The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-05-08

and violent. The two aunts began to
feel that unless they took part at last,
the match would indeed never be
made.
"What would Ralph do ?" asked Miss
Merdith, after her friend had picked up
the dropped stitches on her purse and
was crocheting vigorously again. He
has done nothing to apologize for,
OF that I am quite sure!"
But he might speak to Lillian!
He avoids her s%tudiously; they
have not met since the evening
of the sociable to talk and laugh and
be friendly together. What a she dol
not beg of him to come back! No, in.
deed, a woman's pride can cause her to
suffer a great deal before she will hum
bly, ask the question swhy?' in the
matter of a little misunderstanding like
this; I know all about it," and Miss
Moseby shook her head sadly.
"You, my dear?" said Miss Meredith,
looking up from her woods curiously in
to her friends face.
Eyes, I-were it not for my pride-I,
to-day, might be a happy wife, aye,
more, mother too; for then Harry Rich,
that handsome officer, who was our
guest the night of the party, would
have been my SOM" and Miss Moseby's
| eyes filled.
"Your son! what do you mean ?" and
Miss Meredith drops her crewels in her
motion of surprise.
"Why, l was engaged to be mar
ried to Lieutenant Rich's father
when I was a very young girl; we too,
had q misunderstanding, which o word
might have righted; we too, were both
too proud to speak Of it-and he went
Miss Moseby."
There was rustling of newspaper in
the adjoining room, and as Miss Nose
by ended her recital, Ralph Meredith
walked into the little sitting-room pale
to the lips.
ct beg your pardon" said he, in a
low, tremulous voice, "but Miss Nose
by, 1 could not help overhearing your
words just now. were you engaged to
Lieutenant Rich's father"
eyes, why do you ask? replied Miss
Moseby, looking surprised enough at
the question.
And your niece, Lillian, is she en-
gagged to the lieutenant? ?" said an eager
voice.
mo, certainly not; Lillian, is engaged
to nobody; are you crazy"
mo, but I have been almost crazy
and quite a fool. Miss Moseby, Auntie
tell me, you are a woman, and l am a
foolish boy; does a woman know when
n man is in love with her, without his
telling her?"
The two women looked at one anoth-
er.-should they reveal to this man the
secrets of their sex?
Miss Mosebv broke the silence. "U
she Is not in love with the man she
does, but there is that tender humility
about a woman's affection, but when
her own heart be touched, she wonders
that the man she loves. can think OF
such as she!"
"Thank YOU" he said, and in an in
slant left the room.
The two women looked at one anoth-
er again, nodded their heads, took up
together.
That same evening, after the two
maiden ladies had rome to church, Lii
ian Moseby was not a little startled and
surprised to see Ralph Meredith walk
into their private parlor, as of old.
She was sitting under the gaslight
making paper flowers, lilies for the
Easter decorations. She o quickly as
he came toward her, and in a timld tone,
said:
81 am glad to see ~you-alone,'
he began, hesitatingly. II am go
ing away came to say good,
bye-I-I love you; 1 have wronged
you in my thoughts, I have been madly
jealous and doubted your truth and
goodness, but love you" He came {
step nearer. She did not speak, but the
color came and went in her cheeks.
"Will you not say one word; that yor
forgive? lam waiting, Lillian?
She lifted her eyes, and they were
luminous with a light he had never seel
before. but she smiled archly as she an
swered:
clad you not best beware Ralph
He opened his arms as he replied, in
holder tone:
II cannot say more than that ] Low,
you. Will you permit me?" coming sill
closer.
She put out her hand for an answer
and he folded her to his heart.