The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1896-02-15

.termot, and put a stop to outdoor exer-
else ON Louisa's part. Thus absorbed in
one idea, she paid no attention to Mark
Thomas.
Amy and he came to an understanding
very quickly. He heard the news with in
dignation, confessed his love, and declared
himself ready to elope, il needful. at a mo-
ment's notice. But this was an abstract
proposition. When Amy had brought the
cousins together, and Louisa, frightened
almost to death, had given a trembling
consent, practical questions arose. Mark
was not prepared to marry just then. He
had sunk all his means available In u
speculation, absolutely safe, ard sure to
give a large return. But for the
he was penniless.
Some men. Amy thought to herself with
scorn, would lake a girl they loved Just as
She stood, would carry her TO the Regis
trar's offfre, and establish her in their
bachelor lodging without an instant's
question that sue would be happy there
aud somehow Fred's image flashed across
her mind in thinking of such a man. But
young Thomas was methodical, a slave to
responsibility: by that disposition, indeed,
Louisa's confidence had been Won, and
her love followed. The Registrars office
he could accept at a pinch, but the house,
the furniture, the decent surroundings OF
a bourgeois marriage. how could they be
dispensed WITH And Mark had no cash.
Moreover, he could think of nobody who
would lend and an accommodation bill was
no less than anathema. So matters stood
when Fred came home.
Amy knew her charge too well to advise
discrimination. That effort would have
raised embarrassment to such a pitch thut
she might have fallen Ill. Things were
bad enough already. The aunt gave a
vigorous reminder in the morning. with
the result that Louisa seemed almost idi-
otto when they met. Mrs. Anthony de-
clared to Fred that this was her manner
of showing delight, and, under the pecul-
lar circumstances, the explanation was
not actually absurd. Bat it could not be
accepted long, when from day to day the
girl grew paler AND her pretty forehead
creased more deeply with lines of Devil.
dered distress. Uncle and aunt urged
Fred to propose and have done with it at
once; they guaranteed Louisa's joyful con.
sent, and they answered for the rest. Per.
picked and pitiful, amused also, he would
not take that course.
On the third day, when they CHANGED to
be alone, he asked: Are you in my cous.
ms confidence. Miss Dermot!"
Perfectly, Captain Staymer."
"Then you know thatour aunt has men
toned to her q certain wish of the family
with reference to her marriage"
81 know" ....-.
"And what does she Think"
1.-THE family cares little what she thinks:
but l."
Pardon me! Let us drop the family.
What were you going to say about your
selfg'
dropping the family, l say that your
conduct is brutal. You know the poor
child is weak, that she is mentally unable
to resist, that she ~hates-hates the thought
of marrying you, and
pardon me again. 1t is unnecessary to
go further. l have the information !
sought. Now. Miss Dermot, am not
conceited; on the contrary, I always bear
In mind that l have still much to learn,
and much experience to gather. AT the
same time, a man of my age cannot be un.
aware that girls, in general, are rather
pleased than otherwise to be in his com.
pany. Hitherto | have never tested their
regard to the degree which the family has
done toward Understanding the family
just for u moment. / should like to knoW,
if you car tell me, where her objection
lies. 1t is q question purely selfish, but
hot designed to satisfy mere curiosity. ]
wish to learn because the hint may be use.
full at a future time"
II can't tell you. sir. Perhaps Louisa is
unreasonable, but dislike is not governed
by common sense"
"Oh-disikel should be very sorry in.
deed to think that my poor little cousin
entertains such a strong feeling"
Il should not have said that. The word
escaped me. I believe that in her heart
she likes you very much, only-she does
not love you"
''Thank you. Then we return to the
question. Why not?"
Her hasty revolt against an inquiry
which seemed to be dictated by conceit-
though he denied twas checked by the
real feeling of his protest. Amy had an
Inspiration.
perhaps because she loves somebody
else"
".Ah! that Is q comforting explanation!
Since you are i'll Louisa's confidence, l
venture to disregard the perhaps Will
yon tell me all about it?'
The inspiration still upheld her. Amy
told everything.
what a dull young prig! However, ]
know Mark Thomas well enough. He is
honest as daylight, and he'll make little
Loo happy. l am much obliged to you,
Miss Dermot! Leave the rest to me-"
But, Captain Staymer. you will not be-
tray their secret to your aunt?"
Not II 1 know 1t, by JoveH' he an.
swered, laughing. "My excellent rela-
tives are so devoted to my interests that
they would cut me off with a shilling
all around il they knew / was not follow
ing the course they recommend. Be quite
easyl"
Mark had been away, making a last eff.
fort to borrow money without the formal
ity of a bill, against which his supersti
lions protested. He camo back in high
satisfaction, and discussed with immediate
interest the details of his elopement-fol
an elopement was obviously necessary
Louisa had still two years to pass under
Mr.. Anthony's guardianship, and he would
never consent to her marriage with a mere
Thomas. Amy vas very anxious to know
where he had found the cash, but among
this young fellows virtues the ability t.
keep a secret vas conspicuous.
One morning Louisa did not appear al
breakfast, and a letter singularly incoher.
ent gave the reason. Amy had made uI
her mind to watch the effect. but at the
last moment her courage gave way. Sh,
slipped from the room before Mrs. Anth
ony descended.
That lady's rag and stupor cauld no
be repressed before the servants, and Fred
took upon himself to order them away.
tits a dreadful business, of course" h,
said. but let us keep it to ourselves
Confound that impudent young counter
jumperl But I suppose there's nothing W,
can do, uncle. They're married by Thu
time"
"It's Miss Dermot's doing. She shall
leave the house this instant,n cried Mrs
Anthony, pulling the bell handle with sucl
violence that 1t broke. "Inl give her my
mind. I'll tell her what she is, the low
born hussy."
please don't be violent with the girl"
you take her part, Fred. She's beef
practicing her tricks on you, has she
II N,ho~G IJooxan r M ~Nni,1v ona,-b