The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-06-25
How can ! see her die?"
Human hearts are curious things.

None OeaQI None married! None
gomez"
"I1et me see-yes, Rosa Tate mar.
rled soon after you went away. l be-
lieve you loved her once2"
Not /. The only woman Lever
loved died years ago."
"Now who could that be-"
Gin never tell, and you could never
guess. Any more news?"
"Well-yes, perhaps you remember
that drunken fellow, Crabbe-yes, well
he went to Waco, Texas, about eight
years ago. The doctor thought a
change might help his wife, but | heard
she died soon after they got there. He
drank himself to death about a wear
ago, but they say he left considerable
property in spite OF his dissipation.
And he, too. is buried in Waco?"
"Yes."
"Well, good-by. l am of on the
next train"
"What for?"
Important business liz another
city"
Day and night he Travelled till he
reached the city OF Waco.
What business had he there?
Only to find a grave!
20 Christ! forgive me! I alone am
responsible for her death! Valeria, if
had remained near thee, thou
wouldst not. thou shouldst not have
died! Would God l could die and be
with thee?u
a quiet, but travel-worn gentleman
got of the train and accosted the first
hackman he saw.
MY friend, / wish to 60 to the Gene
terry"
"All right, sir" said the surprised
did you ever hear the name Crab
be? Being a hackman perhaps you
know"
EYES, sir, I do remember the name.
He was quite rich, but died q year
ago"
Perhaps you could show me his
grave?"
II can show you his monument, the
finest ! ever saw, and just put up"
is his wife buried near him?"
A queer smile played around cabby's
lips.
Il don't think she is"
Manly dreaded lest his love for the
dead woman should become known.
so briefly commanding, $50 aheadp'
he sprang into the vehicle.
Thecemetery was soon reached. and
the man pointed out the cleaning
monument.
Manly sought it, anxiously scanning
all the names OF the dead as he pass
ed.
He came up to the monument.
But what was this?
A slender, black.robed figure sat OBJ.
posite, regarding him.
With one stride he was by the wom-
nm.
who are your"
She rails ID her eyes.
." am Valera Grabbed"
"Valeria? Oh, it cannot be possible!
lhave mourned you as dead so many
years."
Manly"
eyes, it is I! Come to me now, my
love! Nothing stands between u.s."
She rose. But was this his Valeria?
This hollow.eyed, hollow-cheeked, wan
woman with the gray waves of hair?
Manly, look at me. Iamnolonger
young. At thirty-eight l am as aged
as if ! We're fifty-eight. Can it be shat
you mean that you love me?"
~ do! l do" he cried, sand see!!" he
lifted his hat.
His hair was snow white.
II, too, bear the signs of age and
suffering. At forty-two Hook like an
old man, but in my heart there has
never dwelt but one woman-you on.
ly.'
She sighed YEARLY rs his strong arms
closed about her-his lips sought hers.
ooh, is it true? Am l to be your
wife? Am / to live with you till l
die2"
God willing"
"Itmust be dream! Ihave dreamed
so often of being thus-in your arms,
hearing your voice, seeing the love light
in your eyes!"
"But this is no dream. Come, let
us go away from here. Where do you
live?"
81 have boarded ut a hotel ever
since he died. My son is at school in
Nashville. He is almost aman now
eighteen. ] have kept him in school
at Nashville for i've years. / have
not wished that he should know-iust
how-his father lived-and died!" She
seemed to have great difficulty in ut
terlng the words.
"Valeria, tomorrow sees you my
wife"
$50 soon!" she murmured.
"Is it too soon, love? Remember
the past ten years"
II will do just as you say she an
swered, dutifully.
They reached her hotel.
~ have a private sittingroom," she
informed him.
very well. / will go there
She ordered dinner for two sent to
them.
While dining, he said:
You must go to-day and select a
suitable dress. You shall not come
to me in mourning"
She smiled slowly. 1t was SO sweet
to know that he would soon be her
legal lord and master, as he had long
been in spirit.
He accompanied her to purchase the
suit. At first she demurred.
People may talk"
"Valeria, what are people ous9 We
are all the worlds"
So she submitted.
Two suits, agrey anda warm brown
We're laid out for her inspection.
She preferred the grey.
NO" objected he, .'it is too old!
Take the brown with t~hegavnet collar
and cuffs!"
She laughed outright.
"But l am too old"
He looked at her.
81 will take the brown suit-bon-
net and ALL" she told the clerk meek
ly.
Then she paid the bill. lefe her num-
hp,, nt,s1 fhoyy spopf AIT ,,<~ <I,o ,lo.: