The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-11-02
The contour Of her form was faultless

xll0 COIltOuI - u0F HlOIIu WIS IatltLlcSS .
and her oval face beamed with celestial
beauty. Dark curls fell over her alabas-
ter shoulders, and with one of them she
was toying. Ever and anon her glance
few to the door. for she was expecting a
Eyisitor. At last the knob was turned, and
the beautiful Maid ofHonor smiled, and
watched the door, expecting to see the
sbldiery form of her devoted lover.
Presently the door swung back upon
its oiled hinges, and a man stepped in
to the room. "A shade of disappointment
marred the maiden's features, for he was
not the looked for suffer. But, never
theless, she rose and extended her
hand.
81 am glad that / have found thee
alone, Marie" said the soldier, raising
her hand to his lips.
And | Am glad to see thee, mon cher
colonel" responded the girl feignlng a
great joy al his arrival. az am alone.
and a companion like thyself is much
desired.ns
why dost thou fatter me Marie?
But / will speak the truth. | never saw
thee more beautiful than thou art to-
night. Thou has robbed the flowers of
their beauty, and"
~ thought thou vert going to speak
the truth, colonel: but"
Do not. I pra thee, Goddess of
Beauty, address me by my military title,
but call me Pierre"
"Yell, Pierre, then" she laughed.
But let us be seated, mon cher. l
have something important to say to
thee"
The o cheeks of the empress maid
OF honor grew pale at the c,lonei's last
rn m rk md QIA tYrrt,nl ho~ f,nn C.o..
him that he might not mark the change.
She knew what that Something impor-
tantD was to be, and she decided to hear
it. Colonel Joclyn had long pretended
to love her, and as he was a favorite of
the emperor's, she had permitted his
visits. She knew that he was one Of the
most notorious III in the city of Paris
and that he had repeatedly used her
nane at the card and wine tables,
drunken associates. The emper-
or did not know the colonel as Marie
st. Pierre knew him; and he intended
to bestow upon his favorite the beauti-
fun and titled maid of honor. Marie
would have fled the palace at the thought
OF receiving visits from this dissolute
man, had she not been SO attached to
the IMPRESS and her little son, the
king OF Rpme.l So she received the col
onel, and put on a cheerful counte-
nance, while she secretly loatlied him.
Nhe colonel led the trembling girl to a
seat, And began a string of batteries, in
h midst of which she interrupted him.
Pierre.s youtl, and beauty are twin
sisters" she said; "and | will not listen
to any more of thy batteries. Thou
saidst thou hadst something important
to say to me, and | I'M eager to hear it,"
Perhaps thou woulh'st not DO so ca
ger ifthou knewest what it was,n he said
at random.
Mares cheeks again grew pale, and
the colonel saw the change.
y am not q bearer of evil tiding,,"
he said. For aught I know to the
2 ntrary, thy relations in Burgundy are
LIVING. l loft my officers at the supper
table to sit by thy side"
She knew that he had lately drained
the cup, for his breath was pregnant
with the perfumes of claret.
l must be a great attra :tion to draw
thee from thy brother officers" she
said, allowing him to take her hand.
1.-The greatest attraction on earth
Marie," he responded. "But do you
why came here to night?n
Esrfte had grown excited. and had laid
aside the lover-like expressions.
4 do not, Pierre,' answered Marie,
unless It was to tell me Something inn
portant."
AM you have guessed it, he cried.
u came here to tell you that I love
you, and to ask you to become NINE"
.Ihou art surely jesting,. colonel"
n said, pretending surprise at his
words. Eyes, l know thou dost lest.
You wouldst not wish to rob the en-.
press of her first Maid of Hpnor?"
me" "A 10's
But the King Of Rome, never. He
Is ~devotedly attached to me-"
tie % young, and will soon forget
on; But you have not answered me.
VIII you exchange your position for the
love of a colonel?"
1T would depend upon whom the
colonel was"
Myself, for instance"
.Ihel | answer negatively"
The words we're firmly spoken, and
the soldier perceived that she no longer
lested. Hlsdisappolntment was Instant
~ changed TO rage and, aided by wine,
1t quickly broke fortn.
b young girl was forced to close her
ears with her delicate fingers to shut out
the aouse the intoxicated officer heaped
npon.her. Az last, finding that his paths
we're not heard in . furious ,Nasston the
colonel strobe from the apartment.
Fire OF Heaven!" he cried. when he
gained the street. 81 have lost nv bet!
Curse my i'll luck! But" he ground his
teethtin very rage. 'she shall yet be
mine. Her other lover, Major Vramont,
must be put out of the way, and the
the better. This very NIGHT
yea. this hour 1 Will to work. He sfys.c.