The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-08-07

ence in the action.
1t is almost too beautiful to use.
SAID Florence, examining the richly in
laid sticks, the delicate blending q
color.
MY brother bought it in a little sho,
in Paris, of a little old snuff coloret
man, in a snuff-colored suit of old vel
vet-quite a picture, by-the-way. All
what delightful times we had in tina
lovely city! 1t is the city of c%ities!n
u vas there" said Florence
quietly. II have never travelled"
She was studying this woman will
that strange pathos in her dark ewes.
All! you have missed much" sale
the other, with'a sigh-"and vet, per
haps, that is better than to be tired O
1T ALL" She glanced YEARLY about
her. Gone gets at that age one want.
TO rest, don't you think? That
not saving Tn very DID," she added
naively, with a true woman's reluc,
lance to admit her years. Glow
lovely your friend, Miss Osborne, isl
she said, after Il short pause, with {
nod toward that Young lady, who wa.
still occupied with her book; "and ]
know somebody" she added, with {
bright little smile that made her darl
face charming, "whom she is treating
very ~badly-my friend, Rex Allston.
She cannot surely know his worth"
Ashock went through Florence. Here
was an opportunity, perhaps, to make il
all right between Rex and Florer ce.
Should she do it? Could she do it with.
out betraying her friend? She knew
Miss Osborne's pride-how intense i,
was-iow overpowering! She knew al
SO that she worshiped Rex Allston, and
that she would die rather than let this
woman know how she felt.
Florence forgot in that moment that
Mrs. Selby was not exactly good form
in the eyes of the guests at the hotel.
Was she a widow, or one of those N
ventional society women, who, living
apart from her husband, spent his mon.
ey lavishly? That she could be very
charming, Florence felt, and she Ger
tainly dressed with exquisite taste. 1t
was evident that she had money in
plenty, for her horses were OF the best.
her jewels the costlieSt, and her dresses
imported.
All these things, with the sayings
and surnlises of sunday people, rushed
through her brain as she sat there O
dernslt by L word she might set
things right, it would be best to saw that
word.
Mr.. Allston seems to be a very good
friend Of yours" she said, with an eff
fort to be calm that was quite appar-
emit
On, yes. dear me, yes-an old friend
why" she laughed a little amused
laugh, and very sweetly she could
laugh. II don't believe but what-it
can't be that Miss Osborne is jealous of
me. Pardon me, but the thought came
into my head. Why, my dear child, I
am ten years older than Mr.. Allston."
just there she stopped, the color
mounting to her cheeks.
We'll, [ don't wish to be misunder-
Stood" she said, contemplating, the
corners of her mouth twitching.
Then she broke into a low, amused
laugh.
Its all very odd, and you are kind
to give so much time to me. l will see
you again by-and- by-and it will all
come out right for your pretty young
friend. l should so much like her to
think well ofme!n
She 0 5 and left the room. smiling
to herself, after a bright fgooa-morn-
ing" and Florence, feeling half guilty,
was about following, when Miss Osborne
called her.
just see what a picture those yachts
make, and how blue the water is be-
yond!' Then added. in a low voice, 81
wonder at you! Do you want to get
yourself talked about?"
There is no one here" said Flor.
ence; land had there been a room full,
| should not have cared. How beauti-
fully she dresses.."
yes, she does-for a lady without
any chaperon or husband. I'm sure
she doesn't give herself out for q widow.
People wouldn't talk tor nothing. Her
friends are all gentlemen"
"ReN seems to be the only one," said
Florence.
"Oh. Rex is nothing to mel" said
Miss Osborne, tossing her shapely
head; but there was a spasm at her
heart which Florence could not see by
any outward sign.
That evening Rex and Mrs. Selbv
on the shore. The sun was setting
III a sea OF motion gold; the sky glowed
crimson; the wave We're crusted with q
thousand gorgeous tints.
Affair." off the hotel band was PLAYING
sweet Italian air: groups we're
standing near the payalion, waiting for
the dancing to begin. The young man
moody and thoughtful.
lex, what has come over YOU of
asked Mrs. Selby, as the two
moved down the long reach of sand.
Last night noticed you took quite
much wine. Remember the fam
lily failing, my dear boy; remember
.Charlie--that lonely grave in the little
ground at Nice"
"1es; and it was II woman then"
said the young fellow gloomily. MY
would have been alive to-day
for that miserable girl who led
aim on and then Tilted him. l hate all
women!"
Lam afraid Miss Osborne is not
OF you, dear" said the woman,
-elluerlS.
Perhaps not. I cannot help loving
Ter all the same, though he said, in a
tone.
II have heard she is a hirt. Do you
it?"
81 don't know what to believe, I
only know that Hove her." was his re-
ply.
Are you sure she is not Jealous of
asked the woman, smiling archly.
Absurd" lie said, with a little
augh.
COZ course--that's the way it looks to
she said, her eyes growing sad.
And II love you too we'll to see you
Unhappy. l should never have come
Don't be foolish, Laura-and yet, I
Won have piyen me flo claw IN |