The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-12-18

"dart has certainly become diScour-
aged and transferred his attentions
elsewhere
"And wclcome,' reply, lightly,
but mendaciously, for, truth to tell, l
find as tho days go by that l miss his
quiet, unobstrusive presence more
than could think possible.
Mr. De We're continues his attentions
to my cousin, Notwithstanding auntie
frowns upon him most decidedly. Hc
has not lived long in this vicinity, and
while here his conduct has been ire
proachablc. but of late vague rumors
have reached her ears of Il career in
the past which would not bear inspec-
ton.
But Ethel refuses to hear aught
against him, and stands up bravely for
her lover.
How pretty she looks when she is
indignant! surely it would be no hard
matter to fall in love with my beauti-
ful cousin, even if her face were her
only fortune! But that all Raoul Dc
We're cares for is her money, l am con
vlnced rs l looked into his shallow,
false face
Oh, if | could only lend her my eyes!
Time goes on until at length comes
an evening to which both Ethel and |
have been looking forward with pleas
urahlo anticipations.
OF all our friends, Mrs. Fairfax
knows best how to entertain, and it is
at her charming home that tonight a
grand ball is to be he'd.
But alas! evening finds me laid up
with q toothache, every nerve racked
with a distr"cting pain, and my cheek
swollen far beyond the bounds of
comcliness.
"You must not think of staying
home, | say, peremp,orily, as Ethel
proposes giving up her pleasure. I'm
deed you shall not. Go-one martyr
is enough
She goes, a dream of lovelinoss in
her maidenly tulle and pearls, while |
90 too-to bed.
AT last sleep comes 10 my relief, and
it is very late, or rather early, when |
am awakened by Elhel's kiss upon my
cheek.
''How's my toothache? Oh, it is bet
ter. How did you enjoy yourself,
| dear?' asked, sitting up and rubbin g
my eyes slecpi!y.
Ethel's answer is not rs enthusiastic
rs should expect, and notice what
q strange look her face has. Not thus
does my pretty cousin, who has never
| experienced what it is to be wall.
flower, usually return from a party.
! Were it not absurd | should surely
think she had been crying.
kiss her good night, and she goes
away to her room. AS | dress next
morning my eyes light upon IL satin
covered ball programme lying on the
| floor where Ethel must have dropped
it. Picking it up opened it careless
| ly, but my carelessness changes sud
denly to a fixed, startled regard.
Penciled in the space beneath tho
list OF dancers are these words:
"My darling, let it be tomorrow
evening" will await you. as the clock
strikes eleven, by the great oak at the
end OF the drive. Circumstances over
which have no control cal me abroad
Something tells mo that if go leaving
you free we will surely be parted
Your aunt is prejudiccd against me
and you tell me that she can preven
you from marrying until you are o
age. Oh! my love. you who know how
faithful your devoted Raoul is, i'm
plore you take your fate in your owl
hands and consent to my wishes for ,
secret marriage. Ii need only be KEEP
secret until my return, then we cal
confess and be for given"
AS read, Ethel's agitation return
to me, and l know that unless | say,
her my cousin will go to her ruin thi
very night. For that ruin it would b,
to intrust her life's happiness into tn,
keeping of the unprincipled adventure
whose hand penned these lines l an
convinced. But how is it to be done
l must have help-auntie is out of tn
question there is only Hart will he
angry at me as he is, come to my rs
sistance?
seek him Mt his law Office H
meets me coldly; but his manne
changes as, in earnest, anxious tones
pour out my troubles. and. ignorin
his indifferent greeting, implore him
upon the strength of our old friend
ship, to hell me, it it is in his power
to save my cousin from taking tn
irrecoverabe step she contemplates.
J 'Help youp OF course | will an
can, too!' he cxclaims. '.How luck
you came to mc-and what a coinc
dence it ISL
"Co.ncidence-in what way?"
| ask.
Never mind now.' he answers
, But cheer up, Joan; all will com
: well, ! promise you. 1t was fort
unate star that led you to me-"
That night, instead of retiring, l S
5 at my window, from which ca
: plainly see the drive, although it
I some little distance away.
The hall clock strikes eleven, an
just at that moment q slight, dar
figure is distinctly visible in the IN ool
, light, walking with rapid steps dow
thu drive.
/ hold my breath, and my hand
( clasp themselves convulsively togetl