Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1905-03-31
in The SHADOW OF SHAME |
~ 49, D.siny.- IAN Esest
r. Fitzgerald neDsy RMIWON lent kn&ve" Ea.


Quinton Quave, looking shy and ner-
vous, came TO tell Olive Dumbarton
that. just having been taken into part
| nefship by his father he was now IN
a position to marry.
! II heartily congratulate you. JUN
tom" she said warmly.
.Oh. THANH you, thank you" he ex-
claimed. feeling fresh courage to con-
tinue And you know, l hope. there's
! only one girl | wish TO marry.
II should be shocked to hear you in
tended TO. marry w or three, replied
! Olive, who could not keep from laugh
ing.
Quinton laughed likewise.
Il fearI am rather foolish" he SIAM
mered. but what 1 meant 10 say was
| love no one. / never have loved any
one. but Veronica-and-and
she knows this. | suppose" Mrs.
Dumbarton aid
"Oh, yes. I'm sure h does; at least
/ strove to let her nov that cared
for her above everyone else"
And do you think she loves you?
II hope you won't think me con-
aeited when | say I fancy she does.
And that's the reason I've come to
ask your permission to marry her.
Olive Dumbtaron leaned back in her
chair. a pensive look upon her face as
she remembered her own early mar
riage.
Il hope you have no objection to me;
that you don't dislike me- Quinton
said. alarmed by the silence which had
succeeded his last speech.
No, indeed, Quinton, l like you
very much. You are awfully good
But you are very young, and Yer
onica is younger still"
we grow older every day, you
know" he said, as solemnly as If he
We're for the first time asserting a
great truth.
"As yet you are a mere boy, and she
a mere girl, and neither OF you can
be expected TO known your wv minds"
"Oh, Mrs. Dumbarton.' he replied
hurriedly, and with a tone OF reproach.
Pardon me, but you make a mistake G.
I am quite resolved to marry Veronica
and no one lse. You don't understand
how | love her
She smiled at his earnestness.
And l don't think Veronica will ever
marry any man but me-" he added
proudly. she told me she wouldn't
You have settled 1t between your"
Practically. We felt sure you, who
have always been so good and kind.
would not stand in the way of u
happiness"
Nor shall l. Quinton; but ! want to
make sure your love is not fancy. 1t
would be a terrible thing for one or
both of you to wake some day to the
knowledge that what you thought was
reality turned out to be Illusion"
Yes" he answered, impressed by the
gravity of her voice, that would be a
terrible thing, but | annot imagine il
happening to Veronica or to me, for |
Low her very dearly, and She But
what test can l give you?"
Time is the only test which can be
employed. Become engaged for twelve
months, and then. if you and she are
still OF the same opinion, you can
marry"
Twelve months is a long time he
said re~gretfully. land l thought-but
never mind; 1t WON'T be long passing if
we may see each other continually.
Thank you. I can't tell you how happy
you have made me. l will go and tell
Veronica now" and starting up, he
went towards the garden. where he
knew the girl was waiting for him.
She was walking impatiently up and
down the path at the lower end, under
the trees, whose boughs were in full
LEAKAGE. but as she saw him advancing
she paused. her face white and anxi-
Gus.
How long you have been. i thought
you were never coming to tell me.
What has mother said?' Veronica ex-
claimed in nervous Impotence, as he
drew near.
"She says we must be engaged for
twelve months before We may marry"
She does? oh, Quinton. | can
hardly believe it, can you?" she said,
her trembling voice ready to break into
tears or laughter.
What, dearest"
That we are engaged
I'VE haven't entered into our engage
ment yet. you know. That always be-
gins with a kiss"
Must ours?'' she asked. pcuting
prettily. even while she raised her
flushed face to his.
"A second later she cried out:
"Ah. you have taken three
Yes" he answered laughingly--
that's for luck"
THE END