The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1903-04-24
CHAPTER ]

Dick Bartnett, the schoolmaster OF
Exton. cast a parting look at himself
In the cracked mirror over the little
washstaEd, added a few final touches to
! hts toilet, and sighed.
Not much Of a place to leave" as
nished room with a glance. But, still.
I'm sorry to go"
He was a slender young man, with
keen, intellectual face, and carried
himself with a certain dignity, as be-
came one who had been five years the
village schoolmaster. He was only "a,
but looked much older. as the result OF
hard work and study. He did o al
ways intend to remain a simple peda-
gogue.
AS his glance fingered on the faded
hangings, the uncomfortable looking
haircloth furniture, the faded rag car
pet. it rested On a small trunk in the
middle OF the room, and he frowned.
I wonder what can keep the fellow?"
he muttered. He promised me faith
fully he would not disappoint."
Just then a tiruid knock sounded on
the door and presently a man entered,
a rough, ungainly fellow, in a dirty can
vas suit, whose wild hair and beard
made him resemble one of those gro
tesque toys that are sold about the
streets during the holidays.
We'll, here I be-" said the newcomer
In a deep, bass voice.
Very good, JIM. Now, you will take
this trunk to the station, without say
tng#whose it is. Let no one know I am
going. Understand"
Sure"
Here is for your trouble and from
q saender purse the young man passed
over a silver piece, which the other, af-
ter biting, thrust in pocket. Then he
sh%ouldered the trunk. and, with a
Goodnight, guv'nor," went out with
his burden through the door.
Bennett waited until the heard the
mans step on the front porch, then,
with a parting look around the room
that had been his home for five years,
the stairs and into the night.
He made his way rapidly along the
country road. which, without the moon
light to guide him, he could have trav-
ersed safely, he knew it so well. Pass
Ing q few dark houses, he came at last
to the entrance Of an extensive estate,
n paused for a momen before the
great iron gate. 1t seemed to him that
the stone lions bearing shields on the
pillars on each side, of the way We're
grinning at him derisively. IT wonder
If I shall ever see this place again." he
murmured. "Am I acting for the best?
I hope So" Then, as he saw a faint
light still glimmered in the gatekeeper's
little house, he passed rapidly 0 n Fur
Their he found a hole in the tall hedge,
n wrfggling through, entered the
park.
Evidently, 1t was not the first time
that he had found his way into the
grounds in this surreptitious way, for
here, where the old trees interlaced, not
a CLEAN Of moonlight penetrated the
place. Yet he walked or without
/ cf1J ~, h1i, - A1-1,,~L ~ Li111-.a-a zu..
Ing presently to another hedge, scarcely
thfgher tina his shoulder. A silvery
radiance shone over this part Of the
park. Here he paused for a moment to
listen, then STEPPED back again into the
shadows. There was the sound OF
rustling leaves. and then a man ap-
peared in the moonlight.
Dick could only make out that he
was tall and ragged, for his face was in
the shado Of an overhanging bough.
Only for a did the strange
stand there, when he turned and made
off in the direction Of the house, the
lights of which could be seen cleaning
IN the distance.
What can this rufian be doing
here?" muttered the schoolmaster, as
he came out into the path again. "a
poacher, no doubt, after Elison's fish.
Better buy such things thai have a
stocked lake to attract all the wander
ing v%agabonds in the country"
He approached the hedge again,
peered cautiously over, and, catching
sight of something white in the dis
lance, uttered a low whistle. The young
woman, for such the white object was,
running forward, opened a gate in the
hedge near at hand, and came toward
him.
ooh, Dick" she began impulsively
lifting her face to his, what does it
what can it all mean?''
Il will tell you-but not here. Come,
we are far too near the house to talk in
peace" and he drew her away into the
shadows, but still in sight of the moon
lit path.
Finding a fallen tree, he pressed he
to sit down, and then took a seat beside
her.
Now, then, tell me quickly. Don't
you see, I am burning with anxiety? %
she said.
There is little more to tell you than
that I think 1t best to go away. 1t Is
only a question Of time before I should
be sem Your mother has learned OF
our attachment, and she could easily
break it off, she believes"
She little knews me- replied the
girl, firmly. after all, what can she
dog"
We'll, the first step would be to get
your father to discharge me, and that, ]
believe, he contemplates doing, though
he has been friendly to the last. Still
she coulG persuade him. I feel sure OF
it. Then. you see, I would have to &c
anyway"
but what is to become of me-
what am I to do?" almost in tears. She
was little more han a child, barely II
Il don't want Vol to go-I won't have
IT," with a stamp Of the foot.
My dear. l am acting for the best
firmly. My usefulness here is over
and to remain would only make matter.
more d~isagreeable for you, as well a.
me. l am going to the city, where Their
is some chance for me to show my abil
tty, if 1 have my. There is no chance
for me to rise here, and when I hay,
made a competence, and am in a posi-
ton to take care Of o as you deserve
why, we will marry, In spite Of tn,
world"
and will hat be very long-very
very long?" she asked, in a dolefu
voice, that caused him to laugh.
Not long, If the. world appreciate
my transcendent genius with a flip
pant air. Not long, If hard work an
APPLICATION will lift me 70 a respectable
place in society"
Still, I think it is very mean Of 70,
to CO. poutingly.