The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-10-17
his FAYORITE FLOWER.

green of its leaves expanding with almost trop-
Cal luxuriance of growth. No petted ~favorite
Of the greenhouse ever, throve more deter
minediy, for it took its stand on the good old
democratic platform, and grew just as vigor-
onsly in that low-ceiled room as if it we're the
conservatory Of a ducal palace.
The fire in the chimney leaped and fell fit
fully with the uncertain gusts of wind that
walled round the lonely house, and sent the
rcd leaves whirling down the road. The sky
was gray ard cheerless, save where q belt OF
lnrid gold above the western woods marked the
coming of the sullen November sunset; and an
indescribable something of the contagious mel
ancholy in earth, air, and sky seemed to have
drifted down on Annie Wilton's heart, as she
lay on the chintz-covered sofa beside the fire,
her lsrgeb brown eyes half-closed, and the needle
lying idly on the delicate strip of rutfiing with
which she had been busying herself.
Was she pretty, do you ask me9 Well, that
depends entirely upon ones idea of prettiness
of color, freshness, rosy bloom, she had none.
Do you call a pale anemone, a fragile violet, OF
acolorless statue beautiful? Or all these things,
Anne Wilton might have reminded one, as she
lay there, white and still, the brown braids fall.
ing around her oval cheeks, and the small
hands crossed upon her breast.
"My goodness, Aune, the fires all going out
and here you are half aslcep!"
Anne opened her eyes and became ~oognizant
or the bustling presence of u rosy, dimpled
damsel, with cheeks like winter apples, and
black, roguish eyes, who threw fresh coal upon
the fire, gave tho hearthrug an adjusting shake
and hustled round the room with infectious
activity. ifs2 % s
sBetter tonight, Anne?"' she asked sudden
ly pausing beside the chintz sofa, as o bird
might light abruptly on the branch of a tree
for she was not unlike a bird in her quick
motions and easy grace, this bright-eyed little
maiden.
81 shall be better very soon, Grace?" said the
sick girl, evasively, taking Grace Warren's rosy
inquire for letters at the postofice, as you
came by?"
Yes; but there We're no letters, of course
Anne was silent a moment, and the unshed
tears trembled on her lashes.
Grace, she said softly, edo you remember
that it is three years ago to-day since-since
Alfred wont away"
Remember it?--of course 1 do; and I've moi
q bit of patience when rememberit. To think
how he has thrown us all aside, the friends OF
his youth and poverty, like out-grown gar
ments, now that he has become a prosperous
Nv Gblo u ldtlAotl5 u1dn. . tAlll ITO a GNSU
forgotten you, Anne, his promised wife!"
Flush, dear!! There was no formal engage
ment between u.s."
81 DOM care!!" calculated Grace, with spark
ling eyes; the compact was none the less
sacred in Heavens eyes; and if Alfred Courte.
nay marries that rich heiress people talk about
don turn 30 pale, Anne-surely the room is
too warm. Shall I call your mother?"
"No; l am better now" said Anne, trying ia
smile. sit was only a momentary faintness."
know what is is" said Grace, nodding he,
wasn't healthy to keep that large geranium in
the window. Those spreading branches and
clusters Of flowers absorb every breath of
fresh air. Let me take it up stairs, Anne?"
"Notfor tho world, dear" said Anne, earnest
ly, 81 would not miss the sight of its cheer
full lower for anything earth can give. Alfred
brought it to me when it was q little sprip
scarcely two inches high, and he always used
to say that its bright blossoms in the window
seemed like a welcome to him in the winter
evenings, when t tE.atg
Anne's voice broke down here, and she turned
her cheek to the pillow, crying quietly. Grace
said nothing, only stroked her friends brown
hair with a touch that was full Of unspoken
sympathy. She knew that tears were Anne's
best medicine just then.
And so we leave the two young girls in the
red glinting of the freight and the chill CLEAN
of the November sunset, and turn to q far diff
ferent scene. @
Mrs. Montague Frances vase at home"-'at
home" amid blazing chandeliers, hot-house
taponicas, and gilded ceilings, to her dear five
hundred friends in brocades and jewels. The
mansion was in a glow from cellar to basement
long lines of carriages were setting dow
the fashionable world at the carpeted door
steps-and the band had just struck up q ma
zurka, when Mr.. Courtenay lounged into the
salon. s 80
'There's your fascinating young lawyer,
Madelon,' whispered a blooming matron in
black velvet and diamonds.
And Madelon Frances turned her stately
head, while the deep rose-colors uffused her
check and brow.
The hostess beautiful daughter was q brill
liant brunette; the liquid ~softness of her jet
black eyes and clear, dark skin made you think
OF something almost imperial in the curve OF
her small rose-red mouth. Her dress was OF
simple white muslin, without a solitary orna-
ment, and amid the shining profusion OF her
raven locks were twisted two or three vivid
blossoms of the scarlet geranium.
Nor was she the only one in the throng who
noticed Courtenay's entrance. A "rising man, "
his brilliant talents had already constituted
circles, and he was greeted on all sides by
welcoming words. $3.50 ta4
"Here comes Contemporaries when he
means to propose?" hnguidly remarked an ex-
quisitely-dressed sprig of the %jeunesse doree.
"Propose-to whom" asked his companion.
"Why, to Miss Madelon, of course. 1t is
pretty plain that she likos him; and he would
be a fool to hesitate ut the chance Of obtaining
= beautiful wife and q fortune at the same
time. Lucky fellow, that" at4t
well, !, for one, never could see what the
ladies find to. admire in Courtenay," remarked
the other, misanthropically, lowering his
voice as the gentleman in question passed by.
HHallo! what's the matter? He isn't i'll, il
hey"
For C%ourtenay had paused suddenly, with a
ukray ~ s,o snw 1soI Ia = L..
ys fell upon. Miss Frances beautiful profile.
''Tell me" he said turning to Colonel Ander-
on, who stood close by, and speaking in a
husky whisper, what flower is that Miss
Frances wears in her hair?"
'Flower?" repeated Anderton, leaning q lit
lie forward to get q glimpse of the young lady
lpoken OF. .'ifWhy, scarlet geranium, of course;
md very becoming it is to her Andalusian
lyle! But you are not IL, Courtenay? Shall
get you . glass OF wine?"
sNo; 1 am perfectly we'll" returned Court
bnay, speaking in q strange, unnatural tone.
For an instant the brilliant confusion of the
ballroom seemed to have ebbed from sight,
nd he saw only the wide old farmhouse kit
:hen. with its low ceiling, and-oh, best re.
nembered of all-Anne Wilton's seraph face,
IONS, as she gazed down the darkened road,
Watching for his coming form! All the miste
VI sophism and worldly pride melted from
sround his breast, and he saw himself as he
vas-a recreantlover-a cold blooded deceiver!
ut is not yet too late!" he murmured in
Eardly. Great heavens and could it be pos
tble that 1 could have contemplated marrying
b woman ! never loved, merely for her wealth
and position? Oh, Anne, my first and only
love, help me to prove true to- myself and
heel"
'Going Courtenay-and SO earlyl Why, you
ave not even spoken to Miss Frances 2
CALCULATED Colonel Anderton, in establishment
IS IDS friend turned to leave the room.
II must go. | have just remembered bust
less of the utmost importance" said Courte-
lay in hurried and constrained accents.
Make my excuses to the ladies-and my
ldieus, also, il you will be 80 kind, Colonel
find myself obliged to leave town for IN III.
definite period OF tlme.'
Before Colonel Anderton could recover
breath to ask the meaning of this strange
!reak, Alfred Courtenay had left ther oomand
ihe house.