The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-12-04
"COOD. MIGHT And GOOD.BY.'
From tho Companion.

From tho Companion
"SEe is good friend to you, Janet"
Gertle Armstrong said to her friend in
dignantly, "and you ought not to turn
her into ridicule Ii o person was as
kind and generous to me as old Miss
Harding is to you, I would bite my
tongue off before I'd laugh at her"
"That's because you don't know her
as l do" Laughed pretty Janet Gorden.
She is so full of queer, old-fashioned
notions and ways, that she might as
well have come down from her grand
mothers portrait. Why, if 1 didn't
laugh sometimes, people would think I
admired her, or was like her"
"They may think worse things. They
may think you malicious or migrate
full"
"Well, I can't help it if they do. I
don't deny that I'm glad to get away
from this wretched hole where ma is
always grumbling, and the babies are
always crying for Miss Harding's house
is beautiful. as you know, and she takes
me out into society and all that. But
why don't she keep me with her alto
gether? That's one of her ridiculous
notions. She says no child ought to be
taken from parent, particularly from
q widowed mother. Nonsense? AS if
my widowed mother wouldn't be to hap
py to part with me-"
Gertie was disguised and remained
silent.
ooh, I can see what you think, Miss
Prim," cried Janet. "You know I don't
set up for being good and sensible as
you do. I only care for being amused
and having pretty dresses"
Eyes. you certainly have plenty Of
those"
"Pretty dresses? Yes, of course, or I
couldn't go out with her. Do you know
l believe she's glad of an excuse to go
out, and to have company at home.
And when the excuse happens to be so
good looking and attractive she said
with little laugh" well. it's a kind of
reflected glory, don't you see? Like a
handsome piece of furniture!"
'Yon do her injustice" Gertie an
swered gravely. "When Miss Harding
lost her twin sister-her only near rel
ative-Ive heard my mother say she
didn't go into society at all, and it's q
painful effort for her to do so now"
Janet fairly screamed with laughter.
"Why, she lost her sister long before
I was born. at least nineteen
years ago. To be sure she whimpers
whenever she speaks of her, but as for
pain, just look at her dress. will you
Blazing red poppies, or small sunfow
crs, IN green velvet bonnet, and pop
pies in her bouquet, or wherever she
can stick them. And then, that greer
velvet dress, and her yellow weazer
FACET makes her look like an ole
witch. But I suppose next, you'll try
and persuade me she dresses IN perfect
taste.
"No, 1 did not speak of her dress
which should not weigh with any one
who knows what a good, benevolen
woman she is.
ooh, you can preach!" cried Jane
pettishly. "But you don't go out Will
her and see people giggling and punch
ing each other, as she passes"
II am very sure they don't laugh t.
her face" Gertie said sarcasticallv
"Shes too rich for people to insult her
She loves yon, and besides you are {
kind of relative, and it wouldn't be ou
of place for you to give her hint abou
her dress. Why don't you tell he
kindly that it is not becoming?"
Catch me doing anything so stupid
She'd never forgive me. When sh
does ask my opinion, it's to have nj
admire her things, not find fault witt
them. She's as vain and credulous a
she can be-"
"Is it possible you don't feel an
gratitude?" Gertie asked, gazing cum
ously at the pretty. mocking face.
"Gratitude? Well, of course, Tr
overwhelmed by her favors. If don't
she'd stop giving them quickly enough
I'm sure of that. But don t mind tellin
you, that playing grateful is awful
tiresome work. Besides there isn't s
very much obligation, after all. W
are distantly related, and she's as ric
as Cresus, while my folks are pou
enough, goodness knows Why shouldn
some of her money be spent on me
Besides she's fond of young people, an
if she hadn't taken me up, she'd hay
taken some other girl. As for affection
that's not in the compact"
NO" thought Gerty, indignant,
"that is not likely to be in any compa,
you could make. You haven't change
bit since we were at school togethe
y Selfish, cold hearted, and treacherou
you must always be, and I'm ashame
j. of myself for liking you, and calling yc
: nv friend"
Ignorant of Gertie's, thought
:. Janet kissed her as she ro
a as she rose to go, and said amicably, "I'
afraid I've shocked you dreadfully, b,
;. it's such comfort to be able to Ia
: freely to safe friend about things tn
Ut are unpleasant. You and Wilson Griswo
are the only two people in the world
n. whom l really confide."
=, "Wilson Griswold!" exclaimed Ge
tie pausing, with her hand on the doc
"Why, he Is as treacherous and lin