The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-11-23
WOOING BY PROXY.

long, shining folds about her. She is
talking to two or three men with that
rather weary grace he has grown accus-
toned % SEQ in her, and which is so
difsrent from the joyous smiles OF the
Jeanne de Beaujen whom he knew so
long ago. He b watching her from the
opposite side of the salon, al he stands
beside his hostess, and he tells himself
that it ID for the last time. He is going
to her presently, and he knows just how
1coldly she will raise the dark eyes that
once never met his without having con
fessed that she loved him. He knows
Just what he will say and what she will
will answer. and there is NO need for
haste In. this last scene Of his tragedy.
"a nan should know when he is
beaten" he is thinking, while he smiles
vaguely in reply to Nine. de Soule's
commonsplaces. .Ts1ere is more stupid
ity than courage in not accepting a de-
feat while there is yet time to retreat
with some dignity. For six weeks I
have shown her, with a directness that
has, 4 dare say, been amusing to u mu-
tual friends. that after ton years. alb
sence my only object in returning to
Paris is her society. She a n
mot avoid meeting me In public, but she
has steadily refused to receive me when
1 call upon her, or to permit me q word
with her alone. have been q fool to
forget that all these years i a which i re.
GREETED her she naturally despised me,
but at least 1t Is not Just other to refuse
me a hearing" The moment he had
bsen waiting for is come, the little
court about her disperses, until there is
bitone man beside her, andishe chances
around with a look of mild appeal
against the continuance of his society.
De Palissler has eacaped from his
hostess In an instant, aud the next he is
m~.,rI1uring. with the faintest suspicion
Of 9 tremor in his voice, Twill Nine.
Miram0n permit me q dancer"
Thanks, M. de Palissier, but I am
NOT dancing this, evening" she replies,
with exactly the glance and tone he ex-
viii madame give me q few mo-
Ments' serious conversation" and this
time the tremor is distinct. for even the
nineteenth century horror of melodra-
1la cannot keep q mans nerves quite
steady when he is asking question OF,
which his whole future depends.
Zone does not come to balls for seri-
aus conversation she begins, lightly
Where may I come then?" he inter
:fupted eagerly.
"Nowhere. There is no need for &c.
rious conversation between us, NJ. de
falissier, she replies, haughtill, and
rising she takes the arMof the nuch-ed-
lied gentleman beside her, and moves
0~0 " EMCTN .L
~ Is all ~ he prophesied to himself,
and yet for q mOmmet the lights swim
dixziiy before him, and the passionate
sweetness Of that Strauss waltz the band
ID playing stabs his heart like q knife.
q q moment he does not realize that
he y standing quite motionless, gazing
with despair in his eyes, after Nine. de
AtraI10n'B slender, whitehead figure,
and that two orthree people, who have
seen and heard, are looking at him with
that amused pity which q sentimental
ccaltasfrs0phe always inspires in the spec.
tat0rS. 81
Some one touches his arm presently
with q fan, and withsR start he comes to
himself and recognizes Lucille dc Beau
Jon, the young sister of Nine. de Mira
mon, whom he remembers years ago as
q child, and with whom he had danced
several times this winter.
vs. And our waltz, monsieur she asks,
SGayly. do not tell me you have forgot
ten II. That is evident enough, but you
should not admit it,
Mile pardons, mademoiselle," he
muttefs, hurriedly.
= am very good tonight" she says
putting her hand on his mechanically
extended arm. Though the waltz is
half over, there is still time for you to
get me an ice.nn
81 they make their way through the
saloon, she talking lightly and without
pansing for reply, while he, vaguely
grateful to her for Extracting him from
an awkward position, wonders also that
she should care to be 60 kind to a man
whom her Histe r has treated with such
marked dislike.
The ~retreshment room is almost emp
3, and she seats herself and motions
nina to achair beside her when he has
wrought her an ice.
70 9 think NJ. lie Marquis, that it
u 0niy TO eat ices with you that I have
setceag my society so resolutely upon
yen 3 asks with look of eaperstness
vesy iAfe ON her bright coquettish face.
tnln 9 an angel of compassion
NV \ olG. rien OF your childhood
e ~ compassion, but more for NV
LAT nan ior3 you, she rays gravely.
.Youf sisteis" he echoes, bitterly.
IA has not occurred TO me that Nine.
- AiIenon y in need Of compassion.
yours y too sweet to be wasted
I5ahnt, nnonsieIr, z she interrupted.
Forget that I am as fond Of pretty
speeches g most young women. and
S1linE @ me only g Jeanne de Mira
Mons alltes. who believes that, much a.
me her you love her event
t90r the second time this evening De-
RAlasgter for1ets possible observers. and