The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1890-07-18
THE RED FLAG.
NJ. e. BRADDoN.


NJ. e. BRADDON.
Author OF "Lady Audley's Secret"
etc. etc etc.
This was her manner of life, as seen by
her sister and her sisters husband. They
puzzled themselves exceedingly rs TO the
nature of that employment which Obliged
her to keep such curious hours. They talk
ed, and wondered, and specialized; but they
did not venture to question her. She had
entreated Rose to forbear; and Rose, who so
fondly loved her, was content to remain i'll
ignorance, seeing that the mourner seemed
more tranquil, more resigned than before
shc began this unknown labor.
Yet they could not refrain from specula-
lions and wonderings between themselves,
the husband and wife, for whom life was
free from all care save this one anxiety
about the widowed girl.
Was her occupation that of a governessp
Had she found two sets of pupils in some
humble circle, where superior accomplish
ments were not demanded In q teacher?
Did she go to one family In this morning, to
another In the evening? This seemed n
natural and likely explanation. But IL it
were so, why had she made a mystery of so
simple a matter?
They could only wait and watch. They
were too high-minded to follow or to play
the spy npou her. But they watched her
face, her bearing, when she was with them
which was but rarely now-and they
waited for the revelation Of her secret.
She would not make her home with them.
That was Rose Durand's worst grief. If she
could have had that beloved mourner beside
her hearth everyday; if she could have seen
her bending over the little ones cradle, be-
guilcd by the sweetness Of his dawning in
telligence; if she had but been allowed to
sootlle and console her sister, Rose would
have been quite happy. She would have
trusted to her own loving arts, and to the
great healer Time, and she would have
looked forward to q day when kahleen's
wounds would be healed.
But Kathleen Rugged her loneliness as If
1t were the one precious thin. left to her.
She would not bctempted from her solitude
In the two quiet rooms upstairs. II am
tired when I come home from my work."
she said one day, when Rose upbraided her
with unkindness in refusing to spend her
leisure hours in the Durand mendsc. ut
would be no rest to me to be with you AID
baby, dear as he is. l want to be quite alone
with my dreams Of the past"
They are not good for you, Kathleen,
those dreams of the past"
20 yes, they are. They are my greatest
comfort. Sometimes, sitting here in the
afternoon sunlight, with q volume of Hugo
or Musset in my lap, l almost believe that
CASTOR is sitting In that chair where you are
now, by my side. l dare not lift my eyes to
look up at him."
why not?"
Because 1 should know then lie was not
there, and the spell would be broken. You
don't know how real day-dreams are to ME"
Too real, Kathleen; such dreams as these
lead to madness"
Let ME be mad, then. l would rather be
mad and see him there, than sane and not
see him. l would welcome madness to-mor-
row il l could believe that he Was still alive
II there need be no lucidinterval in which
i should remember that he was dead"
Kathleen, you brighten me to death!'
Forgive me, dearest" the girl answered
gently. There is no cause for fear. You
how regularly my heart has beaten, ever
do-a purpose In life. Before, l felt rs if l
WIN NulltiClillS III ~ StNSCll, nib IL ltN
night sky. Comets were blazing In thatsky
-shooting-stars darling their light, now
this way, now that; hut there was 10 star
to guide my steps-there was no road across
the waste. Now l feel rs if l were travel
ing OF q straight level road. with my guild
ing-star shining steadily before me; there is
such a difference
You look so white this afternoon. dar-
limo Hava van >yDrl,a1 hnr6ar than uSpal
today?"
Eyes, 1t was harder t~oday-very, very
far" Kathleen answered, with an absent
air.
you had further to go to your employ
ment" faltered Rose, looking at her Won
p pisseS Is 1t not always IN the am
Not always"
THAT is very strange"
Life is strange" answered Kathleen,
''almost as strange as death. o Rose, my
best Of sisters, don't look so troubled abou,
INT. Believe me that all is going well with
Inc. l am doing no harm. / am doing my
duty. And all will come right in the end
This was spoken with a fervor which in
some measure treasured Madame Durand
She had never suspected evil Of her sister.
She knew that pure nature too well fol
doubt to be possible upon this score. Hel
chief fear, her ever-present dread, was fol
the s%oundness of the girls reason, for the
capacity of her mind to stand against the
strain of a great sorrow.
Kathleen would not go to her sisters
rooms, but Rose went to the widows lone
1y home two or three times in every day,
she would not be put off by kathleen's de.
sire for solitude. She went to her the last
thing every night, and knelt and prayed
with her; but Kathleen's lips were dumb
that spirit which had once been fervcnt in
prayer was now yoiceless. The widow knel
beside her sister with bowed head, but there
were some of Roses prayers to which sht
would not even say Amen.
"Why do you not join in the Paternoster
Kath!eenY Rose asked tenderly.
Because | cannot join with all my heart
Forgive us our debts as we forgive on
debtors. I'll said that with my lips m,
heart would be the heart of liar. There
are some debts that cannot be forgiven
some wrongs that must be avenged
Vengeance belongs to God" answered
Rose quietly. "And with Him it is moi
vengeance, but justice"
THAT is all l want" sail, Kathleen
Justice, justice, justicc!'
And then she lifted up her face, which
had been bowed upon her clasped hands un
til now, ard prayed aloud:
20 God, Thou art my help and deliverer
Lord, make no tarrying. The wicked
walk on every side when the vilest men ar,
exalted. AS the fire burneth the wood, AM
rs the flame setteth the mountains on fire
so prosecute them with Thy tempest, snt
make them afraid with Thy storm"
CHAPTER XII.
FOUND.
The days and weeks wore slowly on; Jul,
came and passed, and it was mid-Aug,st
par.s WAS Mt its hottest. 1t mi,-ht I,ovn hoo,