The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-02-14

friend, Jack Wilson, hut was enjoy-
ing hls dinner, and the conversation.
as an accompaniment, went we'll.
"By-the-hye," said Wilson. in the
course OF conversation, did I tell you
l was engaged. Gilbert?"
NO. my dear chap. Let me congrat-
Glate you"
Thanks, awfully. It's rather n
lucky thing for me: there's plenty OF
money flying around III her quarter"
Lucky man. ] suppose you are aw-
fully fond of key. Jack?"
"Oh. we'll. I suppose l I'M in u way
she Is good enough to like me never
was given TO be sentimental myself.
you know. but - there was money at
the end Of It. / went in anG Won"
Gilbert looked serious. He did not
like this Kind of thing. He hated h
idea OF marriage for money: but he
felt he must take an interest now for
his friends sake.
And who is the girl. may ask?"
kitty Dunstan. don't know wheth-
old mani! You're not i'll. are you?"
Gilbert had turned white, and had
dropped his spoon and fork upon his
plate, which caused Il little jump from
several diners at n~eighboring tables.
mo, the room's very warm. and
these sweets are rather rich. I'll have
some wine to pull me up" He frank
two glasses straight OFF and seemed bet
ter. kitty Dunstan." he said, yes.
/ have met her. Look here"-he said,
suddenly rising-"don't you hurry. 1
am going to the door to get some fresh
you're finished"
Gilbert was In Il worse position now
than before. He would have borne up,
believing that she was going to be hap
py, but how could lie remain silent and
let the girl he owe better than his life
marry a mar who cared nrartica1lv
nothing for her. only for what she
would bring him.
1t was terrible, yet what could he do?
He dare not tell her himself: he
couldn't; 1t was ~unbearable. he at last
decided it was impossible for him to do
anything. He would go abroad. travel
anywhere and try to forget.
He did not see Wilson again. He
dare not trust himself. and a month or
two went by while he made arrange
me,lts for his tour.
1t was about the middle OF January.
and Gilbert was sitting alone III his dis
mantled rsom the evening prior to his
departure.
A servan entered with a card upon
a silver tray. He took 1t absently, but
paled and caught his breath as he read
h name OF Miss Dunstan.
Why, OH, why did she come?
TO see her would bring back MEM
cries he was doing his best to forget.
But he could not send her away, and so
he asked for her to be shown in.
He rose as she entered and noticed
that she was prettier than ever, though
pale. and she looked as II she a been
crying.
GILBERT" she said, you will forgive
me for coming. You are going away, I
know. n l wanted to see you before
you went. ] am in trouble, and l want
ed sympathy"
MY dear little girl, what on earth is,
the matter? And why do you come to
me--not that ] wouldn't DO anything
you ought to go to?"
mo. no, Gilbert" And her voice
trembled. He does not love me-not
myself: 1t is only my money, and l am
miserable"
Gilbert felt as though a load had been
spite of her trouble Than lie had been
for months past.
KITTY, you know ii. I am vcrv sor-
~ for you. have known 1t some time.
That is Why I am going way. I could
not bear TO see you married to linn"
You have now IT, oh, then, why
did You not tell me? You would have
let me marry him.. and o knew he
did not O me. oh. how could you?"
And she burst into tears.
KITTY. ~listen,' he said. sitting down
beside her and taking her hand. How
WAS 1T possible for INC to tell you? (
hardly think you would have believed
me. Your aunt. every one would have
thought l was doing IL for the sake
of breaking or yonr engagement for
my own ends. No, I couldn't have told
you: do you not see that. Kitty"
Yes. yes. Of course you could not.
] heard 1T from his own lips. I was
at q dance and was sitting out with
my partner whcn 1 heard Jacks voice
from behind Il screen. He was talk
ing to another fellow and about me.
] could NO help but listen. 1t was
very hard for me. He said love was
.4ot Il part OF his nature-money was
more In his line. Then his friend
laughed and said he was a lucky fell
lo@. Jack laughed too. and said yes,
l rather think ! am. 1t came to an
end that night. l shall never speak TO
him again"
THANK God!' was Gilbert's mutter-
cd ejaculation. Aloud he said: Poor
little girl | am so sorry for you"
Il knew you would be. That was
why l came. l wanted your sympath,y.
! Auniie wouldn't give me any. She said
! was foolish to give him up. l hated.
her then. and then l came to say good
by" i looked UP at Gilbert. ard
her voice 1ronbled: You are going
away"
why am I going away??" he cy-
claimed Kitty it depends on you.
WIN you send me away? Ours was a
cnaHGe acquaintance, cannot 1t gipcn
into something deeper? Kitty you
know ] love YOU. l thought never to
be able 10 tell O that again Must
l go?"
II think you must co. she said. Then
looked up at hin and smiled. But not
tenlorroW-wait awhile-and We need
MT a auntie with us, unless you
like
Johnny Objected.
Big Florrie' Sullivan aid a New
York detective, will be missed here,