The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-06-27

oaPlall oIGeScue walked On slowly,
and listened for tue confident rat-a-tat-
tat Of his rival. He heard it, fingered
and looked back. The door was opened
and the visitor instantly admitted.
The unhappy man who had been
turned away from that same entrance
sighed heavily, and went away down the
sunny street, hanging his head. He told
himself thati it would be only q fool, or q
mailman, who could pretend to mis-
understand so plain a refusal as this.
Perhaps it was meant kindly, he
thought; and groaned at the thought.
Miss Bracegirdle was no coquette and
did not care to have men offer her their
love when she had no intention of ac-
cepting it. He was so desperately en-
amored of her that he busted himself III
trying to see this cruel cut as a kind
deed. His hopes We're gone; but he
could not bear so suddenly to lose his
idol. He determined he would not wor-
ry her by his unwelcome presence where
she could not easily avoid him, nor per-
NIT himself to be laughed at by his sue
cessful rival. So he excused himself
from certain engagements at houses
where he knew he should meet her.
He gave up dancing, and took to cards
instead.
Mamma" said Miss Bracegirdle one
day, "doesn't it seem odd that for three
weeks Captain Fortsescue has not
called"
ct does" said Mrs. Bracegirdle,
"and yet, when [ come to think of it,
we have not met him out anywhere,
either. He must be i'll, or more likely
he has gone out of town. He will call
when he comes back
This she said, noting that her daugh-
terlooked q little pale and out of sorts.
But secretly, she was uneasy herself.
Captain Fortescue had shown signs OF
being so hot a wooer thatit seemed
very improbable he would leave
town without q word to them.
AT the next opportunity she
quietly made some inquiries about him
and learned that CAPTAIN Fortescue was
neither i'll nor out Of town. This was
bad news indeed, for Mrs. Bracegirdle
knew perfectly well that her daughters
heart was seriously touched: and, as
Captain Fortescue was perfectly "eligi-
ble," al had promised fairly. Now
that fair promise was destroyed. There
was nothing to be done except to try.
by other distractions, to erase the i'm.
pressions which Captain Fortescue had
made. Mrs. Bracegirdle devoted her.
self to her daughter more tenderly than
ever; and the girl understood her.
Amid all the gaity and the many err
gagements which came with every DAY
there was a melancholy about the house
which had never been there before. II
was impossible for them to Danish it al
together. Even Master Harry, acheer-
full youth of ahout fourteen, became
aware Of it at last, and declared his Sis
ter was not half as jolly as she used te
be-" One day, when his mother and
SISTER We're taking q quiet llalf-ho be-
fore dressing for dinner, he came into
the room, carrying an umbrella.
a say, mother, this umbrellas beer
in the stand for o month. The fellow
it belonged to has forgotten all about
it. I expect; don't you think I might
have it,"
isn't it yours?" said Mrs. Brace.
girdle. II gave you o silver-handlec
one last year"
20, / lost that long ago" replied the
youth, coolly; land | may as well have
this instead. It's like mine. but ever sc
much sweller. There's aname engraved
On it; but [ could have that scratched
OUT
"Let me see the name" said Mrs
Bracegirdle. She took it, and reat
"Fortescuc."
An odd look came over herface. Sht
said nothing for a moment, but seemed
plunged in thought: then she rose, ant
went downstairs to the dining-room
! She rang the bell, and the stern-eyet
maid appeared.
Eliza" she said, '.can you remem
Der the appearance of the young MAJ
who come one day, and asked for al
umbrella? He came twice, I think 20,
said, and asked for me the second time
Will you describe him. if you CAM"
HE a quite Q gentleman to look ut
ma'am, said Elaza "but this sort most
ly are. Tall. and broad -shouldered an,
military looking, with blue eyes, yer,
short, fair hair, and q long, heavy, fai
moustache."
"That will do, Eliza said Mrs
Bracegirdle, you can GO
As soon as Eliza had left the room
Mrs Bracegi.dle sat down and wrote
note. Then she tore it up and wrot
another, which is merely an informal in
v~itation to lunch the next day.
Then she called Harry down to her
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