The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-08-01

Setiier, more IN sympathy With each 9th
er-these two sisters noticed, Esther
that Tessey was more than usually silent,
that under her joyous laugh shone the
glinllner of crowding tears; but Tessey
that Esther grew more thin and wan,
that her strength seemed to be con-
sumea IS by some eating fire.
One evening, Esther, in her chair
drew Tessey to her. The young girl
came and knelt by her side in the old
familiar way, the pretty bronze brown
love locks ruffing over her lap, the
white arms softly upthrown.
Dear" said the elder sister in q low
voice, "you sing to me now"
NO" answered Tessey, slowly. 'tIt
must bel don't know why-unless-
don't think Of it,"
you did not wait once to think Of il.
Tessey, you sang because you must"
Yes, that does make a difference, to
feel the music in me-. When o bird is
being cooked and eaten I suppose it
does not feel like singing"
What in the world do you mean,
child?"
"Mean? nothing; 1 never mean any
thing; that is why I get into so much
trouble"
The girl spoke il knocking way, but
q moment after she began moro serious
ly:
"Do you know, Esther, I was read
ing this morning the old story of the
knightly lover who had u beautiful bird
that his lady coveted. He was very
poor, but he would not sell his bird.
But n fine day the princess sent a
message that she was coming to dine
with him, and as he had nothing in his
larder fit for so dainty a lady, he babe
the cook kill the bird and serve it."
Here Tessey paused a moment, for a
sound OF tears was in her voice. She
put her hand over her eyes.
''It is such q tender story, Esther, 1
cant tell it as it ought to be told; but
the young knight must have sat and
looked at her-ean't you fancy it?-
while she sat at this table and ate his
frugal dinner-and then-she said she
would love him-be his own true prin-
cess-if he would give her his bird"
WELL, said Esther, smiling, "the
princess did get the bird in one way if
not in another. And I wonder if the
young knight quite loved her when he
saw her eating itE'
80, you hard-henrted woman" cried
Tessey. "But 1 thought of that, too"
Then rising with q quiet change of
manner, she said: "I wonder if Joseph
would contribute his beloved violin to
make a fire for me if I We're freezing?"
Esther began to understand.
The next day Miss Payne was not SO
we'll. She was lying on the sofa in tie
little parlor, when Tessey came and
knelt by her and took her two hands.
The girl had q strange, sad feeling, as
if she were lost in o wood, with no one
to show her the way out.
81 don't know what to do for YOU"
she sobbed. "You are getting worse,
Esther; what is it? Shall l send for
some one? o, why does not Joseph"
She stopped suddenly, but Esther
heard, and the next day q message found
its way to that young man, who an
swered in person.
He walked straight up to Esther's
chair when he came in.
81 did not know you were ILL.," he
said; and oh, the sense Of comfort, of
rest, that the invalid felt when she
heard his voice-when she looked into
his clear eyes. us it anything serious?
l am so sorry"
Esther smiled gently; but he grew
grave with q startled fear when he saw
the change in her.
"It is not painful-only q little
troublesome; and I should not mind
it so much, but Tessey frets over
me-"
Joseph. looked for the first time at
Tessey, who was sitting apart by the
window. She barely glanced up as he
spoke, but there was a bright red flush
in her cheek. And her eyes-how soft
and appealing they were as they looked
at him SO briefly. Perhaps he had been
unnecessarily harsh with her Just
q slip of q girl, a white flower unfold
ing.
Presently Tessey slipped from the
room.
Come closer, Joseph" began Miss
Payne, ~nervously clasping and unclasp-
ing her hands; II have but a moment,
and l wished to say to you-perhapsI
am meddling-I am sick and have many
fancies-but, Joseph, if I were a young
man, loving a shy, half frightened girl,
I should say to myself should always
say to myself this truth: "A faint heart
never won fair lady"
Joseph looked at her; his face turned
red then white, and then he burst out
into a curious, hysterical laugh.
Good bless you, Miss Payne. I be-
lIeye You i the best woman in the
world" he said, earnestly. He kissed
her hand; how cold it was! how wan
and sad and tired she looked! but-not
a meddler; 40.
When Joseph took his leave. as he
walked along the hall he heard behind
a door half open the notes of a piano
and q low voice singing-Tessey's voice.
Joseph hesitated a moment, then pick
ing up courage, repeating to himself
with a queer little smile the words
faint heart never won fair lady," he
pushed the door open and went in.
Tessey was there alone, playing and
singing softly to herself. She jumped
up when she saw who her visitor was.
"Stay,"h he said quickly; II did not
come to disturb you; I came to listen"
Tessey stopped and stood silent with
bent face.
Won't you sing me n song?" he
pleaded.
But Tessey turned away. and began
to gather up her scattered music sheets.
II can't sing in German" she an
swe,ed coldly. my songs are all simple
ones. They are only English songs,
not worth listening to-"
He looked at her, hesitated q moment
for the last time, then took a step for
ward.
"Why do you treat me in this cold
way, Tessey?n he burst ont. "Haye I