The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1905-03-31
IN The SHADOW OF SHAME |
- Author IL r n Die Of
$S9SHw S2C >=sS~ Destiny" An E.s.l
I. Yn.smn fanoy len, ave" C.

ouinton QuaNe, looking shy and ner-
! NorS. came Ia Tell Olive Dumbalton
that. lust having been taken into part
aership by his father he was nov IN
a position to marry.
! Il heartily congratulate You. Gum
tom" she said warmly.
oh. thank YOU! thank YOU he HX-
ciaimed. feeling fresh courage to con-
tinue. And you know. l hope. Elercs
only one girl | wish to marry
Il should be shocked To hear you IN
tended To marry two or three" replied
! Olive. who could not keep from laugh
ing.
0uinton laughed likewise.
Il fear | am rather foolish" he stam-
mered: but what | meant TO say VAS
| love no one. | never have loved any
one. but Neronica-and-and|
she knows this. suppose? Mrs.
Dumbarton said.
oh. yes. I'm sure she does: at least
i strove to let her KNOW that | cared
FOR her above everyone else
And dc YOU think she loves you"'
Il hope you Won't think me con-
2eited when ! say ! 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 lace as
she remembered her own early mar
riaGc.
y hope you have no objection to me;
that You don't dislike me" Quintcn
said. alarmed by the silence which had
succeeded his last speech.
NO. indeed. Quinton, ! like YOU
very much. You are awfully good"
But YOU are very young. and Yer
onica is younger still"
w grow older every day. you
know" he said. as solemnly as if he
y+a., Fo,. tia, first tjn,. lSSprtinU "A
great truth.
AS vet you are a mere boy. and she
a mere girl. and neither of YOU can
be expected to known your own minds
oh. Mrs. Dumbarton." he replied
hurriedly. and with a zone of r~eproach.
Pardon me. but you make a mistake.
J | ann quite resolved to marry Veronica
4 and no one lse. YOU don't understand
how l love he"
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 it between YOU"
Practically. We felt sure YOU, who
have always been SO good and kind.
would not stand in the way of II
happiness"
Nor shall L, Quinton: but want to
make sure our love is not fancy. 1t
would be u terrible thing 70" 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 ] cannot imagine !;
happening to Veronica or to me. for
love her very dearly. and She But
what test can l give gu"
Time is the only test which can be
employed. Become engaged for twelve
months. and then. il you and she are
still OF the same opinion. you can
marry"
Twelve months is a long lime" he
said rcgretfully, and | thought-but
never mind: it won't be long passing ii
we may see each other continually
Thank you. | 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 anc
down the path III the lower end. undo,
the trees. whose boughs We're in full
LEAKAGE, but as she saw him ~advancln
she paused, her face white and anNi-
Gus.
How long you AVE been. l thouSh'
you We're never coming to tell me
What has mother said??" Veronica en-
claimed in nervous Impotence, as h,
! drew near.
she says we must be engaged fol
! twelve months before we may marry.
She does: Oh. Quinton. car
5 hardly believe it. can you"?" she said
: her trembling voice ready to break int
| tears or laughter.
l What, dearest?"
THAT we are engaged"
. w haven't entered into our engage
ment yet. you know. That always he
gins With Il kiss"
Must ours?" she asked, pcutin'
: prettily. even while she raised he
II flushed face to his.
A second Later she cried out:
t All, you have taken three"
Il Yes" he answered laughingly-
t that's for luck"
d TIItC END