The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1890-01-24

kind of yon, Nj. to favor us.
Where Is my. husbantzMe lear me, those
things Mrs. st. John, l congratulate
YOU ON possessing O husband who does
not bet at ALL"
Erica smiled, but WINGED lnwardly,
and Philip offered to go and find the
missing husband, which offer was ac-
cepted with many thaBks.
So there was a reprieve for Erica, n
she drew a long breath of relief. Any
thing was welcome that STAYED off, il
only for a time, any question or conjec-
ture ON Philips part, and while he was
gone she remained talking and laughing
to Mrs. Deering and her son, who had
just come up, conscious all the while or
the dull fire burning into her heart. She
heard of Fenton's failure and the prob
able causes thereof discussed, and took
her part in the talk and jestS, and
through all she seemed like n round
whom four walls are closing inevitably,
certainly.
Someone touched her habit and she
turned with a start-how everything
startled her that day!
Nat Poynter stood near, and she
backed her horse to his side. in obedi-
ence to a slight sign from hi.n. Fortu-
liately Mrs. Deering vas engaged in an
animated wal of words with Archie
| Proctor, and the crowd had drained Off
| somewhat.
Nat quietly put a paper into her hand
with a sow spoken lie babe me give II
off and the girl glanced at the writing
| and her heart throbbed heavily as she
read the words. BE at the south gate
Tomorrow night at eleven. lie will be
away"
SHE read and crushed the paper in her
hand. putting it in the bosom OF her
habit. Just as Mrs. Deering called cut:
Come, my dear Mrs. st. John, here
are the Two husbands come back to do
their duty in attending us; Algy. go
and bring your sister to the carriage
Erica lifted her eyes, ilnpelled by
some instinct stronger than reason, TO
lock across the carriage at Philip as she
rode up, and for an instant she net his
glance full. and then her own Wnvered
and fell.
She read in that glance a strange a. g.
tioning. an anxious perpleXity. BefoA.
it her very soul died down.
Was all-all she held on earth slipping
for the sake of the vow laid on her?
Almost, in the wild anguish thai
swept over her. she had resolved tt
throw herself on his mercy, to break the
coil of deception that vas drawing llel
away so surely from the shelter OF hi:
love. Almost-for, while she yet pauset
on the threshold Of that confession, Thu
last blow fell, scattering forever sucl
faint hopes of Il nobler life; and when
dazed and hewildered, she could once
more lift her eyes to see, ncught but the
shattered wreck of love and honor lay
at her feet; only life-dull, perpetual
life--remained.
She need have had no fear of question
or conjecture from Philip that night
She was weary and spent, he saw well
by the time they reached home again
and whatever the cause Of her strange
manner, her evident anxiety of late, j
would be criel to put another burden
on her.
1t might be. too. that deep hidden il
his own heart lay the dread of an an
swer that would crumble to dust tn
brighter hope that had come to dwell
with him since he had known her-al
answer that would ono more throw
back all the newborn love and trust h
had cherished as something so sweet
so precious; to learn from her own lip
that her marriage had been a mistake
lhat he could not make ner nappy-lo'
ever mistrustful of his w power I
; attract love, this was the M though
, that Swallowed his heart. Yet he coul
! not live in uncertainty; he could bear
\ had borne-to have every fibre of Low
, that reached out to cling to some objec
l crushed back on himself; but he coul
not, day by day, rest in a FOOLS pars
disc.
: Tomorrow he would know wla
trouble lay upon her.
), Tomorrow, but the Tomorrow
never came