The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1888-12-28
CHAPTER VII. AND LAs1

4plC tClIlDle oTNttl OL Viz luiiCTSl1 WAS
over; from all the countryside the peo-
pie had flockedt to see it; but throughout
the whole service a silence reigned of so
death-like q character that the solemn
words for the burial of the dead were dis
tinctly audible TO those who could press in
no further than the gate.
They were all there, the Squire and the
Mistress first; then Dolly and Culvelton,
with his bandaged arm; several relatives,
and two young officers Of Jaspel's regi-
ment, who had come over from York that
morning and fallenin with the procession
as it left the house.
1t was soon over! The blinds of the
House were drawn up, and once more the
sunlight streamed through the rooms.
Dolly was in her room, alone, the tears
were streaming down her cheeks and
thinking of the past terrible days. She
could not, she thought. make up her mind,
after these horrible events to marry Gull
verton, and her thoughts went out to the
dark, dreary future. How should she
feel that day six months7 Would the
thought OF Culverton fill her with the
passionate regret, the sorrowfnl longing.
the wild desire to cherish and comfort
him that it filed her with now? If it did,
would it not be n thousand times better
that she should be dead and in her grave?
She had determined never to think of
him again but would she be able to hold
her determination. Would the thought of
him haunt her night and day rs it did
nowf
These thoughts pursued her. and yet
the end was always the same. She could
not marry Culvertou. The honor of his
house must not be furnished, no matter
| what her future would be.
Culverton, after the funeral, had gone to
the Towers by Dolly's express wish. She
had told him that her determination not
to marry him was unalterable and he had
left. thinking that n few days reflection,
after her grief had somewhat subsidized,
would find her more amennble to perSua-
sion. and with the result that, the next
day she longed to see him. She was
thinking Of him with sorrowful lip and
brow-of their long love for each other
and of Their parting which she had felt
should be their last. She had sent him
away. and lie would stay away-he was
proud and he now thought her cruel-cold
and cruel-and yet she had sent him
away because she loved him-because it
would have been more bitter than death
to have dragged him down.
She felt now that she would give the
whole work. to see him again. She felt as
snre Of his ~unchanging love for her as of
throb Of her heart, that between them
there yawned an impossible gulf, but she
felt that she should love him all the DAYS
Of her life.
Her mother divining from Dolly's sor-
rowful countenance the next day, that she
regretted her harshness toward Culver
ton sentfor him and shortly afcr luncheon
he arrived while Dolly was still up stairs
in her room.
Mrs. Nugent welcomed him as n son,
and informed him that she felt sure that
Dolly would soon learn to regard him with
her old feelings. Forthe present it would
be a comfort to her and the Squire if lie
could remain with them.
X y y X X y
Jasper dog had stretched himself Mt
full length in n patch of sunlight which
fell through the narrow hall windows on
the Turkey carpet, Willie Dolly's Persian
cat, %cnvious perhaps of the same spot, had
coolly made a bed of the dogs curly coat,
and was slnmbcring peacefully. The Mis-
tress had Just gone up stairs, and the
Squire was in his study alone. Culve1ton
was lying on the wide old-fnshioned couch.
which stood under the great portrait OF
Queen Anne in its massive frame and with
its royal crown above it.
All looked much az usual, only there
was a difference dismal difference
Culverton had never seen Dolly before
dressed in sombre mourning robes, almost
covered with great folds of Grape; and
she came down the wide stairs-wide
enough to have driven n coach md six up
them-step by step. like a person who had
suddenly grown old. She never noticed
the Earl on his couch, but was passing
through the hall, on her way towards the
study, when he called her.
"Oh, you are therc?" she said, with n
start.
"Yes; come here, child. Will you think
nc rude if l lie still am SO awrully
tired7"
.tOh, mol"
'There is plenty of room for you" he
said. moving aside a little that she might
sit also on the broad couch.
II did not mean. Culverton," she began
nervously; but she sat down all the same
"Ihis was to have been u wedding
day." he said dreamily, holding her hand
fast in his. II thought we should have
all been in there nodding towards the
MISUNDERSTANDING speeches by this
time.s
.Yes," WHISPERED Dolly with tears strecsn-
ing down her face.
II wish the Mistress could weep like
that" he went on; sit would relieve her
SO much. Poor mother! You and | must
be very good to them both, Dolly"
II must, and l will" answered Dolly.
"And must not l also2 ! intend to do
my best. l will he n good son to them
Heaven lnows!" lie said steadfastly.
''You will never he their son." cried