The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1889-05-03

.Fhc woman crouching on the ground
near the dwelling is the only other
mourncr. Tho task done, he goes
down into the ''dugout" and comes up
again with the little nailea-down box
in his arms. Tenderly he lowers it.;
softly he lets fall upon it each shovel
full Of earth. He is blind with tears
The fresh brown mound sfnoothed
over. he goes w to his wife. She
does not seem to see him. She is look-
ing straight ahead.
"Corry!"
"Don't she says savagely. ave
lost him-and now it! / wish / was
dead!!"
Hurt. irrcsolutc, he stands still 4
moment. Then he goes within and
sits down BY the bed where the baby
has lain. She is gricving still, then,
for the man who failed to come to her
the day set for their wedding! Tilted,
deserted, yes! That was why in pilue
and pride she married him, the ignor-
ant gardener Of her wealthy uncle,
and had gone away with him to Iowa.
They had not prospercd. She held no
communication with those at home.
This year, after their baby came, they
decided to seek fortune farther west.
And now-now the baby was gone
and her new loss had brought back the
| old one.
Hark! Avoice speaks without.
SIS any one i'll herep There was a
request on my slate"
4 cry! Such q queer, wild cry it is
i TN n 4 ~y&tN n.a fl,n .t,,, ,,- ,,,-s
The man in the "dugoutn leaps to his
feet, as does the woman without.
Through the doorway, against the
patch Of sunset sky he eau see her
standing with one arm outilung.
"Willie!' she cries again; ''Willie!'
The doctor from town speaks hoarse-
ly one word only-hcr name. There
is absolute silence for n little while.
Then lie bursts out iicrcely, passion.
atcly:
"Why couldn't you have waited
did you no wrong. When l left you
the week before we were TO have been
married, and went up to the city | got
into trouble. | was no saint. | nevel
pretended | was. There was u drunk
en- quarrel. | shot a man. was un.
known, and gave Il false name. I was
held to wait the result of his injuries
held two months. l couldn't write
you the truth of the affair. My part
in it was too ~disgraceful. l wouldn't
lie. So I was silent till l could tel
all and ask you to forgive me. The
man recovered. l was discharged,
l went straight to Vanceton. heard
you had married some clod-llopping
idiot aud gone away with him."
"I1e is good!' she says slowly.
The other laughs harshly. "And
you love him, of course!'
Co.. she cries in weak, womanisl
fury. "Go!"
"Do you love him, Coram
She is trembling. His brutal insist
ancc forces a reply. She slips dow
by the "dugout" and covers Their,
with her face hidden. "Oh, Willie
Oh, Willic!" The tone says all. Il
is full of love, but love that is only
pathos, passion, despair. He turns
walks slowly away across the prairie
He is mechanically unhitching hi!
horse when a heavy tread comes to
ward him. In the clear silvernes.
preceding twilight two men face eacl
other. One speaks calmly: 81 heart
what you said. Answer me this: /
she were free tomorrow would yor
marry hcr:?'
Quick rs q flash comes the reply
"By Heaven, yes!'
Then Dir. Herbert, gentleman ant
student, drives back to town and JOIN
Hilton goes to the ''dugout'-to hi
wife. She is still in the same place
the same position. He gets her ha
and shawl and carefully puts them o,
her. Then he leaves her awhile ant
harnesses up the horses.
Come, Cory; I'm a-goin' to driv,
you into town. There's goin' to be
storm. seen the clouds to the nortl
tonight. An this place leaks dread
full. You must stay at the hote
awhile, eff We have to sell the team"
Without Il word, stupidity it seems
she obcys him. Through the delicious
June twilight they drive the five mile
into town. Once he speaks. ''kcel
%ti'isl" he says, and gives her the canva
bag containing all their world,
wealth. At the hotel he procures he
Il comfortable bed, a soothing drink
She falls asleep. Once, twice, thrice
he kisses her. Then he goes out
climbs upon his huge wagon, head,
the horses southwark. The storm h
%prophesied is blowing up. Lances o
lightning stab the darkness. Now
and then sounds II faint. distan'
rumble. A soft, strong wind arises
1t flaps the loose canvas of the caravan
On the ribbed roof the first heavy
drops of rain begin to patter. On
Across the state line, over the railroad
track, up the bluff, along the level
right along. 1t is here the 'dugout'
standsP The lightning gives him an
swer.
The night veal on. The storm in
creases in volume. The prairies az,
rain-washed. w~ind-swept. A %tcrrili,
uproar lasts till dawn. Then the tn
multi dies down. Peace comes again up
on the weary world. And the SUI
rises. Its radiance glitters across thu
wet, green grass. Warm grows tn,
air. The hum of insects become
audible. And sweet bird songs ar,
everywhere.
But what are bird songs to one VIII,
sleeps? And surely he is not awake
he who s%tirlcss, silent, drenchcd lies b,
the little grave upon the breast of tn,
prairie. Clutched in his hand is some
thing which Skinned in the sunlight
Come away! Let thrush, and lark
and linnet sing never SO lowly, sins
till their hearts are empty and thci
full throats voiceless, they canno
waken one quiet sleeper 0 chang
the peaceful current of his dreams!-
Aaie ". GearY. IN CNicaao Tribune.