The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1892-05-13

old man; your life in hospital-evcrything
Do you hate me all the more because know
all tilisp"
Hate you-no!' There is studied CON
tempt in the curl of her lip. s'Hatred is
strong sentiment; what feel for you is only
Indifference"
She goes back to her former position in the
window, as though to terminate the inter
view. But he, having '.cast his all upon the
die, makes one more effort for dear life. He
follows her there.
Even the worst criminals get fair hear.
ing, )" he says. Let me plead my cause"
NO. twould be waste of time"
AT least tell me of what stand accused.'
Listen, thcn!" eXclaims she, turning to
him with flashing eyes. when unkind Fate
sent you to that hospital q year and half
ago, and you saw me there day after day, q
mere nurse, and-as you believed unknown
and obscure, you dcigned to fancy yourself
III love with me. Your momentary infatua-
tion went even SO far that as the hour ap-
preached that was TO put an end forever to
our intercourse with each other, driven by
some pucrllc impulse you deemed it even
possible to declare your love, and offer me
your name. But when 1t came to the point,
you qndiled; you drew back your half-utter-
ed words; you shrank from allying yourself
viii, one beneath, you. MY feelings were as
nothing to you. Knowing myself scorned,
rejected, without being afforded so much as
the poor qualification of being able to refuse
you, | left the room, hoping, praying 1
mightnev see your face again. Do you
think" with a painful sob, II shall ever for
give all that?"
"lear me.
" will not. IF your life, and heart and
title were all at my feet new, l."
"They are mt your feet"
s'Then reject then," returns she with
yehemence.
"As you will. But ut least You shall listen
to what have to say i'll my Defense" says
Dare with dignity. "Thatmorning of which
You speak-my last in the hospital-I truly
meant, as you say, TO tell you of my love-"
"Meantw And then you hestated."
81 did" says Dare simply. "My name and
the honor of my house is dear to me. Is 1t a
crime beyond forgiveness that should have
paused before Offering that name and honor
| to II woman who, though the most beautiful
and lovabie in tho world, was still--un-
| knownT'
"Why should You seek to excuse YOURSELF"
interrupts Miss Monteith haughtily;"1 know
all that"
"TEere is, however, one thing that you do
not know. You saw that did battle with
! myself that morning, but you did not wait
| the termination of ii. Love and duty fought
Il hard fight, but when it was over, you-that
ic 1,pJ tJ,n, .tnt, 7 rnisn
! head again to tell you ALTO beScccli you to
be my wife, but You were gone. Later on l
searched for yo,, everywhere; advertised,
all tono purpose. For eighteen months
! sought for you-in vain."
Her face is turned away from him now,
but faint sound, that is either sigh or a
protest, escapes her
| about all this you must believe me or
not, as You will, says Dare quietly. "I-have
| only my simple word to give you, but it is at
least a word that has never yet been dishml-
ored. Will you not say something to me?'
"All have to say has been said long ago.
| I'cannot forgive yom." says Miss Monteith,
but as she says it she bursts into tears.
II will not accept such words from your
| lips" exclaims Dare, with deep agitation.
| And then all in a moment his arms are round
| her and his cheek pressed to hers
Beloved he says, ''havc pity on me!
| Just think of it You who lave q name as
mine, can you not understand the struggle l
| endureds"
II can,' murmurcd she sadly; "and yes,
honor you for it. But" Here her voice
| fails "Oh, if you could only know what |
| suffered" she says, sobbing bitterly.
Il do know it. 1t was jus: half what I
suffered, returns he, gravely. 30 darling,
put an end to my misery noiU-here! Ofthe
two am the more TO be piticd, because if
! you still prove unkind my unhappincss will
.lst forever. Eva, speak to me-"
/ Evelyn" corrects she, softly.
/ "Ah, OF course. But yOll must remember
bow long you have been Eva to me. Wfat
an eternity lies in that year and half! The
! very length of my wretchedness should buy
my pardon"
You are a special plcadcr, whispers she;
and then she makes him present of a little
arch smile, and tender glance from under
her drenched lashes.
Il s'rcll me you love me- persists lie.
~ cannot-yet. There is first some
thing
4 "Nothing that shall separate us" declares
{, he stoutly.
"-There may be. Who-who was that 'Alys'
you were always rsving about during that
dreadful time when you We're ill?'
/ "Alys! My sister, of course" says he
triumrhantly Had a letter from her only
1 Yesterday. She has been in India with her
husband for the past four years, or probably
you would have seen her at the hospital dur
ing that lucky time when l was i'll. Now,
what have you got to say9" He is fast wax
ing into the widest spirits.
"Nothing," returns she demurely; $50 now
/ let us go back to the Others"
1 She makes movement as thoughto go to
the door, but he seizcs her. y.
4 "Oh, yes, there is somethng" he, says.
"and you sha'n't go without confcssing it
! Now thcn-you will marry mcP"
"Ics." O.==
"Soon?'
"Ye--cs."
"And you are sure you love me?"
'As sure as sure Cali be!' says Miss Mon
teith socmnly, With shameless disregard
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