The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-10-17
THE BRiyEST ARE NoDLRST.

me in this; you will not dance with
Captain Lemore again?"
SBut I will, aClarenee;I have prom
ised him the very next waltz, and he's
a splendid dancer! And why should 1
not be as civil to him rs to others? He
is q gentleman"
If he was, he would never have made
you the subject of al unmanly boast,
Lena; refuse him all dances to- night,
il for no other reason, because L ask it;
because you are the one love Of my life,
Lena!" ~.
The brown eyes Of the girl softened,
and she laid one white hand on his; the
light fell gently upon the two young
faces, n so fair and proud, the other
dark and wondrous lovely, as Clarence
Amherst lifted the white hand to his
lips;sand then, before LENA Dale could
give the promise that trembled on her
tongue, a light foot fall sounded on the
marble of the conservatory floor, and q
tall, military figure advanced toward
them. 2 81
Miss Dale. our waltz" he spoke in
clear tones that told Of habit Of COM
mand and the girl, with a sudden move
ment. drew her hand from the clasp of
her lover and, with q warm color on her
dark cheek laid it upon his arm-the
newcomers. s y
The act was prompted by a sudden,
uncomfortable shyness, as she met the
captains cool, alf-surprised glance she
had no intention of dancing with him.
and yet, how could she now decline
when her hand was on his arm and he
was leading her away?
A mofnent later and Clarence, who
had followed to the door of the ball
room, saw her gliding through the
waltz with the man, who was his rival,
md paled to his very lips.
"You wishyour engagement broken?
You hold my conduct as blame-worthy?
Sir, it is unfortunate thatyou allow me
to see now-before too late-how ty-
%rannical you can bel Consider the
words unsaid that bound us. Here is
your ring.
Tall and beautiful, with flashing
dusky eyes, and swiftly-pulsing bosom,
she stood before Clarence; and, draw
ing OF the cleaning circlet that adorned
her hand, offered it to him.
LENA, beloved, you do not under
stand! I but wish to spare you future
modification! Let me explain
Captain Lemore is waiting. lam to
dance with him. You will excuse me
from the boredom of incorporate
speeches at present. All, Captain Lee
more!" 10
Clarence took no notice of the tall,
handsome captain WHO gave him a care
less nod as, drawing Lena's hand through
his arm, heled her away-that peculiar,
foreign face was anything but bea utiful
in his sight Just then.
"Leave e3hereia moment. Captain
Lemore, if You please: and I wish you.
would bring me an ice"
II will be back in a moment. Are
you comfortable there? I have been.
selfish in urging you to dance so often,
but l shall ask nov only the last waltz.
I may have that, may I not?" Hi
Lena smded indifferently, as she
leaned back in her curtained corner and
gave a languid assent. The tall Cap
ain pressed the hand lie had been
nolding and vanished, leaving her be-
mind the falling curtain, completely
hidden f1om sight.
Captain Lemore will win his wager"
said a voice just without her hiding
place; she made = bet to-day with
Gray and Vane that he would dane five
waltzes with Miss Dale, and he has
danced four already. Half of the men
present know, of the wager and all
look for him to fail"
"Butmatters look as if he was going
70 win," said another Voice. II wonder
what Amherst will say when he hears;
I learned to-day that he is engaged to
Miss Dale" M 81
If he is he, ought to call the captain
out; I would in his placel"
A low laugh reached Lena for reply
IS the two friends moved away ; and sho'
crushed the spray of crimson flowers in
her white hand till they were a mass Of
shapeless leaves; The red Of indignant
pride surging to her dark cheek. III
But Captain Lemore was instantly at
her side, holding a tiny salver with the
ice he had been sent for. 81
Captain Lemore," the girls voice
Il US low ulp CAc0I Us u 6kkSeEl UGlk. DIG
moved slightly, 80 that her great mid
night eyes rested fairly on his face.
"Captain Lemore, I have always looked
among the bravest for the noblest. Was
I -ightg'
The captain smiled as he drew o tiny
table to her side and placed the snlver
on it. Then stood before her towering
high in his handsome strength.
eThe bravest should be noblest," he
said. still smiling. Always think them
,so, Miss Dale" d
"And yet men call you brave, Cap
tain Lemore!"
A sudden wave of color swept his
cheek at her words. a
"And you are SO. I have heard of
the gallant charge at Il, which won
your laurels; have read your name,
along with the names of those who led
brayely and1ed in the cause Of God and
the nation. Why, then, did YOU trail
the glory of such a manhood in the
dust to-day by q boasting wager, in
which q woiaan's name was spoken?
Why, when / so admired you III the past,
must / despise You in the future?" z
The red wave had nov receded, and
his flint, face was white as death; he
folded his arms across his broad chest
and looked down upon her with dark,
burning eyes. AZ al n IA s.
1T q unmanly," he said, slowly;
"unmauly and ignoble! Beyond your
pardon, surely; and Jet you do not know
the circumstances under which it was
made" :.