The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-06-12
klSMET.

a succession of decidedly audible
raps upou the door of her room broke
the enhancing spell Of quietude that
hlled the cosy little boudoir, and
aroused Eleanor Duncan from one of
those delicious reverics into which we
are so apt to fall, on a cold winter
evening. and bury ourselves away
from things material. With lust the
shadow of a frown clouding her brow,
she raised her pretty head from the
crimson velvet pillow of the lounge
and, supporting herself with her Ell
bow, she asked:
"What is it. Mammal"
Make yourself presentable, Eleanor
Darlington is in the par,or awaiting
your coming"
Her lip curlde, then a panied, hunt
ed expression passed swiftly over her
face.
''He here! o why does he prosecute
me with his attentions? Why does he
come on this night of all nights, when
| want to Think" And she buried her
face in her hands.
Are you coming, E~leanor?:"
The face was raised. and wore an
expression of hesitancy, but it was
quickly chased away by a resolute
compression of the lips, and she an
swered:
mo; | have no desire to-
But what shall tell Barringtonp"
"Oh, tell him anything-that 1 am
Ill, have retired. an not at home, that
| am dead-anything to get rid of
him.
Eleanor are you demented? Have
You forgotten your engagement
ring9"
No" sullenly. Il remember only
too well, but tonight wish to for
get 1t
and Barrington?'
''Icll him to go. and also that if he
is net careful | Will cast his ring and
presents into the stect."
a pause ensued. followed by the
sound of retreating footsteps, and all
was as still as before. On the lounge,
her trim figure the least bit huddled,
lay Eleanor, sad aud fearful.
Poor Vic" she murmured, 1.-TWO
years ago tonight l drove him from
ue. because l felt his superiority of
will aud mind. How ne loved me,
and | him; but my pride! A queen
could have been no prouder than l.
Naughty, ambitious. too proud to take
advice. too weak to see MY own faults.
Poor Vic.." She paused. and her eyes
blazed y~iciously. Still, l was not
wholly to blame. He angered me
with his lofty ways He was too fond
of giving advice. He called me q lit
tie fool, told stories of my %llirtatlons
among his cronies. and then advised
ne to reform. Bah! But now, # l
could only see him, ease his pain,
nurse him in his illness, comfort him,
kneel to HIM. We are strangers for
eyer-there is nothing left but mem
Dry, nothing but the recollection Of a
dream
She arose, the room being a tritle
cool, and threw a white shall around
her shoulders in a most becoming
manner. She passed the long mirror,
she paused to glance at the reflection.
and a very %attravtive and pleasing
picture it was. A pretty face. with
soft brown eyes. and full, impulsivc
lips, while the wealth of dark brown
hair, unfettered, fell in W. upon the
white shall, contrasting we'll and form
ing the growing beauty of the pict-
ure. A half smile came to her lips.
THAT picture" she murmured; 81
could not be more like it if [ tried, and
he loved that picture SO we'll! Oh, Vic!
Vic! if you only knew!n
She stood before the mirror, her
hands clasped before her, her eyes
looking steadfastly at the image in the
glass, her face grown sadder and more
reposed.
II thought l heard voices in Elean-
ors's ROOM" SAID her mother to Mr..
Duncan; and. ascending the stairs, she
listened at the door a few moments.
Hearing no sound whatever, she re-
tired, wondering at her daughters in
applicable conduct.
A few moments later the door of the
room opened n~oiselessly, and Eleanor,
with the shall still about her, stole
down stairs, opening and closing the
street door quietly as she passed out
into the night. Men watched her as
she passed them, nearly flying through
The almost deserted thoroughfares. and
casually remarked that some n must
be sick and needing the services of a
physician.
Darlington, a tall, dissipated-appear.
ing man, with a brutal cast of counte'
nance and an evil eye, was coming
out of a cafe, when he caught 8
glimpse of her face as she sped by him.
For a moment he stood in blank amaze
ment, rubbing his eyes to assure him
self that he was uot dreaming, then,
with q muttered curse, he hurried at
ter her. his teeth set, his eyes gleam'
ing angrily.
Il am SO sorry that you cannot go
Victor; the services at St. Stephen!
are always so grand and impressive
and you are so fond of music anc
motherly Mrs. Cakes bent over he
son as he reclined in an invalid chair
and smoothing back his light hail
kissed him as only a mother can.
81 am sorry as we'll" he answered
with . grateful smile; "but then it ]
better that l should not go, it is 81
,old. o, it is m%addening, this help
essness this Imprisonment. | think
mother, that it you leave the door ala