The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-03-21
Forgive what?n in innocent sur

sHsAH ~ u
prise.
But her color betrays her, and Ber-
nard smiles as he says still holding her
you are no actress, little cousin, You
know to what IgsAllude. . s,p u
But, Bernard, that blue dress wasaA
well, was really shabby, and you would
not at all have liked to see me in it.
And ~besidesgyou know-Mr. Derwent
had offered to escort me to the party. y
He's decidedly oAiicions and friskv
Tor his age, says Bernard dissapproy-
ingly. 3 & 3 6
laughing.
HAS he asked you to go to the pic
me! enqulred her cousin suspiciously.
Not exactly. He-merely alluded
to"
Merely took it for granted that you
We're bound to GO with him,aand. so lie
needn't be in q hurryto ask You r says
Bernard wrathfully. 81 - e
"Then he will find Himself mistaken. !"
Edna says with emphasis. 81 "a
Are you sure lofEthat q" s
Sure? Of course! And to prove it,
III go with you, Bernard" this very
sweetly, "if you will let me, and aren't
engaged to Miss Ogilvie. *
Miss Ogilvie is nothing to me. She's
a nice sensible girl, but Tn not in love
with her, rs Laura, and mother, and all
OF them seem to think" SaSS
"They say you liked her once" a v
Edna, glanclng up askance, and half
shading her fare with her fan.
Il like her well enough, and, per-
haps, might have liked her better In
time. But since you. came, Edna-'s3
At thatscritical moment, Laura inno-
Gently entered the room.
1t was q charming picnic, rs every
body said. Laura had plenty of part
ners, but as for Edna, the beaux enc
ally, though reluctantly, seemed in
cllned to respect the pretentions of Mr..
Derwent.
Bernard, from remote corners,
watched that gentleman's attentions to
his cousin, and pulled his moustache
with inward wrath and resentment.
He began, TOO, to look with doubt up
on Edna, for had she not that evening
encouraged him in the sweetest manner,
and was she not now, to all appearances,
equally encouraging his rival?
A sudden Thought sent the blood to
his brow. Could it be that this charm-
ing cousin of his was q c~oquette, and
was making a fool of him?
AT this moment the couples, began to
take their places for q quadrille, and
Bernard sees Mr.. Derwent, in his usual
stately and deliberate manner, making
his way to Edna across the crowded
| floor.
Slipping pa st the row of wall flowers,
he reached his cousins side in advance
of his rival. fe3
care you engaged for this set p" he
whispered!
ayes, toto Mr.. Derwent, I" glancing
at her card.
He takes the card from her hastily,
and thrust it into his pocket, Just rs a
tall head and shoulders loom up near
Dance this set with me, Edna: I ask
1t as q tavor-as something more than q
favorp he said earnestly.
She knows what he means. He is
pressing her hand. This is the deci-
sive turning-point, which she feels that
she cannot evade.
"Our dance, I believe, Miss Edna, .
says Mr., Derwent, offeringshis arm
Edna hesitates, and casts q glance at
Bernard, wistful and appealing.
He speaks Instantly, and there is a
subdued triumph in his look and 5ma1-
ner:
"Beg PARDON, Mr., Derwent, but I
think YOU are mistaken. This is my
dance 2" @SS i e
Edna slightly turns.to Mr.. Derwent.
Her breathScomes quickly, and her fin
gers tremlbila a little d sSshe endeayors to
fasten that troublesome bracelet.
Let Miss Edna decide which of us is
right" says Mr.. Derwent with dignifed
politen.ss.
He Is a little flushed.
Bernard, on the contrary, is slightly
pale, and his eyes are i~ntently fixed 10
on his cousin.
She avoids his glance, and turning,
takes Mr.. Derwent,s arm, murmuring
something about having losther card.
MI. Derwent walks off with her upon
his arm, with a little pleased smile of
triumph lurking about the orner of
his mouth, and Edna sees no more of
Bernard that evening.
Next morning the girls come down to
an II o'clock breakfast, and Aunt Mary,
as she poured out their coffee, scolded
them for staying so late on the moon
light porch after their return from the
picnic.
Laura only smiled placidly, and hlna
toyed with her apron and blushed.
Il have something to tell you,
AuntsMary."
Aunt Mary, glancing at her, nearly
sprang from her chair.
2sssBless my soul, child! you don't
mean that Mr.. Derwent proposed to
you last night ?ss4 s
Edna smiled Is she nodded assent,
andsAnnt Mary at once turned upt the
girl'sface and kissed her.
Tim perfectly delighted. Why, it's
the very best match in town, and
almost in the whole country. Your
father and mother will be SO pleased"
Il knew he would propose last night
Edna" Laura says quietly; land I'm,
SO glad dear!"
And then, after some moments ex-
cited talk on Aunt Mary's part, the lat
ter says suddenly:
"And 1 have apiece of news, also,
though not 80 important as yours, Ed
ma. sBefEard--" 7s8 8YS Va
Where is Bernard Z" said Laura,
"andswhy didhe Leave the picnic SO sud-
denly. And the news-what do you
think of his having purchased that
Morford House opposite-the one next,
to Mr.. Derwent's 2 said Amt, Marynod-
"Why, mother" said Laura'in sur
prise. HE heard-let me see, it was
the day before yesterday-that Judge