The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1904-04-15
DECIDED IN HASTE.
BY E. D. Ross
Copyright. 1904, by w. r.. Hearst,
Lillian ahnok hon. hnal

afraid, l must unconsciously have given
you cause to believe that l cared for YOU"
mo. no, indeed! Miss Carruthers. you
have not-at least hoped 1 had made
you love mc-but 1t was not your fault.
1t was. and is, impossible for me to expect
anything else"
Pm afraid you must"
"Most things have gone well with me
all my life. 1t makes it harder to believe
that what l want most of all is to be
denied me. l fear I'm a spoilt person
and can't give up my own way easily. l
dare not look forward to a life without
you. 1t is worth nothing to me. Why may
l not hope to win you some day, Lilian?"
Because l do not love YOU"
rs that alp
NO, there is Jack"
Sir George turned pale under his tan.
Who is Jack" he asked gravely.
Jack Trevelyan is our nearest neigh
Dor in Devonshire. We nave always been
great friends"
Friends, or something more?"
Lillian plushed and played with q paper
knife which was in a book by her side.
II think we We're something more. AT
least always thought Jack the only man
In the world for me, but he was poor and
proud. and he never told me of his love.
He would not, you know: because. II he
became engaged to me before he made
any money OF his own, people would say
1t was for my fortune"
THAT is false PRIDE
Yes, L think so. too, but the Trevelyans
are horribly, absurdly proud"
How long is that ago?"
II haven't seen Jack for a year, not
since l came to auntie."
You were very young. Lillian. l love
you SO much that in time YOU must learn
to love me. l can risk 1t, dear, IL only
you will marry me-"
mo. L caa't do that with a clear con-
science"
Then. at least, defer your answer.
Think It over. Wait a day before you de-
eide. Tomorrow at this time / will come
for your reply"
He looked 80 tenderly and kindly at the
girl as he left her that she smiled back
ut him. and he felt reassured.
He was always so good to her, Lillian
remembered. 50 considerate and kind.
Since she had known him her life had
been much more interesting. much fuller
they had SO many tastes and hobbies
In common.
AS Lillian turned to the book she had
been reading when he came In, she real
tied that unless she married him she
would no longer have some one to choose
her books and guide the reading she so
much enjoyed. Then her thoughts wan
dered to ali the good times, intellectual
and otherwise, they could have together.
and the pleasure it would give her parents
and aunt il she married Sir Georbe Hem
don.
She awoke next morning to the con-
seriousness OF a crisis In her life. and her
lovers pleedings Of the day before sound
ed in her ear.
Presently the maid brought her morn
ing tea and her letters.
She opened the one in her mothers
handwriting as being the most interesting
Of the budget.
Just the same excitments," she mur-
INJURED as she read 1t. Jupiter has hurt
his bacls-that idiot John must have been
careless with the saddle again. The fruit
trees promise wonders. especially the old
plum near the tennis court. because War
rem buried some cats under it-horrid-
and what's this?-Jack Trevelyan had a
horrible accident with his motorcar-con-
cussion of the brain and broken arm.
They think he will pull through now, but
1t was a narrow escape. Good heavens!'
With this exclamation the girl Jumped
up and rang for her maid.
Quick, Esther, pack me n bag and my
dressing case. l must catch the early
train home. No. you needn't come with
me. What shall you tell my aunt? Say
I'll be back in a day or two. hat Jupiter
no. that won't do-that mother wants
| me-"
Before the household had breakfast. LII
Ian had started on her journey to the bed
side of the lover whom she had nearly lost
twice over.
lowed the dictates of her heart. Her I'M
mediate thought had been to go to him
in his trial and sickness She would heal
his BORROW with her love, and break down
his false pride. She realized In TINE all
that her old comrade was to her. and she,
at least, had no pride to keep them apart.
The long journey seemed longer than
usual to her anxious mind, but during the
afternoon she arrived at her destination.
With n face beaming with joy at the
thought OF seeing Jack SO soon, she
walked into her mothers drawing room.
Lii, my darling" and she had her
mothers arms round her. why, what
are you doing here? Where have you
come from?''
Lillian laughed. and seeing her mother
was not alone, turned TO speak to her
guests.
Mrs. Trcvelyan," she cried. kissing that
lady after greeting the others, how is
JACKIE
She waited breathlessly for the reply.
though she knew that her absence from
her son meant good progress.
"Doins famously. my dear was the
%aughing answer.
Mrs. Carruthers took her daughters
hand and gently drew her to a seat beside
her.
I'VE have great news about Jack" she
said quietly. "He has been made very
happy through his accident"
She kept her hand In Lil!an's in her
wish to help her bear what, with her
mothers instinct. she knew would be a
shock.
Mrs. Trevelyan interposed.
Yes, indeed. my dear. AS soon as ever
his accident was known. Dolly Marsh
mont drove over. and. taking the fort by
storm, insisted on seeing Jack. They
made 1t up somehow, and it appears that
she had refused him six month ago. And
now they are both radiant"
How delightful exclaimed Lillian,
~clapping her hands gayly. and now I
must tell my news. though 1t seems a
shame to tell you all before l warned my
parents. Mother. dear, I've come to tell
you of my engagement to Sir George Hen
don."
The congratulations OF her old friends
were sincere. but hard to bear. Lillian.
however, felt rewarded by the look OF re
lief on her mothers face.
Sir George received the answer which