The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-07-17
THE FLOWER or THE FLOCK.
CHAPTER I

tory. I belieye-I may be mistaken
that looks have a great deal of infuenc
over some peoples fate. II I had bee,
as good looking as my youngest sister
should now be Mrs. Lorraine, instead
: forlorn maiden. gazing hopelessl,
towards q solitary future. But perhap
matters may improve as time goes on
the wound in my heartmay heal, and M,
feelings become blunted. Just now Ifee
very sore.
Constance is my senior by four years.
She married, and very well, the yea,
after she came out. / was fifteen at til,
time and little Ismay only twelve, ant
the next five years were the happies,
period of my life. The Lorraines were
out oldest and dearest friends, and Is
may aud I studied with the girls unde,
the same governess at their house. Ny
father was the squire of the village
where we lived, and Mr.. Lorraine WAS
the rector. and there were no other
families Of any consequence within five
miles.
think I began to live my life when
! was sixteen. It was October. Guy
lorraine had left Rugby and was going
INTO his residence at Cambridge. We
young ones had been spending a month
ct the seaside under Fraulein's protec-
ton; but the holidays we're at an end
now, and 1 felt somewhat gloomy as /
wandered alone in the rectory garden.
To lose Guy md begin lessons to-mor-
rowl It was too bad.
! was medium sized girl in those
days, with a round face, q tremendous
mop Of fair hair, blue eyes and o de-
cidedl.y %retrousse nose. / remember
that October cleaning SO distinctly.
The scarlet g%eraniums in the parterres
Rlared. 1t was q last flicker before
winter. The Gloure de Dion roses
bloomed everywhere and stocks and
asters made a brave show; but a feel
ing o. autumn and decay lowered in the
ar, and the leaves on the trees were
changing hue rapidly.
1 was attired in my usual white fan
mel frock, somewhat dllapidated Il was
tidy), and one Of GUYS straw
hats, which / had taken out Of the hall.
As ! stood by the dial on the lawn a
white figure lounged in at the gate and
made for me. OF course it was Guy.
He was 9 wonderfully handsome boy,
tall, slight and dark, with clear cut
features and m eagle nose. / had al
ways admired him immensely; I am an
artistic soul and worship beauty. That
evening | felt painfully conscious Of
looking a fright. and / began to
straighten my crumpled frock and push
back my curly, towzled wig.
Don't do that, Ju," said Guy as he
approached. II like you ever SO much
better when you're untidy."
Then you must like me always"
~ do six days out Of seven; Sundays
an exception.
And / always look 80 moe on Sun
day"
NIGEL You're o perfect object, with
your hair in q tail and your best frock
on. II you only knew what a contrast
you are to Ismay you'd leave your new
andcome and sit with us"
Indeed / wouldnt--Pd choose some
n civil, not you?"
All, you're Jealous Of Ismay, and
don't wonder: but I'm not going to talk
about her Just now. Do you know [
came home specially to see YOU"
y wondered what had made YOU
q the river so early, but Tn not sur
prlsed to hear TINT / was the attraction
You conceited monkey! Ishould en-
JOY boxing Your ears, but / haven't
time. ] want to talk seriously
I giggled outright, but lie pulled my
hand through his arm, and we marched
off in silence. After a minutes pause I
opened my mouth to speak, but he
broke in suddenly:
aJu, you know I'm going away to-
"WelI?n
Are you sorry"
No, I'm very glad. Ihope you'll come
back improved. You require improve
aYou tiresome creature!p he threw
my hand. "why won't you be seri-
ous9 p
II am serious. You're asking ME
stupid question and I'm answering them i
seriously" j
aOh, Juliet, why won't you under /,
Don't know I'm sorry to leave 4
7ou?s :
nodded. aof course you are" /
And you must know the reason why. i
Iu. I'm fond Of you" /
Eyes, i know that, too" 1
you're really past all endurance. q
Must / explain everything, just as if you
= baby. I'm not ford of you in that /
,
Winch way ~ interrupted innocent t
Guy took mo by the shoulders and {
hook me.
.You know what l mean perfectly h
ell. I'm going to marry you" t,
l made . courtesy. b
= must really tell mother that I'm
rovided for,"I exclaimed; ashe was q,
cry glad when Connie married in her n
scond season; but I've done a great
better. Actually, Guy, Tn en- Il
aged two years before Tn out"
Guy was leaning against o tree, look
g very sulky.
Pm quite in earnest" he growled,
but if you're only going to make fun n
me Ill go.n il
aYou are going; that is to say you're
ping tomorrow, but not just this min h
10. Guy"
soh, Juliet! and do You really love d
le?" II
= don't want to SAY yes, and I don't "
ant to say no.
But you won't go marrying any g,
her fellow while I'm away
There's no other fellow that / know /
I'll write and tell you if one turns Ii
Pr h