The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-10-03

ouOuo tAo AaCcs IL WAS 10 Op6u AuO
candid, and there was such q good ma.
tured smile on the manly brow. The
verdict OF one capable Of reading the
heart in the face would undoubtedly be
good, aud wen q casual observer would
be struck whit gentlemanly appear.
ance Of the young man.
just now the countenance was bright
with hope. Would not Minerva Lam
bert soon be in his arms telling him
how muchsshe loved him?
This, he thought, was the reason
q why he had been requested to meet her
there, preferring that romantic spot in
whichto tell him d sher love.
Il He heard = fousslep behind him.
turning hastily, he beheld the hand
some Apollo, Leroy Beaumont, walk.
ing briskly along toward him.
He was much surprised to see him ap.
preaching, and SO was Leroy to find
Mark there, for he stopped hort and
held up both hands, exclaiming:
Mark Spencer!"
MI. Beaumont" returned the other,
with a slight nod.
why are yousshere :" cried Beau
mont.
What right hayeyou to ask I" calmly
retorteds the young man.
His rival coIored.
"Sir, you are impudent," said he, an.
grily.
Il deny the charge, Mi. Beaumont,
and you have1no cause to speak thus"
Again I ask you why you are here?n
Again I tell you that it does moi
concern you, and you have no right to
ask"
"Then, sir, will you please leave this
place, as it is here / am to meet q GER
tain person"
And with q naughty look the osten.
tatious fellow consulted his heavy gold
watch. /
Minerva should have been here ere
this lie muttered, as if to him self, but
with furtiye glance at Mark Spencer
to 9 what effect his words produced
onShim.
Mark was surprised; but, pretending
that he did not hear the words, he said:
"No, sir; I will not leave this place,
for |, too, am waiting for a friend.p
"Do you mean Miss Lambert?"
aI do.n
"Then, sir, you speak falsely!" cried
Leroy, tiercely. "She did not ask you
to meet her here"
II beg your pardon, but"
"Ceasel Hold your tongue!n thun..
dered the handsome man. "Audaoious
scoundrel! know you not that Minerva
Lambert is soon to become my wife?
She cares naught for you. Your jeal-
ousy prompted you to come here and
| witness our meeting. eh?"
lis lalseI" replied Mark, quietly.
II knew not that such o meeting was
in contemplation. But, sir, I have no
desire to handy words with you; there.
fore I wish you good evening"
He bowed and WAS about to withdraw
from the spot when Leroy produced q
pistol and pointed it at him.
Mark was no coward. He folded his
arms and looked calmly into the DARK
muzzle of the weapon.
"Shoot," said he; "shoot, Leroy
Beaumont. / am unarmed..
peace, gentlemenp cried a silvery
voice. s .
They looked simultaneously and be.
held Minerva Lambert standing there
in the moonlight, her tall, queenlJ
formsclad in spotIess white.
Mark lifted his hat politely, while
his rival stood stock-still, staring at
her.
Mirerve stepped proudly forward.
Mr.. Beaumont" said she, confront.
ing that gentleman, ST have Witnessed
your proceedings since you came here,
and have overheard the conversation
carried on between you and Mr.. Spen.
Ger. Sir, you have proved yourself &
william and a coward. You reviled Mr..
Spencer without cause. You were going
to shoot him v afterhe told you thai
he was unarmed. And, besides, you
told him that I was your promised
wife, which you know is false.
"You asked me this day for my heart
and hand, es also did MIR. Spencer. ]
gave neither of you o answer be-
cause l wished to carry out q little plan.
| knew nothing of your past life, sir,
nor whether you at present had the
reputation Of being good or bad. ]
could not think of joining my life to
that of one who, comparatively speak
ing, is unknown to me-.
II planned this meeting with the
hope that itmight give me an insight in.
to your true character. and I hoped not
in VAN. I desired to see your actions
on confronting your rivalhere. I have
seen. lam satisfied. Go, sir! never
speak to me again nor allow your foot
steps to wander toward my home,
which you have SO often visited as 1
wolf in sleeps clothing"
Pale and trembling, Leroy Beaumont,
listened to this speech, covering before
the accusing gaze of those flashing eyes
like q criminal receiving his sentence.
When she had finished he stood erect,
and for o moment q bitter retort seemed
to tremble on his lips. Itremained un.
spoken.
He said not a word, but turned alb
ruptly on his heel, with a contemptu.
ous toss of his head, and walked proud.
y away.
When he was lost to view in the dark
ness, Minerva turned to Mark, who had
been q silent spectator Of the little
drama that had just been performed,
and said, in a trembling voice:
MIR. Spencer, / hope you will for
give my making q tool of you for Che
execution of my stratagem, and subject
ing you to the insults Of that man"
"As to that, Miss Lambert" he re-
piled with q respectful bow, "There il
nothing to forgive"
aThank you, sir. But I cannot stay
longer. My sole purpose for request.
ing you to meet me here IS accomplish
ed. Good evening, sir"
"Stay, Miss Lambert. Shall I call
tomorrow and receive your ans wer, or
can I hear it now?"
4Not Q Tomorrow if you wish,
you may see me at home.n
And on the following day Mark