The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-01-23

ugly kick on the shoulder yesterday
and I'm not over the effects Of 1t yet"
Ethel's face expressed volumes OF
but she could not trust her
self to speak.
"And you never mentioned it beforev
Mrs. Vernon. TOO bad! l
shall persuade Dick to sell t-such a
vicious creature 1t has grown to be-"
The summer passed pleasantly and
quietly. Elliot was constant in his visits
to the rocks, sometimes in company
with Ethel and his sister. but latterly t
be found with the former alone. Fol
Mrs. Vernon discovering that household
matters-which had never caused much
anxiety before-were going on the besi
they might under the solo direction o,
an incompetent servant, took number
less opportunities of remaining at home
thus throwing her two visitors constant
ly together.
But there was no change in his man.
ner. If Ethel hoped that he was desiroui
of returning to his former state of hope
less love for her, he certainly ave lleI
no reason to to indulge in such expecta
tons. He was q pleasant. agreeable
even at times vivacious companion. bu
far from degenerating into the lover.
Her pride was sorely wounded and
there we're occasions when some fittisb
remark showed it more plainly than she
was aware.
She even tried the ballroom ruse OF
fixing the day other departure, and tell,
ing him OF it only the morning before.
They we're standing on the terrace, he
about to pay the first visit he had made
in several weeks to the refractory colt.
20 indeed! Nell will be so disap.
pointed, for she thought you might be
induced TO remain till October" was his
cool rejoinder. Not one word of his dis.
appointment!
So Ethel, thoroughly annoyed by his
apparent Indifference, hastily made all
preparations for her departure on the
morrow. That afternoon was devoted
to a few calls on friends who liveda mile
or two above them on the beach. She
die not return till dinner, and then
walked straight into the dining.room,
arrayed in her calling costume.
Vernon. unusually go punctual a tmea|
time, was not in his place, Mrs. Vernon's
chair was also vacant.
Well" said Ethel to herself, "they
have often blamed me for keeping them
waiting. 1 shall not be so foolish as to
let them keep me-"
Ringing the bell, she asked for some
soup, and was answered by a stony
stare of surprise from the servant. II;
there any particular reason why l should
not enjoy m ydinner now?" asked Ethel
understanding to try the effect Of a sar'
castle tone uponthe big, bony Irish girl
"Yis, to be sure if yer appetite's good
whin there's death in the house,"
Death? How Ethel started at that word
Poor Dick certainly. Nellalways said Jer
ry would be the death.of him. Eat? O
course not, when her friend was in such
trouble.
Hastily rising, she made her wav tc
the library and was met at e door by
Mrs. Vernon, coming out.
80 Nell, what is the matter? Is he
is he-oh,. poor Dickl I'm so sorry ]
went out this afternoon"
"Dick?" interrupted Mrs. Vernon in
an aggrieved tone. '.Well, it isn't Dick
-itssElliot. Shoulder broken or smashed
or something by that miserable beast
and-and | don't know how much be-
sides. Dicks gone for the Doctor and
leaving Ethel standing b%ewiIdered, with
her hand on the knob Of the door
Should she 20 in?
What would he think If she did moi
hasten to offer her friendly sympathy?
A burning flush arose to her face az
this last question forced itself upon her
and she half turned away. Then came
o sudden, overpowering emotion, pain.
full, yet masteriul. Tears of loving sym
pathy sprang to her eyes. and once more
she laid her hand upon the door.
For the second time she felt her cour.
age rapidly oozing away, and she proba-
bly, would have yielded to her first feal
had not a faint moan from within de.
cided her. He was suffering-yes, she
would go.
Slowly She door rolled back. Finally
o small figure stole almost stealthily
across the now darkened room, over tc
the lounge nea the window.
One hand shaded his face, the other
crushed and broken, was wrapped in 6
soft, silk handkerchief.
Back SO soon, Nell?' he asked, with
out raising his hand from his eyes,. A
little trembling hand touched his fever
ish forehead, and a voice-Oh, 50 swee
and gentle, announced:
toto tell yon-to say how sorry l fee
yon are injured so-and-and-"
"You are very kind" he answered,
feebly, shut there is not 30 much the
matter. How did you know? Did Neil
tell your"
She did not reply.
Elliot turned his head-so near, 81
very near to hers-and saw a tear fallins
on her fair, flushed cheek. Raising
himself as best he could, he stretched
out his arm and drew her silently to hi:
breast.
20, Ethel-oh, my darling, did yor
come freely-willingly, or was it sympa.
thy such as only an ordinary friend
might offer? Tell me-"
"1-I came" the clear voice ~faltered
but for her II q of mind the con-
fession must come 81 came because ]
4 could not stay away from you"
"But you will leave me tomorrow
he could not help asking, enjoying il
his turn the sweetness Of a triumph.
Down went Ethel on her knees be-
side the lounge. Humbly, repentantlv
her fearful eyes looking into his.
"Oh, Elliot, I must stay with you"
"For how long, dear?"
"Forever."-Yankee Blade.
The German ARMY.