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

the worlds opinion. Presently you
will forget"
"Never!" was the low response,
still, thank Heaven that 1 have YOU,
that II noble heart beats with some
measure of affection for me-"
just at that moment Miss Osborne
came into sight with Florence. Rex
had relinquished Mrs. Selby's hand,
aud was gathering the light shawls she
wore closer around her neck, for the
wind came cool from the sea. He Ger.
talnly did look lover-like in his atten-
tions.
what do you say now?" Miss Os-
borne asked, with blazing cheeks and
eyes. DO you think I viii ever speak
to him again? Do you wonder they
talk about her."
"She is probably an old friend" said
Florence, wishing still to be generous.
She is most probably a crafty, de-
signing woman" was the reply, as Miss
Osborne turned impatiently away; and
so quickly, that Don Clarke, who was
coming from the opposite direction to
meet her, thought she did it to avoid
HIM, and so falling back, sauntered
with the rest.
Later on that night, Florence was
walking arm-ln-arm with Don Clarke.
Miss Osborne beside them. The mu-
sic of a splendid band came from the
wide balcony of the hotel in softened
harmony, and the figures of the dancers
within, all a wonderous bewilderment
OF lovely colors and beautiful forms and
faces, could be seen by the promena-
ders. like pictures in dream-land.
Miss Osborne moved away from her
companions, and strayed down to the
beach, dotted here and there with
solitary figures. Here the air was cool.
the breath of the ocean delicious.
A little boat rocked to and fro, and
we'll aware that it was securely fastened
the young girl seated herself in the
stern and looked out over the far waste
of waters, just beginning to whiten in
the rays OF the rising moon.
There Rex found her. She had not
seen him coming, and at sound of his
voice turned a stern, white face toward
him, and attempted to leave the boat.
But he was beside her; there was
something in his face that startled her.
Shal row you out a little way? 1t
is such a heavenly night!' he said,
quietly, as if nothing unpleasant had
passed between them. This is NV
boat. HAD it brought down to-day
Il didn't know that" she said rising,
and very nearly falling in the impetus
osity of her movement.
And suppose YOU did not 2" he said
smiling, and looking at her with such
an assumption of ownership that she
felt the blood surge up to her temples,
Il hope you will do me the honor to
stay-iust for q little" he added, the
moonlight falling on his handsome face.
Miss Osborne hesitated. The scene
on the beach was yet fresh in her mem
ory;
There can surely be no objection to
taking a little row, now that the water
is SO calm" he said.
And, almost before she knew it. the
boat was loosened and they were float
ing out in the still moonlight, while
FAINT snatches of the dance-music sound
ed 10Y and then across the reaches of
silence.
81 am going to explain something"
he said. presently, resting on his oars,
which only one other person knows
beside myself, and / shall trust that
secret to Your honor. Are you quite
comfortable, or shall l go back for a
shawl?"
He thought he saw her SILVER.
"Oh, no; go On. I am quite comfort
able, thank you," she said, looking away
along the grand wake OF the moon;
though, please remember, I have not
St-n
Confession" he murmured, his lip
curling a little at the offended dignity
of her manner.
She said nothing.
81 am sorry that circumstances have
seemed to compel me to defend myself"
he said, quietly ''and yet it is no more
than your right to know, after what
has passed between us. Perhaps YOU
remember the great forgery case OF rs,
IN which a David Brabant was concern
ed? 1t happened in your city, and
made an extraordinary sensation at the
time"
She said Yes, Hooking up at him with
a heightened color. She remembered
the case perfectly. The Judge before
whom it was tried was her uncle.
"The man was imprisoned for life"
continued Rex, plying his oars gently;
80 much for him. But there was
another unfortunate person in the
case, he said, looking down; 'the cul-
prits innocent WIFE,"
Poor soul! Every body pitied her."
murlnered Miss Osborne. her face now
softened and more beautiful than ever.
And that woman" said Rex, in a
still lower voice, "was my half sister.
the child of my mother by a former
husband, one of the sweetest creatures
that wa ever cursed by a union WITH a
wretch so vile. She, ten years nv
senior, took charge of my brothers and
myself when my mother died during my
boyhood. She has been everything to
me, mother, father and sister all in
one"
oh, Rex" Her hands went out a
little way. Pity and sympathy made
her lovely face a study in the soft, lu-
minous moonlight. IL think / can
guess the rest"
perhaps" he said, with a sad smile,
then went on: My unhappy sister, at
the termination of the trial, took her
maiden name OF Selby, and went into
scclusion. She has never been out in
society since then, now over seven years,
until now, though she has an ample
fortune of her own. 1t was through
my persuasion that she came here, and
perhaps you can fathom the reason
why she wished to appear merely as a
friend or acquaintance of mine; simply
because attention might be called to the
sad circumstances which have blighted
her life. Otherwise she would have
remained in utter seclusion-so. you
see-"
"Oh, Rex!" she said, penitently,
from under her hands, for her face