The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1890-02-21
ERICA'S SACRIFICE,
a oUESTlON OE
Forgiveness or Dishonor.

Il know It, .arling. Forget my last
words, they were only wrung from me
by my own dark distrust. You know
my lfe-so barren of love and faith;
only you are true, l know that now.o
He drew her down to the couch and
sat softly smoothing back the bright.
clustering curls from her brow, and af-
ter a long silence she said, shivering q
little:
"yvho told you, Philip"
This evening Poynter came to me
and told me all. He seemed partly ac-
tuated by remorse, more by the fact that
Murray had not kept his word with
him. He had met Murray that day, he
told him with insolence he should have
no more money from him. POINTER
has been ill, and was almost starving
when he found me out"
And Arnold" the girl interrupted,
quickly, catching her breath, ''is he
He will surely be, Erica"
phillip" she said, convulsively. "you
will not follow this to the bitter end?
Spare him, forgive"
His brow grew dark, the firm lips
stern, the old hard look she had seen,
that made her shrink now.
DO you know what you ask, Erica?"
he said. "Spare him-a man doubly
cursed-the man who took from me the
only beings l loved, No, l will neither
spare o forgive - forgiveness here
would indeed be dishonor. Unless this
be all told to the world, your name-my
name-stands dishonored."
He rose up, and began pacing up and
down the room; he was deeply moved.
Ever passionate and impulsfve. even
now for a moment he was touched to
something like anger.
HAS he been to you, here?' he said,
after a moment, scarcely noticing her
dropping form and sorrowful attitude.
Yes" she answered him, her lips
quivering, the tears springing to her
eyes.
HE has dared"
He stopped abruptly and addeds
You know where he is them"
Yes" she said again.
And then he came to her and laid his
hands or her shoulders.
lyon must tell me everything.
Erica" he said, quietly. And she gave
him one swift glance into his face and
recoiled.
NO, no, l cannot. Philip, spare me!
He trusts me-~my oath,"
Your oathl" He set his teeth hard,
crushing down words that would have
been cruel, but when he spoke it was
SUI quietly, but perhaps d little sternly;
Enough has been sacrificed to that,
Erica, 1t is hard to lay this on you,
but there is no help for it; in this you
must obey mel"
She struggled for a moment with her
self. She knew he would not yield, and
that this was the only atonement she
might make. Then she turned, and
went silently to the table and took from
her desk q paper and laid it in his
hand, half hesitated, and then with a
sudden impulsive burst of sorrow,
threw herself on his breast.
"Oh, Philip, Philip! speak kindly to
me; cannot bear your anger now"
His lip quivered and lost all Its stern
ness, the dark eyes softened as he drew
her close In his embrace.
my hearts dearest,' he said, low
and tenderly, forgive mel Nay, I was
cruel to try you so; to you my voice
should be ever soft. All, my poor
child" with what intense bitterness he
spoke, 'it is but the wreck of a life that
l Drlng you now. [ have been weary,
and my heart has been sick with long
ing and suffering, and this suffering
has not passed me by scatheless. TRY
to bear with me, Erica, till your gentle
hand shall lead me to softer moods,
your voice shall soothe this naughty
spiritl"
Dear Philip she looked up for the
FIRST time with something of the old,
sWerA smile, my task-no, my Joy it
shall be to smooth away the rough
places and plant flowers where there
have been thorns-for the thorns were
of my sowing, Philip"
Hush, dear one, not that" he said,
lightly. touching her lips; that shall
be all forgotten He was silent a mo-
ment, and then added, with some effort:
And now, my child, it is hard to part
from you even these few hours, but ne
cessity is laid on me. Tomorrow L
shall take you from here; you will come
to me-"
She shrank a little.
Not till.not till that is over" she
the truth, Philip"
II do not wait for the worlds fiat.
Trust yourself to me, my darling, be at
rest"
II will, Philip, for your sake.n
He folded her in his arms. and kissed
her forehead with a long, lingering kiss.
and then smiled down into the upturned
face SO sad, yet with a dawning bright
ness, the dark eyes so wistful and
tender.
"Only n few hours" he said, still
clasping her hand as though ever then
he could scarcely bear to let her go.
"To-morrow's sun shall light you to
Joy, dear one. You shake your head.
Is there any sorrow for you that / may
not lighten?n
II shall be stronger when I am with
you" she said, turning a little aside,
and he knew that there must DO grief
and suffering yet for her. You UNDER
stand me, PHILIPPE very wistfully.
Yes, my own darling. and for your
sake"-he stopped and added resol1tely
for your sake, I could school myself
sake | may not yield.up what Is dearer
than vengeance, or love. or life."
Once more he bent and kissed her,
and went out softly, but the light of his
presence fingered behind,