The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-12-12
condemned him TO darkness for I

the two delicate organs)-the other ono
might follow suit, and he would event.
ually become totally blind! And all had
happened in . moment; only q few
minutes ago and he was starting, unin-
jured and light-hearted. for . stroll
round the place.
Johnny's reflections were not very ex-
hilirating, Is the Doctor and the
landlady guided him up stairs again,
and the pain in his eye kept him awake
all night. Next morning, however,
youth and good health asserted their
sway, and Johnny began to take a more
hopeful view Of things. The question
was how to amuse himself.
He propounded this dificulty to the
person who brought him his coffee, and
was answered by o sweet voice full Of
sympathy. Johnny was struck by the
tones-they were 80 soft and yet SO
clear.
"This is not Frau Werner he said.
"Are you her daughter? 2"
TIN Lolita"
"Ohl" he SAID, and then stopped.
Tho name did not give much informa-
ton, but it was the name Of the Coun-
tess Of Werdenfels, his picture-love.
well, Lotta," he continued, twill
you help me? Can you teach me to net,
fox example?
If you wish il, sir, but now eat this
egg. You must eat plenty, or you will
get weak"
Johnny burst out laughing at the idea,
and split the coffee.
.Never mind; do not tronble. I will
bring some more Directly" and the
young girl (Johnny felt sure she was
young) went quickly and softly out OF
the room, and befoye it seemed possible
had returned with a fresh supply.
when will you teach me to net? /
shall be very awkward at first, you
know"
It was Lotta's turn to laugh-such a
merry, musical laugh, Johnny had
thought all German voices harsh be-
fore.
g am afraid I cannot leave my work
in the morning, mein Herr, but after
dinner 1 shall be at liberty" and
Johnny wa obliged to be content with
that.
Everybody was very kind to him,
everybody came and waited on him /;
but he was impatient for the afternoon
for the netting lesson. What an ex-
quisite voice the girl had! Yet she
could only be o servant. Perhaps her
voice was her only good point-a COM
pensation from Dame Nature for coarse
and vulgar looks. The idea was a
shock, all the same; Johnny thought q
good deal over it. He had plenty time
for thinking.
The netting lesson was q success
and soon it came to I've understood that
Lolita Was his favorite attendant. When
he grew impatient because his big fin
gers were 10 awkward with the mesh,
Lolita would take it, and set everything
right; When he grew depressed Lolita
would cheer him up. When the hours
seemed interminable, Lolita found some
thing fresh to interest him.
She was q mystery to the young man.
he questioned her about her family, but
when he reflected afterward upon her
answers he found himself very little
wiser. He felt rather ashamed to ask
others for information which she seemed
inclined SO withhold, but he even
stopped to that to crafty his curiosity.
He gained nothing. Nobody seemed
inclined to tell him much more than
Lolita herself.
One day she "a dusting his room
putting his books, brushes, papers, ETC.,
in order. When she cam upon his
unfinished picture she exclaimedin sur
prise:
"Carlotta Won Werdenfels !r
DO you know it?" he asks eagerly.
aYes, indeed, very we'll"
"How is that? Il is small-it is not
celebrated; besides, you told me your
self you had never been to Innspruck."
Il have seen q copy elsewhere"
johnny threw himself back in his
chair with q sigh of weariness.
II shall never finish her! That daub
gives no idea of her beauty, her grace,
her exquisite charm.
HOn the contrary, said Lolita decid-
eddy, you have made a very pretty
And poor Johnny was gratifed with
her words. though, he said to himself,
what can q dienstmadchen know about
art?n
Nov Lotta," he said, "where is my
work? I shall finish the cabbage-net
for Frau Werner before I 20. Why
did you start? Did I hurt your"
Eyes, o little. My finger is sore; it
is nothing"
"Ah, poor child! What is the mat
ter with it?"
Johnny's tones were full of sympa-
thy.
Il cut it peeling potatoes"
He felt as if he had received a cold
douche. For some minutes he netted
in silence.
Shall I read t you?p said his willing
handmade, seeing he did not seem
disposed to talk and she took up avol-
ume Of Heine, and read bis s~cornful
contempt Of fine ladies and gentlemen,
and his honest admiration for the worth
Of the peasant; and Johnny sat and lis
tened, and wondered whether this kind.
patient servinR-maid wasn't, after all,
worth all the fashionable girls he had
aver known.
The Doctor came that evening and
gave o very favorable report on his pa
tient. "There would always be a scar,
but the eye was uninjured; and if Herr
Lupton was prudent, he might be able
to travel in q week"
In spite of this encouragement, john
ny was ont of sorts. Nothing pleased
him. Lolita was in despair. At last
she said, timidly:
Would you like me to sing to you?"
Gan you sing?" cried Johnny, start
ing up in establishment. "But there is.
no piano. If / had my violin, now.
But perhaps you don't care for an ac-
companiment?"
There is q either in the house. I
can-play a little; if you like. that is"
OF course Johnny liked, and he sat