The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-05-08
A MISUNDERSTANDING.

1t is my opinion that it is nothing I'M
der the sun, but a little misunderstand-
ing that will be all right in the course OF
a few weeks; we had best not interfere
yet a while at least" says Miss Meri.
dith, as she piled her needle in and out
of the table cover she was embroider-
ing in crewels.
"But he looks so woefully depressed
my heart aches for him, and as for
Lillian, she mopes when he isn't by,
and when he is, she is entirely
too gay and high spirited to be
natural, by far, I don't see how the
matter Is to be 'righted' if one or the
other Of them don't apologize or :ex-
plain" and Miss Moseby's voice, as
we'll as hands, tremble, as she slipped
one and took up two of the stitches on
the bead purse she was crocheting.
The conversation was held in q sit
%ting-room off q large parlor in a fash
ionable clearinghouse, and the speak
ers, Miss Meredith and Miss Moseby,
were maiden aunts of the two ~unfortu-
mates mentioned as being victims of a
misunderstanding The affair in ques-
ton was one of those cratic courses in
to which the stream of true love so
often runs.
Ralph Meredith had met and fallen
desperately in love with Lillian Mosebey
that winter, while dwelling under the
ing lectures at one of the colleges in the
city, preparatory to taking his degree,
and Notwithstanding he had corrugated
the verb in more than one language,
many times before, he 10Y for the first
time understood what it meant when he
said: tie amo.'
He was a reserved, difiident, gentle
sort of a fellow, unused to girls
and their coquetries, and Lillian
Moseby, who was n born firt, although
q really true hearted girl, not only
charmed, but puzzled him as well,
with the e%ver-varying shades of charac-
Ucl Silf tSSuIlicu dg llI1lcS. LII utO
scores of admirers before, and her TWEEN
ty years counted twice his twenty-four,
in point of experience with the opposite
sex. She had never had just such q
lover before, however, and as a 'rara
avis counts double in u girls estimation
of the game of bags-or the scalps she
adds as trophies to her belt of fascinations
Lii felt not a little exultation in know
ing that she was che only girl to whom
Mr.. Merideth had ever been known tc
pay his ditfident, yet devoted attentions.
The affair had progressed favorably
for several weeks; the two aunts nod
ding their heads and smiling at the
young peoples evident attraction fol-
one another, and congratulating them
selves that a match after their Made.
hearts was being made, without any
strong efforts on their parts. All Wen
smoothly enough until the evening O.
the Lady Washington Reception, a lit,
tie sociable gotten up by the boarder'
in the house to celebrate Washington!
Birthday. To this party each member
of the soclable was privileged to invite
a few friends. Among the stranger
present a certain Lieutenant Rich
gorgeous n his full uniform, the CUES
of Miss Moseby, was the observed of al
the observers. He had just returned
from a three years cruise, and was q
pleased and proud to welcome and in
troduce them to their friends as thei
invited guest.
Miss Lillian, the lieutenant quickl,
discovered. had in these wears, some
what changed: instead of the tall, half
awkward schoolgirl he remembered
he found a graceful, beautiful and self
possessed belle. 1t is not strange
therefore that lie should, after a name
of men, take particular painsto Guido al
other admirers at the shrine of he
loneliness, and manage to completed
monopolize her the greatest part of til
evening himself. His name was 500
upon her card for ali the waltzes, an,
when not dancing, he was p~romenadin
with her, saying those hundred littl
nothings which are accompanied oft
times by such glances as mean eve
thing!
Ralph Meridith's dark eyes saw it all
from every quarter of the room Il
watched the tableaux vivant, gnawin
at the ends OF his mustache til
while until it threatened to /
a thing of rags and %tatters. He woul
not ask her to dance, he was not con,
ageous enough to brave a refusal, an
he did not dare hope she had saved
corner for him on her card. Some or
standing behind him was speaking oft
couple as they passed, Lillian radiant
lovely in her pink brocade. the lieute,
ant dazzling III his brass buttons. The
made q handsome pair. Over the tc
of her fan. LII caught q glimpse of Il
~sullen, dark, Othello-looking lover, ant
it was in the nature of tho woman. ST
smiled all the sweeter up in her par
J ner's face.
Didn't you know it?" said a vol,
behind Ralph, '.he and Miss Mosel
were engaged when children"
A keen sharp pain, like a kni
through his heart, made him grow pal
and he staggered out into the hall. I
, had believed SO truly III her, and ST
} was a heartless coquette! Engaged
this man from a child, and giving !
intimation of it, nay, lurlng him on
love her only in order to wound him
the quick at last! He hurried o
of the house and paced Il
wide street until dawn, al
> from that time, as Miss Moseby had n
, ticed, he had not been the same. Lili;
3 had not see him but once since. T
kept out of her way. He was very mu.
engaged in his studies.' he said to h
coldly, when she met him on the stat