The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1896-04-03
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Then he was naval O1nccr, anu ne 9aU
had a romance, which keenly interested
the young people especially.
He had never visited our little town
since he had left it that memorable day
after his unfortunate marriage. Ru-
mors of this and that had reached the
ears of the good folk of Akenside, but
it was from an intimate friend of Bar
bara Lippincott that heard the story.
The communicating West-was
early left alone in the world, and made
his home during holiday times at the
Lippincotts', who were old friends of
his mother. He was at college with
Ned Lippincott, and then was suddenly
seized with the fever to be Il sailor. An
influential friend of his fathers gained
him the appointment; he passed the
requisite examination, and entered the
Naval academy. He had graduated,
and was about to enter upon his new
duties, when his health suddenly failed.
1t was a not uncommon story of a fine
physique and perfect health ruined by
persistent disregard of all hygienic
rules. He came to the only home he
had known for years, as everyone
without desperate struggle. He con-
suited the best physicians, who all
agreed that his case was hopeless. Mrs.
Lippincott having died within the year,
Barbara, the only daughter, his life
long playmate and friend, was his I'M
firing nurse. 1t was his only consola-
ton. She was SO sympathetic, SO ear
nest, SO beautiful. King lay there one
day watching the pretty figure in the
perfectly-ftting mourning dress, which
brought out with startling clearness
the golden hair, deep blue eyes and fair
skin of Barbara Lippincott.
Dab, come here, will you?" he asked.
Something new in his tone made the
girl look at him apprehensivcly as she
obeyed him. He was lying or the low
couch, and she sat on cushion beside
him. The contrast between the strong
man so familiar to her and the one she
saw now made her voice very tender,
rs she asked:
Can do anything for you, King?"
Eyes, you can--marry me" was :he
abrupt reply. II know I'm not much
| TO marry" he went on, in his faint voice.
"Bones, chiefly, but it is the desire of
my heart to have you bear my name
for awhile. and-and-" Here O flush
came into the pale face-''and to have
you take care of all this money l must
leave to some one. 1t will save me a
world of trouble, and you will do far
more good than I ever could or would
do with it. I know you don't love me,
dear, as do you, but thought, per.
haps, you'd consent; it's for such lit
tie while. Why, can hardly remem-
Der the time didn't love you. Bat,
darling" He stopped abruptly. and
barbara. alarmed by his pallor, shocked
and overcome by his unexpected ccn-
fession and request. could only beg him
to give her time.
| That night she lay awake trying to
decide what to do. She longed for her
mother as never before. She loved nc
one else, but tine hero of her dreams
had always been An unknown, fascinat-
ing creature, and King Yves. she knew
30 well. He Wis a dear, good fellow
brave and handsome, but she would al
most as soon think of marrying Ned
as his old nnd intimate friend. I,
wrung her womanly heart to think OF
him so soon to die. What mattered hel
girlish qualms? AS he had said, il
would be such little while, after ali
and it would make the dear fellow hap
pier. But there was that money. q
only he were poor. her motives would
II o..