The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1893-05-20

who loved me and sympathized with
! me.
Lawrence (quickly)-The only per.
sonP Don't say SO. Madge. I-(with
meaning) = there are q great many
people who would do anything 10,
you.
Mrs. Vivian-Anythinx in reason,
Smiling sadly.) But it's only one
husband-one's lover, like dear Leslie,
who will do unreasonable things fol
me. All! don't you understand; It isn't
the same.
Lawrence-Yes, I understand. You
loved him.
Mrs. Vivian-He loved ME. You
know how he loved me. Lawrence,
you We're with him when he died-he
gave you messages for me, did he not?
You have come to tell me-to describe
it all. You were his best friend--yo,,
knew all about him, you knew why he
went abroad SO suddenly did not; but
! always made a point of not plaguing
dear Leslie with questions.
Lawrence (hesitatlng)-He went to
Paris-on business.
Mrs. Vivian-0f course, and I never
could take in business details. Leslie
said, and I should only have shackled
him. So was good and stayed at
home. But il had known that he
would never have come back I would
have made him take me. l should not
have been in his way much, should I?
Lawrenco-A woman is ALWAYS rather
. tie on a mani
Mrs. Vivian-Ah, but not n mans
wife. And when he died, when his
horse SHE'D in the Bots and threw him
and he was taken to that inn O spoke
OF, l thought II SO unkind Of YOU not to
wire to me.
Lawrence-Dear, you could have
done no good (shuddering). 1t was no
place for you.
Mrs. Vivian-Her husbands death
bed not his wife's place! All, Law
renee. I would have given ANYTHING to
hear my name on his lips at the last.
He did call for me, did he not7 Tell
me-tell ne-you arc 30 grudging. 1
have 70 pull things out Of you.
Lawrence-Hc did not say much. He
was stunned at first. of course, and
then later-she would not let him see
any one-not even me.
Mrs. Vivian-She?
Lawrence-The-the nurse-a-we
got one. 1t was necessary.
| Mrs. Vivian-Yes; Of course,AI am
glad he had every comfort; but 20 on,
tell me things!
Lawrsnce-My dear!
Mrs. Vivian-And you said in your
letter that you were bringing me
papers OF his-all his belongings. Oh,
Lawrence, II you had ever loved any
one very dearly, you would understand
how my eyes ache for a sight Of his
writing!
Lawrence-loved any one very dear
~! No, l am q bachelor. /.
Madge, dear, I don't think l said there
was anything in his handwriting ex-
actly. 1t is just what was found in
his pocket-letters received by him,
about business chiefly, / think. 1
thought you ought to see them.
Mrs. Vivian (eagerly)-Oh,giv them
to me.
Lawrence-Here. Handing her .
small portfolio. She opened it hastily
and the papers fall out.) just glance
over them. will you?
Mrs. Vivian = Dear Leslie! He
touched them, at any rate becomes alb.
sorbed).,
!, The ! chila (s]nddenlyi having picked
.s
Mrs. Vivian-can you, dearest? Yes,
Leslie touched
The Child ~(reading from the ~!o.ter)
My W darling Stella"-
Lawrence (hastily)-Give it to me,
child. (Aside.) Good heavens! I
thought had taken hat one out.
Mrs. Vivian very pale)-No, give IL
to your mother, dear. ITO L~awrence.)
1t is intended for me
Lawrence-For you2
Mrs. Vivian (paler still)-He often
called me Stella"
Lawrence-Did he? l never heard
Yes, now l remember.
Mrs. vivian-A pretty pet name, isn't
i2 Ito the child.) Go, dear, l am
busy. Lawrence opens the door and
lets out the child.)
Mrs. Vivian (aside)-"My own dar-
ling Stella" Stella. Stella Grey! All,
know. But I won't read
1t. Why shouldI? Neither shall she,
Burns the letter.