The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-04-24
V AS BY FATE.

charming about Alice? ANY one but
her would be pronounced homely, with
those features; besides, she is a straw
berry blonde she is freckled, and she
has the most immense feet-wears a
six at the very least"
II m sure l cannot say, but fascina-
ting she certainly is; it must be in her
manner or in her accomplishments.
Who would ever have thought when
she came here six months ago that she
would now be the belle of Lancaster?"
81 didn't, I'm sure, or l never
would have allowed papa to offer her a
home with us; just listen to that voice!"
And Jeanette Taylor paused as the
sweet tones of her Cousins voice came
floating up to them from the music
room.
"She is practicing up for the con-
cert. I'd give the world to keep her
away from there. Claude Moltrop is
sure to fall deader in love with her
than ever. for she does look stunning
IN her concert dress, in spite of her red
hair"
"Do you think that would make any
difference, JeanneP Wouldn't he fol-
low her just the same if she did not
attend the concerto"
Hardly, for, you see, Claude knows
nothing of this sudden summons Alice
has receive from Uncle George, and if
he should not meet her tonight, l feel
sure 1 could secure him before Alice
would ever see him again, for you
know she goes IN the early train"
81 rather think so myself" mused
Louise Lorton, Jeanne Taylor's mar
ried sister. .'He seems to be almost
as attentive to you as he is to Alice; it
may be only her singing which at
tracts MIN. What are you going to
wear tonight, Jeanne?"
my white tissue, but know it's all
vain to think anything about it, if she
sings at that concert. I wish l dare
send her away this minute" and
Jeanne Taylor looked at her sister with
despair and anger in her black eyes.
at was a mistake, fathers bringing
her here" said Mrs. Lorton. 3But
you must do nothing rash Jeanne; per-
maps ! may find a way to prevent her
attending the concert"
"Oh, Louise, howp Ihave positively
begged her not to go, have limited hat
1t was unladylike to sing in public, but
she is not to be turned from her course
a single iota."
Mrs. Lorton smiled, and, bending
over, whispered in her sisters ear a
few words which acted like magic upon
the despairing look in Jeanne's face.
"Oh, Louise, if you only could" she
said. wv
~ think l can" replied Mrs. Lortop.
"And now go down stairs and offer To
help Alice with her packing and then
when you are both dressed come to me
IN the dining room where, l will have
a glass OF lemonade prepared for
you" ~
Jeanne departed with a little tri-
umphant laugh, and Mrs. Lorton
took up her sewing with a s~elf-satisied
look.
Alice Taylor was an orphan. Her
parents had left her a small fortune
and when her uncle Harvey had offered
her a house with his own daughters
she had accepted, not because she
could not support herself, but for the
companionship she had hoped to find
with her cousins, who were about her
own age. She had missed something
in their demeanor from the first. bnt
they had never been particularlv up-
kind. Still the lonely girl missed the
love she craved with such in~tenseness.
Soon after her arrival, her cousin
Louise had married, and was soon her
fathers housekeeper, and acted AZ
chaperon for Jeanne and Alice on all
society occasions.
After she had been in society a few
times people had discovered that plain
Alice Taylor possessed a beautiful
voice and an indescribable charm of
manner, and she began to be courted
and flattered until six months after her
arrival she was the acknowledged belle
of the small town.
Mrs. Moltrop, one of the leaders of
society, had decided, Just as the story
opens, to get up a charity concert for
the benefit OF the INDECENT of Lancas-
ter. and Alice Taylor's voice was to be
the particular attraction. Mrs. Mol
trop was very popular, and her only
son Claude was considered the best
"catch' in town. and Jeanne TAYLOR.
before Alice's arrival, had been reas-
onably sure that the prize was her own.
But there was a change, yet she strove
with all the tact which is given the
young society lady to place herself
first in his regards, but, alas for her.
Alice's company was preferred to her
own. She was secretly very angry,
and Alice perceived an unpleasant
change in her, which she could ac-
count for on no other grounds than the
true mes.
About this time she received a letter
from another uncle here, who wished
her to hll a daughters place to him.
She hailed the change with joy, and
had planned to start for his distant
home the morning after the concert.
All this had been kept perfectly Quiet
by her cousins, for they feared she
would receive an offer OF marriage
from Claude Moltrop before her de.
parture. Alice knew all this, but she
expected to meet Claude once before
leaving, and her gentle heart futtered
at what might happen on that porten-
tous evening.
She was therefore, a little surprised
at Jcanne's kindness that afternoon
when she came down and offered SO
pleasantly to help her about her pack
ing.
" am sorry you are to leave US, AL.
ice,' she said; although l don't doubt
you will like it at Uncle Georges"
81 hope So" said Alice. BRIGHTLY.
''and | never shall forget your kind.
ness in giving me a home wien l had
none, Jeanne"
THAT was nothing" said Jeanne.
"How time does fly we ought to bc
pressing now, and Louise has set out
a lunch for MS before we CO."
Alice did no know what to make OF
this unusual kindness, and went away
to her dressing room thinking that she