The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-03-21
FURNISHED ROOMS. :"
nr ELLEN WHITNEY CLARK.

out, and ready to drop down right now.
Lets give it up and go home Dol"
Mrs. Laurel famed herself as she
painted breathlessly on after her daugh-
ter, whose step was still as elastic and
springy as if she had not spent the
morning roaming the streets in search
of furnished rooms"
"Just little further, ma; only three
blocks" she cried, cheerfully pausing
Tor her mother to catch up with her.
"See. This is the advertisement I cut
out of to-day's paper:
DOR RENT-FOUR ROOMS, FURNISHED:
T. water, gas, etc. Marble mantel in parlor,
Proprietor reserves his own rooms, and would
like to board with parties renting desiring
only breakfast and tea, with Sunday dinner, in
lieu of rent
"Won't that be nice? Just what we
wanted, you see."
''But we won't get it, you'll see, Lii
d." groaned the mother still painting
as her daughter hurried her along.
It'll be like all the others-'just tax
en- or they don't rent to ladies' or"
1--WE can try, anyway" persisted Lii
da, hopefully. ''And-here it is, ma.
Look! Stone steps and silver door-bell
How nice!"
And Lida rang the bell, shook the
tlust from her black dress-for both
ladies were in mourning-and looked
up to confront the owner, Mr.. Campion,
a rather stout, elderly gentleman, with
the unmistakable look of a bachelor.
He eyed the ladies warily.
"Rooms? Yes, they were for rent !;
but"
"Only see, ma. Velvet paper on the
walls, and dado" cried Lida. March
ing boldly into the parlor, which stood
wide open, "And bay window!
Well take them, of course, ma, and
DO you desire references, sir2 We
want rooms Immediately" ~.
Mr.. Campion started, somewhat as
founded at such sided way of do
ing business. He was an old bachelor,
and had all the prim, old fashioned ideas
indigenous to the "lonely brotherhood. {"
But Llda looked so bright and piquant,
her hair was so fluffy and haxen-the
very color Mr.. Campion admired most
her cheeks looked SO pink, and her
eyes so bright and sparkling, that he
felt his scruples vanishing like dew be-
lore the morning sun,
Besides, they were ladies, unmistaka-
ably, and
''Do you desire references ?' demanded
Lida again. Because"
"Yes--no!" stammered Mr. Campion.
"I-"
He hesitated.
I'VE could refer you" began Mrs.
Laurel; but he interrupted her.
Lida's eyes had sparkled mischiev-
oualy at him from under her faxan
"bangs," and Mr. Campion at once de-
cided that references We're not Unnecessary.
"Only there ure no-no children, I
suppose?" he hesitated turning very red,
and addressing Mrs. LAUREL Ill
really couldn't, you know. Children
are 50 destructive and-and noisy
Mrs. Laurel blushed little herself.
81 my danghter,"e : she staanlnered,
looking neryonsly at Lida
'sMy mother has no children but me!'
asserted the young lady, saucily. "I
won't be very destructive or-or noisy,
STRIP
''Dear me, no--of course not" assem-.
ted Mr.. Champion, rejecting her smile.
'sAnd-so and So"
".Soit's all settled z cried Lida, ssand
we'll come this afternoon. Breakfast
and tea you said, I think? Very we'll !;
we can have tea for you tonight, then. -
And Ida tripped away, followed
more slowly by her mother, while Mr..
Cnmpion stared after them as far as he
could see, then locked the door and
went meditatively up stairs.
rIhank goodness, the rooms are rem
ted at last!" he commented, with sigh
of relief, and now / can. attend to bus
mess again.
And that night, as he drank his ten,
with Mrs. Laurel presiding at the table
and Lida sitting opposite, chatting gaily
as he dished the canned peaches Oh
passed the iced pound cake, Mr.
Campion congratulated himself on
his good fortune.
So much nicer than going to a res
taurant," he thought, with stiff-lookine
walters bringing what you order, and
nobody to talk to, while you swallow
your yictuals and get away as fast as
you can. 1t is rather lonesome being
an old bachelor, after all, he concluded
II don't see how I've stood it SO long"
And that night Mr. Giles Campior
talmbled uneasily on his pillow, hi
dreams disturbed by radiant visios
with blue eyes and Haxen hair, ant
cheeks like scarlet azaleas.
The weeks that followed were like
dream of Paradise, and it was not Ions
until he had determined to risk his fate
not exactly on the hazard of a die, bu
upon the uncertain chance of winning
"Yes!" from that pair Of willful, scarlet
red lips:
4 "When stars are in the quiet skies,
Then must pine for thee;
/ Bend on me, then, thy tender eyes,
i As stars look on the seal
/ It was Lida's clear voice, singing til
well-known words, and Mr. Giles Can,
| pion took it as a favorable augury t