The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1897-06-12

ney's motive. HIS his cruelty driven you
away from him?' she asked.
"lf he had been cruel to me- Sydney an.
wered, 'do yon think l should have come
here to complain of 1t to you? Do me the
justice to believe that l am not capable of
such self-degradation as that. l have moth
ing TO complain Of"
And yet you have left him"
He has been all that is kind and consider
ate; he has done everything that a man in
his unhappy position could do to set my
mind ut ease. And yet l have left him. Oh,
l claim no merit for my repentance, bitterly
as l feel it,! might not have had the cour-
age to leave him-if he had loved me as he
once loved YOU
Miss Westerlield! You force me to tell
you that you are the last person living who
ought to atlude to my married life"
You may. perhaps pardon the allusion,
madam. Wasss you lave heard what | have
still to say. ! owe it to Mr.. Herbert Linlcy,
II not to you, TO confess that his life with me
has not been a life of happiness. He has
tried, compassionately tried, TO keep his Sc
cret sorrow from discovery,and lie has failed.
| had long suspected the truth, but / only
saw it in his face when he found the book
you left behind you ut the hotel. Your I'M
age has, from first to last, been the one living
image in his guilty heart. | am the miser-
able victim of a mans passing fancy. You
have been (you are StilD the one object OF a
husbands love. Ask your w heart if the
woman lives who could say what l have just
said, unless it was true!'
GATHERINGS head sank on her bosom; her
helpless hands lay trembling on her lap.
O~verpoHeIed by the confession which she
had just heard-a confession which had fol
lowed closely OF the thoughts inspired by
the appearance of the child-her agitation
was beyond control; her mind was unequal
to the effort of decision. The woman WHO
had been wronged-who had the right to
Judge for herself and to speak for herself
was the silent W0man of the two!
1t WAS not quite dark yet. Sydney could
see as well us hear.
For the first time since the beginning OF
the interview she allowed the impulse of the
moment to lead her aStray. In her eager
ness TO complete the act of atonement she
failed to appreciate the severity of the strug.
gle that was passing Ill GATHERINGS mind
She alluded again to Herbert Linlcy, and
she spoke too soon.
will you let him ask your pardon"' she
said. ale expects no more"
GATHERINGS spirit was aroused in an in
slant. He expects too much " she answer
ed, sternly.
Sydney saw her mistake, and tried too late
to set it right.
ut is my misfortune if have taken a lib
erty," she pleaded; pray don't treat me as
if it was my fault. | dare not ask you tt
alter your opinion
DO you dare look the truth in the face?'
Catherine i%nterposed. DO You remember
what sacred ties that man has broken? wha1
memories he has p~rofanedP what years OF
faithful love he has cast from him' Must
tell you how he poisoned his wife's mine
with doubts of his truth and despair of his
honor, when he baSely deserted her? Yol
talk of your repentance. Is there no sym
pathy for Me in your repentance"
Sydney silently submitted to reproach, 81
lentiy endured tie shame that finds no ex
cuse for itself.
Catherine looked at her, and relentcd. Th,
noble nature which could stoop to anger, blu
never sink to the lower depths of malice an,
persecution, restrained itself and mad,
amends. II say it i'll no unkindness to you,
she resumed. But when you ask me to fol
give, consider what you ask me to forget. |
viii only distress us both if We remain longe
together" she continued, rising as she spoke
perhaps you will believe that mean wei
when | ask if there is anything can do TO
you?"
"Nothing.."
All the desolation of the lost woman toll
its terrible tale in that one word. Invited t,
rest herself in the hotel, she asked leave 1.
remain where she was; the mere effort o
rising was too much for her now. Catherln
said the parting words kindly. II believe il
your good Intentions; | believe in your re
pentance."
believe in my punishment!' After tina
reply no more was said.
Behind the trees that closed the view q
the farther extremity of the lawn, the moo
was rising. AS the two women lost sight @
each other, the new light, pure and beaut
fui, began to dawn over the garden.