Year: 1877

That was his name. Do you know
him?'


I did; but excuse me for interrupt
ing you. Pray go on


This gentleman accompanied us
home. at the joint invitation of papa
an1 myself. He remained over night
and the greater part of the
pext day. lie was an admirable
nurse, and when he commanded me
to lie still while he waited on me, ]
accepted it with that girlish romantic
gratitude which made me blush tc
think that, after all, be might be the
prince of whom I had been dreaming


You are more hurt than you think
so lie STILL he would say to me. Pa.
pa was out looking after his men on
the farm, and it was dangerous
pleasure to lie there and be cared fol
so teuderly by a handsome young man
for he was handsome.


In that single day lost my heart.
loved Philip Kimber|ee; and it cost
me sharp pang, infinitely sharper
and harder to bear than that Of my
sprAined ankle or bruised shoulders,
to bid him goodbye and fall back
upon my own ahoughts.


But he begged permission to write
me, which | WAS only too glad to
grant. Papa too, was greatly pleased
with Mr.. Kimberlee, for they could
sit down over their cigars and discuss
the thoussnd and ons business matters
in which men always seem to have a
mutual interest.


MIR. Kimberlee was a Young Chi
cago merchant, who was then travel
ing upon business for his house. His
business would take him to the lower
counties of the State, after which he
expressed the hope that he might be
able to visit us again on his return.


Need ! tell you that prayed ear
nestly that he would return as he pro
posed ? My crippled, helpless eondl-
ton became doubly irksome after he
went away. What y JOY it was when
they finally placed me on my horse to
ride whittier | would-snd to think Of
him.


Before this his letters had been
coming every day. Sensible letters
they WERE sometimes sketching bit
of Illinois life; again bit of pen
photography, presenting curious faces
and costumes then, perhaps, fresh,
gossipping page of society matters, but
always so kindly tender in inquiries
concerning me and my nishap.


Can you wonder, then, that when
Philip Kimberlse came back to US, az
he did, was prepared to receive him
with all the ardor Of young girls
first love''


The scoundrel suddenly burst
from the ashen lips Of the strong man
who sat writhing in unspeakable mis-
cry.


Wait, my dear friend, be patient
until you hear ALL she said softly.


4 beg pardon. Pray 60 on, he fal-
tered in a groan.


Philip Kimberlee remained with
us three days. And how vividly every
hour of those days would come back
to me for months and years afterward.
Here was my prince, and I did not
fail to render him due homage. And
how tender, considerate and thought
full he was. When l look back at
those days | cannot wonder at the re-
suit. 1t could scarcely have been diff
ferent had | been older and more ex-
perienced in the ways Of the world.


1T is sufficient to say that before he
went away he told me, sitting togeth-
er there on the bluff, how he loved
me. How he loved me And |, child
like in my joy and happiness, looked
over the calm waters and the green
foliage away beyond, with the waves
of heated air, and earnestly thanked
God for this precious boon-a mans
love.


There was half audible groan
from John Allen as be moved uneasi-
ly in his chair. She glanced up at
him timidly, almost deprecatingly,
before she continued.


His letters came almost daily, and
after each one came and had been de-
vourcd, I went down upon my knees
and thanked the good God with all
nv heart for bestOWlng on me, poor