The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1889-12-13
LOVE WITHOUT HOPE.

Was once and to-day is, My Old-Fashloned
Girl.
Good Housekeeping.
LOVE WITHOUT HOPE.
He might have been very comfortable
sitting there by the window. The sun
light had slipped away. leaving only a
mild reflection. and the sea-breeze came
swelling up with pleasant salty odor.
He might have been very comfortable
but for n thing-an uneasy con-
science. The afternoon light fired the
great diamond of his finger-ring, and
this diverted his thoughts for a moment;
then they flew back to the subject of his
uneasincss. If only he had not come to
this place!
And yet he had vastly enjoyed resting
here on the peaceful coast, in the old
sea captains house. He had enjoyed
the air, the bay, the sailing. and the
fishing with line and reel. How man
splendid fish he had landed! Antoi-
nette, too-ah, his conscience was
troubled again.
He stood up restlessly and looked at
himself in the glass. He was growing
stronger every day; the long illness,
from which he had come here to recu-
perate, was fading from recollection.
His friends-which was to say his
another, and Elinor. and others-would
be delighted at the transformation.
1t was Elinor's last letter that had
brought him to his senses, reminded him
of his obligations-namely, to get away
from this place at once and Join his
mother and his betrothed ut a fashion,
able summer resort.
He took his hat and went down INTO
the piazza. Antoinette was sitting
there, slim and pretty in her white after
noon dress. 1t seemed to him she
flushed at his approach. And he felt
still guiltier.
He sat down on the steps at her feet
and sighed family.
She stopped the motion of her rock
ing-chair and asked:
Whats the mattcrp"
Nothing" he answered; ''only l
feel sad at going away"
"Going away?' she repeated slowly.
Are you going soone than you
thought"
II am afraid l shall have to. I've
heard from my mother. and-and l
really think ! shall have to go to-
morrow"
Antoinctte began rocking again, and
did not speak for some moments. Then
she said quietly:
I'VE shall miss you very much
mother and l."
You have both been very good to
me-"
Perhaps we shall hear from you
sometimes?" she suggested. You won't
forget us QUITE
There was always a plaintive note in
her voice-a voice that one might more
easily become cnamored of than its pos
SCISSOR. For she was not q beauty, this
Antoinette. She was too brown, too
agile. too sparrow-like."
Indeed, shall never forget you," he
answered gravely; "Ihavc written much
about you to my mother and Miss Hast
ings."
miss Hastingspn
"Yes." For the he almost
hated himself. but he was determined to
have it out miss Elinor Hastings.
We are to be married in the autumn"
Then neither spoke. CHANGING up in
her face. he found it passive, perhaps
also a trifle pale. Maybe it was only
his fancy; maybe she did not care for
him. He hoped so. And now he rose
up again, too restless to remain seated.
am going to row to the
Ledge he said.
But Antoinette made no offer to ac-
company him; and SO he turned away
and left her there.
ut is done," he said to himself; "well,
l hope she doesn't mind. Poor little
girl! How fond II might be of her!
One thing is certain-no more boarding
with a widow and young lady daughter.
l only hope she won't think me too con-
temptible, l haven't meant to irt-
only a few soft speeches, a pressure OF
the hand at times-wrong, of course"
The tide was out, and the boat chung
to the sand. He pushed it slowly into
deeper water.
He had been at the Ledge many a
time ere this, but always Antoinetto had
gone with him to recall to him when
they must leave the rocks. To-day no
Aust remember Tor nlmscl1; there was
no p%laintive voice TO remind him:
''The rocks are covered at HIGH
water"
A~ntoinettc had sat looking after him
as he went down the road.
Tho end of it ALL" she said to her.
salf hopelessly. "The end of it ALL"
And when he was out of sight, she
went into the house and up TO Ter own
chamber, where she threw herself down
by the bed and buried her face in her
hands. She did not sob or shed a tear.
~ might have known!" she moancd;
81 might have known! What am |
that he should care for mel: Oh, Rich
ard. Richard!"
Meanwhile, Richard Lester, out upon
the Ledge, could breathe more easily,
since the ''murdcr was out" He fast
ened the rope OF the boat around a rock,
and went a little higher. He sat down
where twas quite dry, and contemplated
his future.
He presumed he should be- happy rs
Elinor's husband. Elinor was called
handsome; she was educated, refined,
accomplished; she dressed well and
moved IN the best society. His mother
worshipped her, Elinor was twenty
three years old-six years his junior.
Poor little Antoinette couldn't be more
than eighteen, he supposed. Poor little
brown bird!
Then his thoughts took a wider
range. He forgot where lie was: he
grew utterly oblivious to fading sunlight
or water rising slowly about the rocks.
The tapping, limpid, lingering water,
musical and incessant.
There was no Antoincttc present to
remind him:
THE rocks are covered at high
water
Antoinettc had been knecling by her
bed for a long, long time-hours, she
thought-when she heard har mother
calling.
Coming directly" she answered, and
went down TO the sitting-room. There
were no tcar-mar,>s on her face-only a
new pal!or.
Where is Mr.. Lesser. Anto:nettc?"
Il don't know, mother. Is it neal
s%nppaE-imep@
YES u Is se'lns int, ! thought