The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1899-12-30

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George she said pleadingly, to;
morrow will he New Year's. There US
something wish yougwould bring me
home tonight for y New Years gift.
VIII you?n His wife chung I him as
she spoke, sbothsarms around his neck.
What iesit??' he asked. His throat
was full OF husks, but his ann
softened. The boy crept to him and
wrapped him tight.
"a new man, George" she said brok-i
enls.
He kissed her, stopped and kissed
the boy and went out without a word.
Halverson walked with uncertain,
hesitating steps eastward in the dim
bystreet to- Clark. Empty cars We're
running southwark. 1t vas 6so'clock.f
The sky was clearing. and the night
promised fair. Along the great ar
terry OF the north side, smooth in its
new dress OF asphalt, the brilliant
electric light shone in farfetching
lanes, a milky way fallen to gross
earth. As the bell of oil %.appronch-
ing train heraldcl its coming he felt
mechanically in his pocket for fare.
There was nothing. Struggling closer,
into his collar, he started riycrward,
walking more briskly now. He was
shivering, although well clad, and
within u block he entered a saloon.
The %baIkecper was alone.
81 guess you'll have to let me have
one on credit till next time, Dick"
snid Halverson, with affected brisk
ness. IFS pretty sharp outside, old
man. Off the shelf, please
The barkeeper looked Mt him cur
ious!y as he poured out a glassful OF
whisky and drank it eagerly
"You look like n ghost, sure
enough. his host commented ms Hal
version set down the glass. what
have you been doing to yourself, my
son?"
A roistering party OF young men
burst through the doorway before
Halverson could answer. He knew
them all, and they greeted him effu-
sively.
"We're out for sport tonight, Geor-
gle, my lad. Come along and see the
old year out. BE a good fellow!"
cried one, Shaping his back with
Jealous energy.
Halvorson laughed. TIN broke to-
night, Charley" he said airilS, as If it
We're a joke he could not but relish.
THAT makes no difference" re-
turned Charley boisterously. eve got
enough for both of us. Just drew a
months pay, you know. Come on"
What did it matter? Since lie was
going TO end it all, was going to make
his escape, was going to shuttle off his
responsibilities this night before ever
the new year dnwned. what did it
matter? One more night, with the
riot of spirits in his shaking pulses. n
last whirl of the town! 1T might
harden his grim resolution. He would
go. and he went.
1t was ten hours later when a por-
ter with bucket. mop and broom.
shook him roughly by the shoulder.
Set mp and get some air. It's New
Year's!" called the white aproned
man behind the bar. "You ain'i dead,
IRE you?"
Halvorson rose with a start, awake.
Recollection had rushed upon him like
an armed man and thrust home. He.
knew what he had to do and grimly
set to do it quickly. Without a word
he went out. He walked fast to Ran.
dolph street and put his face to the.
east. So this vas TIE hour! Well, he
was ready. The water might be cold,
but he would not SILVER long. lie
went on swiftly.
Presently he was aware one paced
behind him with equal step. If he
slackened, the other Jagged. When he
put forth n brisker foot, the other he'd.
to his heel. This annoyed him, but he
did not look around. 81 will shake
him off at the viaduct," he said to him
self.
"Yon are iii haste tonight" the 9th
err called banteringly over his Shout
der why tonight? Why notyester-
day? Why no ten years ago? Why
not tomorrow"
The other drew beside him. Hal
version looked furtively and knew his
companion, though it had been long
since they had spoken. A gloomy
frown clouded his flushed brow.
ut must be tonight. 1t is the end"
he said. as if in apology.
"Ah!n said the other. rs it so? 1t
is you, then, who will leave it all be-
hind. who will flee, who will be the
coward? What of them? What of
her? What of the boy? Must they
bear the brunt alone?"
II cannot help it'll he fnltered. 'sThey
can be no worse off anyway. And it
isn't my fault. It's the cursed luck!"
he ended savagely.
Yes, the cursed luck, the other
answered, echoing his own innermost
thought. Whose cursed luck? Theirs,
not yours. Has she beenlloyal, de-
voted, loving, true, f~orbearing, a wife,
Il mother? And has he called YOU pa
pa, dear, and looked with his deep,
truthful eyes to you as his shield and
his refuge, his s%olace, his God? And.
You, what have YOU done? Have you
poured your patrimony down your
throat? Have you sunk your manhood
at the gaming cloth? Have You paid
love with neglect and cast the joys of
f~atherhood to swine? HIVE you. who
lrave talent and education and once had.
friends, sold Your possessions stick by
stick until your wife pawns her we'd
ding ring. to buy fire and food for her.
haby-and for your
Halyerson hang his head. They
We're on the viaduct now. The other
drew yet closer until he touched him.
A pale light faltered among the stars
which marked the east before them.
They walked on together.
'Pall!" cried the other in a burst of
high scorn. "You sicken me. You are
less courageous than the mere beast,
you with a brain. DO you think you
are nothing? Do you believe by pull
ing the shelter of the lake over your
own miserable head and body you pre-
serve your honor? Why, man, man.,
man! Awake!"
They stood far out upon the long
pier beside the deep water.
Even now" the other cried, with
energy, turning Halverson to him, so
that they looked in each others set
face, 81 sweet faced woman kneels be.
side Your bed and prays. Tears fall
from her eyes upon a little, restless
child. who stirs and snnggles to her,
asking, with shut eyes, is papa home
yet. mamma?,"
80 God!" Halverson burst out in
agony, stretching forth his arms.
The other caught his hands and held