The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-08-28
TESTING HER LOVE.
~ MINNIE IRVING.

TESTING HER LOVE.
BY MINNIE IRVING.
Without the snow was falling in large,
soft flakes, that chung to everything
with which they came in contact, until
the gate-posts looked like monument
q marbles in the dim light-for there
was . moon nearly nt the full behind
the clouds-and the snow-laden boughs
of low-branching trees seemed like
CHASTITY arms reaching out for the lone-
~ pedestrian. On the earth, in the mir,
everywhere was the whiteness, and the
stiffness, and the soitness OF the snow.
But within, what . different scene!
An astral lamp diffused . mellow light
on bookshelves, and easy-chairs, and
pictured walls, and on the beautiful
faces Of the youth and maiden who we're
the only occupants Of the pleasant room.
They we're Of such widely different type
that the strong affection sparkling in his
dark eyes and blooming in a dainty blush
on her lovely cheek was only q matter
Of course, especially when their re-
spective ages, eighteen and twenty
two were taken into consideration. He
sat beside her, his handsome head with
i'd clustering cnrls bent toward her, the
rich blood Of youth and health mantling
his cheek and his dark and brilliant eyes
beamiDg with pleasure as he listened to
her ordinations Of delight as she
bent oyer 3 bouquet Of roses he had
brought her, which lay on the white
tissue paper that had wrapped them on
her lap. They we're white roses, with q
flush Of pink in their satiny petals, and
their long flexible green stems and
glossy leaves, glittering with the crys-
tai drops Of water that had kept them
fresh upon their Wintry journey. But
the darlingsof the hot-house were not
more delicateiy lovely than she to whom
they were brought as a fitting tribute
to her beauty. She was as daintily
tinted in pink aud white as they. or as
the Dresden china shepherdess upon the
mantel, OF which she reminded one with
her fair hair. blue ewes and family flush
ed cheeks. The resemblance was furth-
Or heightened by thepink dress she wore,
the skirts Of which were short enough
LlLs-IA---t - - : f-zEk - - - 1T - ~
slippers with butterfly bows. What
wonder that the Governors son came
often to the old fashioned house among
the eln.s on the far outskirts of the city,
when 50 fair o flower as Ermidie Mus
grave was blooming into womanhood
within it's walls? She inherited her
foreign name and blonde beauty nike
from q Russian mother. whom her
father had married while an attacl,e of
the American Embassy in ST. Peters
bnrr. She was lone since lead. and her
father had aithdrawn IN his SORROW.
from the world 81 men to the world Of
books within the four walls Of his lib
rary. from which he came seldom ave
the meals. SO his DAUGHTER had been
left 10 amuse herself as best she might
in her flower garden in the Summer and
81 the brigIt-hued silks Of her EN-.
embroidery In Winter. until one day
The Governors son called on her father
on a matter Of business and saw her
pretty face.
But to return to the cos room where
on this Winter evening they were an.
loving such a delightful teta-a-tete.
t.You are always thinking Of some.
thing to nlaase me-. abe said as she
selected. q half-blown bud. shook the
water -drops from n and fastenino e in
the lace on her bosom, pointed to It, add.
ing archly: II appreciate It. Won see.a
She arose and arranged the rest Of the
roses with loving care In q tall. blue
vase, while the youth watched her
graceful movements and tender solicit
tude regarding his flowers with Kin.
ding ewes that left her until i
returned TO her seat beside him. Even
then he continued to dart admitting
chances at her from time to time. when
he deemed them unobseryed. Bnt
what glance Of admiration was aver
loat nnon a woman ? Hitherto thonoI,
thew had met al i fading az the sum
MGR and n wac sonn n;d. Winter M
word Or act Of love had passed between
thom, for the Governors son came Of
Quaker stock. and was somewhat sby
IN the presence Of the lady Of his heart,
When he rose to 90 81 this p%articnlar
evening, she also rose and extended her