The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-08-07
REX AllSr0N'S APOLOGY.
BY Il DESl,oS

pi hLS I)ENlSoS. -
From Frank Leslie's Fact and Fiction.
so You think I am trifing with
Don?" And Miss Osborne lifted her
dark eyes from the book she was read
ing.
The two women-both young, both
heautiful-were the only occupants of
the hotel parlor. 1t was an early hour
in the day.
81? Why, I haven't spoken a word
since you haze been in herc!" said
Florence Alden, surprised.
"Oht am one of the sensitives. Won
Know, and can read peoples thoughts,
SO they say. l know what YOU are
thinking of. Il"
~ guilty conscience needs no ac-
cuser," said Florence, lightly. How
could help thinking of Rex"
ooh. yes, R~ex-alwavs Rex" said
Miss Osborne, 4 ripple Of passion run
nlnG through her rich, even tones.
You don't know anything about it,
Florence. Ii he will go with that wo-
man-whv. it is simple terrible, the
way she dirts. A little signal with her
tan brings him to her side, no matter
where he is. 1 wouldn't like to tell
you some things l have seen. Why will
he persist in paying her so much atten-
ton? We all know she is not good
form. Doyou suppose l will let my
name be coupled with herr"
And Miss Osborne, now white and
trembling, bent lower over her book.
She was evidently laboring under o n
strong excitement.
You say, we all know she is not good
FORM" said Florence, without quite up-
Outstanding all the words imply. Yot,
must speak for yourself. / don't know
it. like her. l am only conscious of
pleasure when Hook at or talk with her.
Besides, she must be eight or ten years
older than Rex. | neve saw anything
tomake me think he was in love with
her
IF You haven't, l have" said Miss
Osborne. with concealed pain in her
voice. "And when ] limited my suspi-
cion, howangry lie was! To besure, he
tried to explain. but l was angry then.
Rex has behaved shamefullv, and l will
never forgive him"
but what proof have you that Mrs.
Selby is not what she seems?" asked
Florence. is it the mere they say of
o hotel c%oterie. or have YOU heard some
thing definite to her disadvantage, 2"
"Why there's proof enough, to my
mind" said Miss Osborne. "You know
as well as l do that she holds herself
aloof from the company here, as if she
We're afraid of us, and l don't consider
that a good sign. Then she not exactly
out dresses us all, but her taste is per-
feet, and her clothes are all made of
the very richest materials. 1t seems to
NE flat she dresses to please herself
solely, and that is the proof of a selfish
character. There is something about
her different from all the women here,
and-well, simply, l don't like her. I
detest her. Then you will always no.
tice that she generally avoids gentlemen,
never dances, and I fancy, she puts on
that woebeSone look sometimes Just to
make herself seem interesting.
"les, but il she doesn't try to attract
the gentlemen, as you say she does not,
l think you have failed to make on a
case. 10 me she seems Il quiet, SIMPLE
lady. very sweet and modest"
She does try to attract one of them"
said Miss Osborne, in almost dramatic
tones; land I have learned to beware
OF these sweet, simple people. Still
waters run deep. Well, Rex may have
her." she added. a touch of bitterness
in her voice; II don't want him"
and poor Don may take his place,
to be yictimized in his turn" said Flor
ence.
How solcitous you are for the well
fare of poor Dom" said Miss Osborne.
pitiiesSl,y, as she watched the red come
and go in the sweet face of her compan-
ion.
You have no right to talk in that
manner" said Florence, trying to speak
calmly, However, you are angry now
and Don't know what you are saying"
Have either OF you ladies seen a
stray FAM" a low voice broke in.
Miss Osborne looked up, colored, and
moved toward the window, without
speaking. Florence responded p~olite-.
~, and began to help in the search.
WAS it valuable? ?" she asked.
"VerY, on account OF the associations
connected with it," was the answer.
at was a gift from my brother-andh he
is dead"
The woman who spoke was small and
in figure, with Il pale, dark com
and great, laaguid, Southern
eyes. Sic wore Il rich costume Of pale
amber silk, trimmed with velvet
much too costly. Miss Osborne said,
with a wild unreasoning anger in her
for that time of day. But Mrs.
vas very rich rs well as very
handsome, and it was her pleasure to
surround herself at all times with the
Injuries of dress and eduipage. If
was q fault, she could at least afford
it.
Strange" thought Florence, as she
stole a glance at Kate Osborne, chat
should be so absurdly jealous of
this woman. who, it is patent, is neither
young nor happy, Miss Osborne is a
deal more beautiful than Mrs.
though she is lovely, too, in a
different way. Oh, you have found
your fan!' she sad aloud. as the lady
smilingly toward her.
"1es, | found it in the piano. on the
Rex-Mr. Allston, / mean. had
1t last night, she continued. a slight
confusion in her manner II was play
for him, and he famed me; then, l
suppose, laid it down and we both for