The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-11-28

Ia oStO1lk uoI6cll u
combat It; found in less than a week a
hundred ways Of being useful and en-.
Pertaining. She was skillful in devisine
ways in which to afford the girls tete-a-
tetes with their respective particulars; y
behaved, in short, more like u grand
mother than a belle of twenty won them
all over, v g including Bell, who
seemed to like her grudgingly and
under protest, and then was ready for
action.
During her week Of quiesence there
had been, though she had appeared I'M
conscious of the fact, masculine OBJ
servers. They had seen that she was
was not only lovely, but after that
plquant fashion which depends much on
expression, and keeps you studying it.
She sang sweetly, played we'll, con-
versed delightfully."-, had a keen eye and
soft touch; grew on you in short
strengthened her hold upon you day by
day.
One thing, however, puzzled mean
unusual languor, almost timidity, in
Nellie, and Otto Winstanley's almost in
comprehensive conduct.
He had joined in none of the onver
sation anticipatory of her arrival; and
when she was presented, there was q
start and sudden paleness on Nellie's
part, and a sudden dark ~upleaping OF
color and feeling to his face, as he mut-
tered something about a previous &C.
quaintance.
I think no one else observed this, or
the fact that this lndolent Irritation with
Bell glowed with sudden and unac-
conntable ardor since Nellie's arrival.
Perhaps, also, no m else remarked
that he certainly treated Miss Middle
ton with downright rudeness and ne
glect, or thought to ask themselves if a
man was apt to be rude and neglectful
towards Il sweet and winning girl tc
whom he was perfectly Indifferent.
But be that as it might, two slow weeks
went, and l say no more clearly into
the mystery than 1 had done at first.
But n evening came Nellie, and sat
down beside me in the twilight.
She sat very still, looking even pale1
than usual, and [ caught myself pityinp
her, but at a loss how to manifest it, ]
renamed silent.
Presently she heaved a little sigh,
which gave me IN excuse for asking
what was the matter.
ooh. nothing; onlyI am tired-not
physically, but mentally. This is a
very unsatisfactory life. Don't you
think SOP"
"That depends"
well, l have found it So" The only
things worth having are out of ones
reach. Walls of paper, barriers of air
separate more in%dissolubly than brass
and adamant. Energy can conquer
matter, but what human will is strong
enough to do battle with pride and
preiudice?"
"You are right in general, but
don't know how you would apply all
this"
II believe I have not applied it,"
II beg your pardon!
After that we were silent, till Otto
strolled in, and giving me o brief
nod, sat down and began play
ing with Jup the terrier. Hav-
ing a vague idea that Nellie
might be inclined to be more specific
with him than me, I made Mrs. Polly
do someone a good turn, for one of the
few times in her life, and getting up a
fiction about being wanted, left them
alone. What afterwards occurred
have from the best anthority-Nellie
herself.
They sat in the fast growing twilight,
memories busy at the heart of each
pride struggling with q feeling that,
during those weeks, had fast been grow
ing too strong for it. Nellie, with
bowed head and swimming eyes; Otto
watching her, with face softening in
spite of himself.
Suddenly Nellie rose, with an air of
desperation; and brushing past Otto
went over to the piano.
AS she reached 1t something rang out
sharply click. as of something metal
ic that had struck on the marble hearth.
Nellie exclaimed. Otto stopped to
pick up something that shown in the
red freight just at his feet. She
moved forward Us if to prevent him
stood then, as if paralyzed; as he held
up a ring-a simple little thing-only a
plain gold c%irclet, bearing some words
engraved on it. hanging from q chain
attached to a hook, like q wa%tch-guard.
- lOohSu islbClllhbIlN az IL ulu INcl-
lie, who stood by him. crimson and
speechless.
"You have kept this all the time,
Nellie?"
Nellie was silent.
"Why did you keep it?"
81 wanted something to wear on the
chain, and I don't carry my watch"
ooh! / thought perhaps you cared
something for it, after ALL"
"You thought differently when we
were last together"
81 ~hadreason."
"aThat is your assertion"
"Answer, then. I ask you to Judge
yourself. Had 1 not reason? Would
not any man hav been justified in being
incensed and outraged at your con-
duct?" .
81 was very young, very thoughtless.
[ never dreamed that you really cared.
It was pleasant to talk and fret, and !
liked to vex you, for the pleasure of the
reconcilement."
GA strange pleasure, that was pleased
with Che pain it inflicted on what it
loved best. A strange thoughtlessness,
that permitted me no freedom, but
claimed al unbounded liberty for your
self"
"You have said all those things once!'
returned Nellie, with some dignity
"And it was painful enough to hear them
once"
II had no intention of %reproachine
you," answered Otto; "for out of the
bitterness of the heart, my mouth
spoke. It is sc miserable to look
at you, and think what might have
been, and how now we are hopelessly
separated"
"Otto," said Nellie, tfmid1y. "don't
you think we might be friends? You