The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1888-09-21
HIS INNOCENCE PROVED.

Tho girl was leaning against the
window, her eyes fixed on tho beauti-
full scene that lay before her, but at
the sound of her fathers voice she
turned her head towards him, her eyes
meeting his.
''ldelle," he said.
''Yes, papa?" she said, but her voice
was questioning.
Can you give your answer to-day,
Idelle? l have waited patiently; your
lover has been patience itself, but we
want your answer now"
MY lover!' the girl repeated.
king Emerson is not that. father"
..Hc is your lover-at least he loves
you. The question is, Win you marry
King Emerson or not?h
t'You give me q choice" with q faint
smile; ''then i will not. Oh, father!"
with n swift break of passion, II can
not marry him; l do not love him, and
l do love-"
"Do not dare to repeat that. Idclle
Meredith, in my presence again! Ihave
mine of Ralph Greeley, who is neither
and his wife, with my consent, you will
never be-"
He was silent for n moment, and
ldclle let her eyes wander out of the
window again. W
Suddenly her father rosc and won't
to her. and caught her by the arm.
Look here. girl" he said, his face
d%arkening, Il have fooled long enough
with you. You will marry King EN-
crson."
81 have promised my love to Ralph
Greeley"
Tho clasp on her arm ti%ghtcned.
II tell you," her father said, that
Ralph Greeley is q rascal. Ask Esther
Haven has he q right to marry you"
II will not believe that story" Idelle
said, though her face grew palci 'he
is the soul of honor"
Her father laughed.
Girl, l saw them together" he
said. II saw her pleading with him.
Everyone links their names together,
and insinuates she ought to be his
Wife"
Idelle's face grew still paler.
eff l. know that We're true she
said quietly, ..my heart would change
at leastI would turn from him, and
Marry King Emersong" her father
intcrposed.
"And marry King Emerson" she
said.
81 will hold you to that promise,
Idelle,n her father said; mo Meredith
ever broke his word, whatever their
other failings."
The smile on the girls face wavered.
All, if she wcro too sure of her lover
innocence,
u spoke thouglltlessly." sho said.
'but if Ralph Greeley is what youhave
limited, my careless words will hold
good"
Il am satisfied" her father said
quietly.
A little later 1dellc left the house
and wandered down by q sunny dell,
her thoughts filled with her fathers
words rs well rs her own.
sit was 4 foolish speech of mine,'i
she said: '.even if Ralph had been un.
worthy, that would be no reason why
l should marry King Emerson, whom
almost shrink from, without really
knowing why"
At this instant q tall, tinc-lookine
mar crossed the meadow-a man dis.
lluS ulSilCu lpONlIg sS VIGIL as llIllk
some. 1t WAS King Emerson going Il
Meredith Grange, where in \ few min
utes he would hear Idelle's decision
from her father.
King Emerson and Ralph Greeley
were cousins, but King was the mastel
of broad lands and sunny wales, while
Ralph was little more than penniless
but Idelle-well, Idelle loved him.
He was well worthy, as far rs out
ward appearances went, of any wo
mans love, and Idelle refused to be
lieve that otherwise be was not wor
thy SIS well.
AS King Emerson passed, she drew
into the shadow lest he should sec her.
''He is very handsome" she said,
her Dyes following him after he had
passed. almost rs handsome ai
Ralph"
Her lovers face rose before her,
CHEEKY and bright, as it Usually was,
with its frank eyes and pleasant smile,
and q tender glow came into her eyes.
MY darling she murmured, 'sthey
cannot make me believe ill of YOU"
She had said that King Emerson was
almost rs handsome as her lover, bu,
the truth was he was the handsomel
mar of the two, but lacked the magnet,
ic charm of Ralph's CHEEKY face.
Both men were tall and finely fea.
turcd, but Kings face was more regu.
lar in outline, his eyes deeper and
darker, his mustache more silky anG
sweeping, his manner more distin.
guished; but there was y subtle charm
ih tho other that made him the favor
lie OF old and young-a charm in the
honest eyes'and kindly smile that wen
n long way with women in general
and with ldellc Meredith in particular.
1delle walked on till she came to {
grassy nook, and then she sat down Il
rest u few minutes. but she was scarce
ly sitting q moment ere she rose to hel
feet again. for = wonan's voice, low
and pleading, fell on her ears Thu
voice OF Esther Haven.
Scarcely conscious of what she did
1delle peeped through the tangle o
briarwood, and her face grew strangely
:. palc:t Esther's companion WAS he
lover, Ralph Greeley.
Almost bvcathicss she stood, Will,
clear and distinct Esther voice fell OF
her ears.
"For Gods sake, Ralph, give me tn,
eSht!iSAtt. 1Ou WALL uoV uO tllis. VII
Father in Heaven. what shall / dol Oh
Ralph, give it 10 me! ! would sooner
die than facet
Thatwas all Idelle heard, rs, whit,
and trembling, she sank back on he.
seat. All she had heard-bnt enough
Her father had spoken the truth.
She sat there stunned and dazed fol
more thar n quarter of an hour, theI
suddenly the voices fell upon her ca
again-at least, her lovers musica
voice.
You will meet me on the bridge
he said, ''at nine o'clock, and then II
give you my decision"
That night, with her face pale a
death, her sweet voice low and faint
Ideile Meredith gave her consent t,
marry King Emerson.
Il will meetyou on the bridge, ant
give you my decision" Her lover,
words to Esther Haven rang in he
ears. She would be there as we'll
she would plead with him to do Esthe,
justice.
Anew minutes before nine Idelle stol