-
ment's thought. She had noticed, too.
strange tluctuation in het sisters
manner, she being at times very gay,
and at other times quiet and moody.
Yet her trusting, loving heart knew
no change until brought face to face
with the awful truth. 1t was a calm,
bright moonlight evening, the strange,
almost oppressive silence, broken only
by the gentle swish-swash of the waves
on the shore, that Hester strolled down
the garden path under the shadow of
the trees. She had seen Agnes leave
the house few moments before, and
was going to join her on tho beach.
She did not find her, however, as she
expected, and was about to call, when
she was suddenly startled and rooted
to the ground by strong, passionate
voice close beside her. She instructive
ly shrank farther back in the shadow;
and, turning her startled eyes in the
direction from whence it came, she
saw them standing-Carl and Agnes
with the moonlight full upon them.
He held her hand and gazed eagerly
down into her white face.
"Aenes, Agnes! you will not say
that / love YOU so dearly only to be
Knocked and refused. How could l be
true to my poor Hester after knowing
you?'
A low, thrilling voice answered in
tone that made even that forI6rn wom-
ans heart throb.
God only knows how we'll l love
you! But for principles sake-for
Hester's sake, can never, never, mar
ry you. But l do love you so dearly!"
''Then nothing shall stand be-
tween-"
She heard no more, but staggered
like a drunken person back to the
dumb. suffering piece of humanity.
1t was thus they found her fifteen
minutes later. Agnes threw herself
upon her knees beside her.
chester. what is the matter; what
shall do? You are i'll y
Hester staggered to her feet, and
sank wearily into chair.
II am not i'll. l was down by the
beach while you and Carl were-talk-
ing"
She said this slowly and with diff
Guilty, placing her hand at her side, as
if to soothe her hearts dull pain.
Agnes threw herself at her feet and
burst into a storm of tears.
Chester, YOU will not hate me: will
never, never, marry him! / will
never stand in your way. I will 90
away"
Hester placed one hand on the girls
head.
.sNo. Won will not 90 away. there is
no need of it.'' She turned her large.
woeful ewes upon Carl Latrobe.
II promised her diving mother that |
would strive to make her life hapny.
and made God to Judge between us.
God shall Judge between us to-day. |
perform nv last duty-I give her to
YOU. 1t seems hard that He has called
me to make this sacrifice. but He
knows best.''
He jumped to his feet and would
have spoken, but she had left the
room,
Preparations for the wedding were
soon being made, and the day appoint.
ed for the great event. Hester sewed
and fitted with her own hands her sis
Atcr's wedding dress, and superintend-
ed everything.
Then came the wedding, sad and
solemn; not because of the dark. over
cast sky and drizzling rain. but be.
cause Of the presence of that white
/