The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1898-02-12

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II do not reproach you,n he returned.
II was not worthy Of you, or I should not
have gone to the bad as | did, because ]
was disappointed. But when / came back
to life from that terrible fever, | felt an
other man. l felt / Ind a duty to myself
that forbade this unmanly abandonment,
and l have been stronger ever since. l
was even getting over the painful longing
for you. And now we have met, and l am
worse than ever! And you You seem
sweeter than ever! feel us il I could not
leave you!"
He pushed the chair from him, and came
to stand beside her, his eyes full of love
and sorrow. his plain face beautified blythe
spirit that animated him.
The fire OF heaven seemed to Mona to
have descended on her heart, and filled it
with joy nnspeakable. She let her hands
drop, and, quivering from head to foot. she
almost whispered
"Then do not leave me.n
"Ah, Mona!' said Waring, drawing close
to her, d not tempt me to a renewal OF
suffering! am too desperately in earnest
to be played with; and l dare not hope that
you, who rejected me when I could have
given you a life Of ease, would slare my
wild, uncouth home with me now. Sweet
est, how de l hope!!'
He drew her gently into his arms.
"Take me with you,' said Mona, raising
her eyes to his, and letting him read in
them more than words could say.
MY darling! it is more than I can be-
level Mona, in our short engagement !
do not believe you ever Il me n kiss. If
you will give yourself to me now, put your
| arms round my neck and kiss me of sour
own free will"
There was an %instant's hesitation, and
then her arms stole gently to his neck, and
her lips were pressed to the brown cheek
| he bent to them, but for II second, before
his lips were on hers, clinging tcthem soft.
ly, p~assionately, S ii he drew his souls
life from that sweet mouth.
mo, not yet! | cannot let you go yet.
Tel me, when did you learn to love me"
~ cannot tell, Leslie. l have never
been Indifferent to you sincc-siice | re.
fused to marry you; aud when l saw you,
I soon began to think | should like TO atone
to you"
'.1len it is only pity. perhapsi"
u do not know what it is" said Mona,
with a sigh, as she rested her head against
his shoulder; II only know that you must
not leave me-"
and all this time of delicious tortnre.';
cried Warning, "when I ruled myself with
q rod OF iron lest l should show you the
love that was burning my heart out, you
imposed upon me with iciness of mere
friendship, No nan could have dreamed
that there was any warmth under such IN
exterior"
How did you come to speak to me at
lasty" asked Mona, with n smile.
1T was an inspiration" said Warning. ~
do not know how many kisses you " me-
for the miserable momen l have had
here.'
N more now, dear Leslie" she said.
In a low voice, her cheek growing pale.
her frame trembling, rs he drew her to
him.
Not oneH he whispered, and he releas.
ed her, while his heart beat with the glori-
Gus consciousness that she loved as pas
sionately rs Il did himself. ~ am afraid,
Mona," he resumed, after a delicious sill.
ence, that yonr uncle will not like to let
you come into the wilds with me. But the
place is not really bad; it has been cleared
Tor a considerable time, and
Poor Uncle Sandy" she interrupted.
VI think he would be willing to give you
the best he had; and ! am by no means
sure he considers me that"
Needs must. He will miss you dread.
fully
Then will be the opportunity to sugges,
Mary MS my successor
Exactly. Shall l ask Kenneth to join
me in making Il double demand? You are
the ruling spirit here"
That would be too much. But, pray,
speak to my uncle to-day. lie deserves tc
be told at once"
Dinner was got through somehow
Both Kenneth n Mary instinctlvely felt
that something or other had taken place,
the former had a shrewd idea what.
About a couple of hours after the family
meal, a knock was heard at the door OF
Mona's room, where she had intrenched
herself till the awful explanation with her
uncle had been accomplished.
Your uncle wants to speak to you
Mona" said Warning.
ooh, Leslie! How is hefr
"The glass is at fair weather. Come
alnng.''
Uncle Sandy was looking pale, and wa
sitting unusually upri .ht in his armchair
in the library when Mona, with down-cast
eyes, and the mir of Il culprit, cane in
closely followed by Waring.
"Aweel," he said, in n solemn md some
what tremnlous tone. II have been hearing
what the grandson o. my aud master has
to say. Moo, Mona, my BARN, are yor
willing to tax this mon to be your weddeC
husbands"
II am, uncle" she said, softly and clear
ly.
IF we are, name has q right to withstan
you. would be weel content if We hat
not to gaze sac far ava; and I'll feel YOU
loss sair, but We maun follow the husband
you've choscn."t
Dear uncle" said Mona, the tears hang
ing on her long lashes, sit will gricve me
too, to leave you; you have been a father
to me. and | thank yon.''
She knelt beside him and kissel his THU
hand.
AM n father I'll be to We, my lambie
Mrs. Leslie, my niece, shall lave ter
thoosan' pounds to her tochcr; and it,
glad I'll be that some of my hard eurain'
so to the son of the hoose by which l earn
ed it. But i'll be a lonely mon when "
leave me-
You need not be, unless you choose
You can have Il niece to read to o and
write for you, and take care Of you. Think
Of it, uncle, dear! Make Kenpeth as happy
as-as am
Eyes, uncle-for you must let me cal
you SO. There could not be n better o.
more suitable wife found for Kenneth thai
the one he has found for hlmself!' criet
Warning.
"Awcel, aweel, l will think of It; but
my lad, We maun promise me you'll brin.
Mona back to see me ance mair before
die"
II do promise you, Uncle Sandy; faith
fully promise you.'
The dramatic taste of moderns will ne
permit that minute distribution of forum
to each character which all well consti
tuted readers ought to demand. None o
ours came, however, to any tragic end, no
was Lisle's confirmed bachelorhood YER
detrimental to his h'nriness.
For the satisfaction of that estimabl
1 1~,,k ls-~. IT,