Kimball enterprise. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1883, 1883-05-18

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fruitless search, they started on without
him. They could not have been gone
ten minutes when he drove up to the
gate in an elegant carriage. Calling
John to hold the horses, he sprang up
the steps, and went into the library,
where he found Miss Sherman. to whom
he said, Come, Miss Sherman, help
me to try my new horses, won't your"
~ should like it of all things!" she
said, forgetting, in the pleasant prospect.
that She had been commissioned to send
him to the picnic ground when he did
appear.
She was soon ready. and very nice
she looked, al. in gray, relieved by
sprays of coral in her hat. The day was
fine, and she was now, in spite of her
self, in good spirits; she enjoyed the
drive, and had never been gayer in her
life; She had good company, and they
had driven four or five miles before she
was reminded of the promise made to
Mrs. Grayson by overtaking the cart
containing the picnic baskets.
nOh, MIR. Blayne," she said, 81 was to
tell you to go to the picnic as soon as
you came home, and l forgot It'll"
Well" he said, cody, "no harm is
done, since you have brought me to it."
To her anazement, they now drove
up to the grove where the merry party
We're already enjoying themselves as
only picnicers are. She thought over
the situation rapidly. At first she
thought she must tell Mr.. Blayne that
he must take her home at once, but she
reflected that Mrs. Grayson had pro-
badly not repeated the story of the in
suit she had offered her to her brother,
and she could hardly bring herself to re-
late it. So she was thrown back upon
her self-respect, of which she had a
good deal. 1t came to her aid, and
che look a very queen as they drove up
to the group who stood waiting to well
come them with shouts Of laughter.
William Blayne had marked every
passing change on the face which had of
late grown so interesting to him, and he
liked well the story of true womanliness
it had shown. He was not prepared for
the perfect self-possession with which
she received the shower of raillerv
which was precipitated upon them the
minute they had alighted. He had over
looked the fact that she would be sub
Jected to it, and thought he could endure
any amount of it himself. He was pre-
pared to see his sister look as black as a
thunder-cloud, and to bear her saw. as
she caught a chance to speak 70 him
alone, "Will Blayne, you have disgraced
yourself and me. Such marked atten-
ton from a Blayne to such a very COM
mon person as Florence Sherman is pre-
posterous!'
Will vented his feeling only by GU Of
ing Tennyson:
"'When Adam delved and Eve span,
Where was then the g~entleman?'"A
Florence Sherman understood many
outdoor games. AMI before the day
closed, much to her escorts delight, she
had come to be in great demand.
Alter they started homewards he no.
tlced that she looked weary, and spoke
OF 1t. The tears csme into her eyes as
she said, almost un~consciously, "How
could you take me out in that way when
| was not expected. Mr.. Blayne?"
For several reasons, some Of which
We're not very good ones, l own he
said. Then he spoke quickly, "Florence
90 you think you could ever learn to
love me? Stopa minute" he said, see
ing she was about to speak. 81 have
much more to say. l know YOU have
not thought of me in that way at all. I
will give you all the time YOU want to
think Of it. The time has been when 1
never expected to spt ak those words to
any woman. One false heart had nearly
destroyed my faith in the SEX; 1 thought
it was quite dead; but I found it was on
ly stifed, and since I ha We known you
all my tancied insensibility has been
scattered to the winds. Only tell me,
BILE for you to care for meTthat
| may some day claim you" He
looked at her as he stopped for an in
slant. and saw that she was white as
marble. Instantly he was all contrition
and said. Il ought not to have spoken
80 suddenly. But l beg that you will
not finally decide tonight, unless you
are ready to trust your happiness to
me. 1t would be a precious trust Flor r
ence."
At last Florence Sherman, with great
effort spoke.
1T can never be, Mr.. Blayne," she
said, firmly. II can never enter a
family as an unwelcome member of it.
l am decided upon it. No family
quarrel shall date its beginning from
my entrance into the circle"
Then she told him how, in their
school-days she and his sister had been
inseparable; that she had always felt
perfect freedom in Marion's society:
that in her life of denial and toll this
friendship had been a blessed boon;
tnaJ Oten ana often she had been en-
tertained in Marion's home Mithout q
shade of GOODNESS.
"The reason for the change is evil
dent" she said. "and she shall never be
troubled with such an alliance"
"She surely shalt" he mentally vowed
and said, p~assionately. sit is madness
to wreck my happiness if that is your
Only reasonl Ili not have it! You Shall
not refuse me for a whim, except you
are utterly indiferent, to me-"
mo-" she acknowledged; 81 am not
Indifferent, bnt I am resalute. Though
my heart should break, I cannot, will
not, become an unwelcome sister to
Marion Graysonl"
William Blayne reasoned, argued,
scolded, and pleaded with Florence
Sherman till he could say no more, but
all in vain. She was resolved and neith-
er by word nor look showed any relent-
ing.
The next day, as, true to her word,
she left Marion Grayson's home, she
thought, as she babe goodbye to her
nee dearest friend, that she should
probably never look upon her or her
home again.
"My pleasant looking forward to these
summer rests is all over!" she sighed
to herself; "but hardest of all, is the
| thought that a friend is proved unfaith-