The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-01-04
A BLOODI.Ess CONFLICT.

nr;.ss:, III one OF the upper rooms at the
m;iincipal hotel at Mt. Desert, stood young
hr. oi rare and wonderful beauty, donning
%h.a aI, amor Tor the coming fray-an armor
mnose breast plate was invisible, whose
;%aspohs were hidden, but none the less
impenetrable and keen for that.
>. iler maid lad put the finishing touches
70 toilet of most artistic loye]iness. The
exquisite neck shone through a mist of lace:
Inc white, perfectly nodded arms were bare !:
.ne sunny hair was drawn in a knot low on
.ne oack OF the small, gracefully poised
mead; the deep blue eyes were black with
excitement and triumph
Inree nights before she had received
ensiienge-not an openly worded challenge,
aa Gul ,ully understood for all that. OF course
sue had accepted, though her acceptance
Nas mclt, too; but she and Jack Raymond
understood it and each other. No omore
was necessary. They required no Witness
es among the world.
g, one mad met him only the week before.
ohe had not known him ten minutes be-
sofe she felt he was one of the. few whose
lnendship she would be glad to possess
nay more, whom she would feel pride in
bringing within tho scope of her power.
VI course she would escape herself: of
tnat sic had no passing doubt. She had
pla!ed with fire too long to feai it's scorch-
lnS nov She was already iu her twenty
second year, and numberless was her VIC
tims, no one of them possessed q single
.Iophy or even momentary triumph Why
then, Feed she fear t. add fresh name to
the list?
You have henrt.p 1 should like to make
1t stir"
This had been the challenge, spoken in
o
ana the listening moon sailing ia is awak-
.enlng beauty in the ether above their
heads
Is it IN your sight so poor thing you
wish to make of it a toy?" she had ans wered
flashing one bewildered gance into his
down bent face.
Give 1t to me but for an hour, and see
the use TINT would put it to. You will
not willingly, know, but mean to make
the struggle for lis possession"
on would glory in my defeat. them"
Yes, if you choose to call it by that name.
Most women would call it victory, since for
all SO bsgrudgingly given l return to you
'enfold."
1t was strarge, a novel way of wooiue,
and it held fascination of its own Most
men had approached her as suppliants,
carefully hiding their mode of attack upon
the citadel of her affection, least she should
see and fortify it. This man boldly as
serted not only method, but laughed to
scorn her defense, in his proud confidence
that the colors which so long had foated to
the free breezes Of heaven woNld dover
themselves in obeisance before him.
1t was nonsense. OF course. 1t was eu-
dac!tv unparalleled on his part; but it was
an audaclty most charming, and Ethel
}alt IL:
through her veins, which would have
warned her already of danger, had she
known or recognized it. Alas her greatest
danger was in her perfect security.
Sne tossed now a little triumphant smile
at her own reflection in the mirror, AID
with it still lingering about the perfect rose
red lips, ran lightly down the stairs. Al
the foot he awaited Ler coming How
sure she had been that she would find him
there!
DO you know that our waltz is hall
tinished2' be asked in low tones of -.
proech. DO you know that l have be.
grudge every moment Of which you have
robbed me?"
Il have robbed myself equally" vas The
low- -murmured reply. Cannot that plead
my pardon?
For what could you sue at my hands
would not grant2' he answered.
Remember those words" she said
Some day l may remind you of them,
The next moment they were IN the merr,
maze of dancers. But thrice had the1
doated through the ro6m when the musi,
ceased. Drawing her hand within his arm
they stepped cut upon the piazza.
The moon was almost at its full now
It smiled upon them most gracious vel
come.
Her companion spoke no word, but ali,
could feel the earnest gaze of his dark eye
fixed upon her face, compelling her own n
length to meet them.
What wonderful eyes they were. HOY
full of strength. and tenderness, and low
ing purpose!
She felt tho hot bleod rush to her cheek
a commingled sense of pleasure and O
pain, vet the Later almost sweetsr than the
former. A faint glimmer of ossible DANCE
in this instant of silence dawned upon her
u fain. breath of FIRE with which she nigh
not play. A little shiver passed owe
her.
The man saw it and spoke.
Are you cold?" he questioned.
No" she said, II am afraid it was
little tremor Of cownrdice. fear as
duelst, you are too strong for me-"
Il wish ! mi ,ht be. Suppose you la
down your weapons ten, and trust m
generosity?"
II prefer to trust to that and my goo
steel, too. How like n man, to wish th
glory of conques: without the brunt' o
.attle!
"No-yeu mistake me; it is because
know the battle vii, be SO fierce and Ion
that wishto save us both the scars Q
many wounds.
"Ah, she replied, with a little, low, tril
ling largh. "Use this most wonderful con
siaention, pray, for YOURSELF. Look q
me- upraising her face, the moonligh
falling full upon its almost hawless beauty
Can you see any signs of former scars
None" he answered, "but. by the heav
en- above us, you shall yet acknowledge on
wound, which, if it leave no scar, is onl
because it refuses to heal!"
Again she shuddered, and again pair
which vet was keenest pleasure smote he
to the heart.
The days glided on. The moon fulle
and waned A month had passed sine
Jack Raymond had flung down the gaunt
let, ana she, with fearless fingers, ha
stooped and picked it up. A month! b,
what had it brought TO them both? n
longer they tested as before-no longer the
spoke of triumph or defeat; yet each kne
their blades were crossed, and they the n
selves in the hottest Of the fight.
August was nearing its close. The pleas
ant summer was almost at an end.
"The winter soon will be here" sai
Ethel, US they sauntered together, late OF
afternoon, upon the cliffs, with the 81
lashing itself fur below them into whit
.mpotsnt foam. Are YOU solrv?s...
al had not thought of it, he replied.
The ext moment the girl clapped b
hands. 49,.
aCh, look!" she exclaimed. The ne
moon. Let us wish!
An instant they stood silent, regardil
the pale crescent far above them.
"What was your wish?"she qaestone
That you would ordaln d. INA. s,erna tor me I
rions summer" he answered, earnestl
t,,,,,;r,, ona taxing both her bands.