The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-04-25

out, but he had not felt inclined to, and
he gallantly said he was glad to be in,
as he should have been sorry indeed to
have missed seeing Miss Bright.
And so you are really going to leave
us?" he said, and almost regretfully,
too. We'll you will be very much
missed. / don't know what the Bran
dons will do"
They will not miss me more than I
shall them and the brave little woman
made an effort that her voice should not
sound shaky; "but you know, Mr.. Bin
ney, l am not growing younger, am II"
No. said he, shat is true. / was
saying the very same to myself o fmyself,
only to-day"
Yes, onlywith mon il does not seem
to matter, but with women the thought
always comes, with o little shudder,
that when we get old and want a little
quiet and rest, and q comfortable arm
chair by the fire, there is a doubt wheth-
er we shall be able to get them"
Mr. Binney did not answer, and, fear
ing she was saying too much about her
own feelings, she altered her tone,
which had been a little sad, and went
on in her usual cheerful way:
But then I ought to feel so thankful
that this opening has been made for me.
l told them that l knew something
would come; it has always done SO; /
have always been SO lucky"
Its your happy disposition makes
you say SO, my deer Miss Bright; a
cheerful spirit shortens the longest day.
| wish 1 could follow your example. I
often feel condemned at my want of con-
tentment-of gratitude, fought to a y "
But that Miss Bright would not allow.
She reminded Mr.. Binney of the many
kind actions he had done, and in her
own quiet way thanked him for The
thoughtful present he had sent to her.
No. no, no, now you must not speak
OF that" MI. Binney hastily interrupted
her; and to give a turn to the conversa-
ton, he said she must have some tea, "
and, ringing to order it, he hoped she
could stay.
well, yes she thought she could
spare time for that-indeed, to be plain,
she was not in such q very great hurry.
The fact had been that Joe had had an
unexpected holiday, and she saw that,
only for her being there, he had come
home to go out somewhere with Sally.
$50 l hope that little fb I told you
will be forgiven me, for when I said that
l was wanted at home. although it was
quite true perhaps, 1 need not but for
that have left quite so early. But it was
SO nice Of Joe to come home. / do love
to see husbands and wives companions
to each other"
"Ah, indeed, yes; that is the object of
matrimony, too often, 1 fear, lost sight
OF in our day, by the young and the
old, too"
But Miss Bright did not agree. ssNo
she knew so many united couples.
There were the Brendons now" but at
this moment the tea was brought in,
and Miss Bright asked should she pour
it out. Her offer was accepted. "Only,"
said Mr.. Binney, "you must take off
your cloak, or you won't feel the good
of it when you go; and your bonnet,
too, wouldn't you be more comfortable
without tbat?"
Miss Bright said "no," she would not
take her bonnet off.
Haven't q cap with you, / suppose"
said the old gentleman slyly.
eyes, indeed / have-a present from
~Sally-and a very becoming one, too"
Put it o then and let me pass my
opinion"
Miss Bright hastened to obey, and
when she came for his inspection the
smile on her face and the soft pink in
her cheeks made her look ten years
younger.
well" she said, "now what do you
think of it?"
II think if you take my advice you
will never wear any other"
Really she laughed softly; "but it is
for high days and holidays, you know!"
and she tiptoed to look in the chimney
glass, saying that it certainly was a very
pretty cap, and then sat down to pour
out the tea. 1.-The best tea things" she
said admiringly; 81 am SO fond of pref
ty china!" And then, searching in the
sugar basin, she added: "Ihave notfor-
gotten that you like two Jumps ofsugar,
you see."
Mr. Binney smiled complacently; \
feeling of well-being and comfort took
possession ofhim.
OF acertainty it was very pleasant to
have a congenial somebody to bear
n company-one who could talk well,
listen we'll and hold her tongue well, if
necessary. Experience had assured him
Of that. Miss Bright possessed each
ofthese good qualities. When she had
stayed there when Mrs. Binney was first
ill, their evenings had passed pleasantly,
and recalling the things they had done,
he asked:
DO you often play chess now?"
"No. never"
"Cribbage, backgammon?
Give no one to play with. That is
one thing in my going away" and she
swallowed a sigh-"my evenings will be
less lonely"
"Ah, yes; I find the time very long
after dinner. I don't like to go to bed
before half-past ten, although I often
feel inclined to-"
"And the days draw in SO quickly now
there is no afternoon-it is all evening,
which reminds me that it is getting time
for me to go, for it takes me quite an
hour to get to the station
mot in acab?"
mo, but 1 am going to walk; it is
quite fine and dry, and if I feel tired
atthe Conway road / shall wait at the
corner for the omnibus passing"
Miss Bright began to put on her bon
net. Mr.. Binney walked to the window;
for a minute he looked out, then he rang
the bell.
IT shall go as far as the Conway road
with YOU
"Oh, Mr.. Binney! No, pray don't
think of such a thing; it might give you
a cold, and there isn't the slightest oc-
casion-I am so accustomed to go about
alone"
But Mr.. Binney remained firm; his
hat and coat we're brought to him; and
away the two GOT off fonakhar Thax