The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-01-22
HER BIRTHDAY GIFT.

"We should not count our wears a
misfortune, and to be candid, this, nv
fortieth birthday, is the one day of my
life that have constantly looked for
ward to with satisfaction.
''Since yesterday?' l asked, doubt
fully.
'Since l was mere girl in my teens
that is the period considered the
happiest in woman's life, is it not?
| fancy I am constitutionally tlmid,
for have always had an almost NOR
bid horror of putting myself in posi-
ton that could not break away
from"
Marriage being one of them?"
asked.
But she did not seem to hear me,
and continued
"And then there We're constant diff
cult, teasing questions to decide. and
even provoking trivial things grew
important if l had to deal with them,
and | was so easily frightened.
And SC" | began, for Frances had
left off speaking and seemed to have
forgotten my existence.
''And so," she repeated, shaking
herself out of her musings. 81 used to
say, when l am forty life will be worth
living. There will be nothing more to
happen that is unusual; no more i'm
portant decisions to be made. The
rest of ones days will be spent in a
pleasant monotony. A few every day
worries that no mortal can escape;
sickness perhaps, but nothing unusual
to fear, nothing in the future to tor
ment me.
And is that your idea of satisfac-
tory life?''
81 could only ask questions, for |
had no sympathy in Frances mood
that night.
Amy thing is better than the eternal
| questions, whether we have done right
or wrong, wisely or foolishly," she
answered irrelevantly. "Whether one
has sacrificed one's life or escaped a
misfortune. Now at forty. / am
forty tonight, you know
| OF course l knew it was Frances
birthday, for it was to keep the feast,
that l sat, metaphorically, by her fire
side.
''Forty seems load of years to
carry, and yet l wonder what it is that
makes one old, for to tell the truth
do not feel a bit older than / did ten
years ago, and not nearly as old as
did this night twenty-five years. Then
I dropped my youth as we might an
ill-titting garment. There was nc
possible way of altering it, and SO
rid myself of it altogether. Certainly
can say tonight that l am better
satisfied, more contented, and"
Happier, suggested, but Frances
did not appropriate the word.
Comfortable, that better expresses
the idea, unless one could honestly
say satisfactory.
was very sure Frances could not
There could be little satisfaction in 8
woman's life devoid of near kinsfolk
fretted by small economies, and with
out home, for third story bach
room, even in comfortable boarding
house, has but few qualities of home
prevailing it.
"You had enough IN your youth tc
make life very satisfactory" said
for l remembered when Frances
father had been the leading lawyer a
our bar, and had lived in more styl,
than the most OF us.
81 had more money" she said will
a shrug of her shoulders, 81 woult
like some of it now for it needs mor'
to keep ones self respectable at fort,
than at eighteen. But l am not un
happy from the want of money. One
greatest misfortune is to have his
tory. 1t has all the properties of
ghost, and is as hard to lay, /, TO
instance
l looked up quickly at Frances thel
as quickly turned my gaze to the fire
was going 10 say, but in fact to tn
stove. / felt the natural tlutter o
pleasure that one feels when one
friends are confidential, and plac.
you on different footing than yo,
ever were before. 1t is subtle flat
terry as we'll rs mark of trust whe
some friends contide to your keeping
personal history.
Whether it was the clock strikin
10, or something quite as trivial tina
gave Francis thoughts turn, coul
not guess. for instead of a history
had long wished to hear. she fed m
on cake and wine in honor of he
birthday, which she produced from
convenient closet. After that we cha,
ted quietly, gossiping a little, b,
harmlessly, and working up yard
of fluffy wool, with our knittin
needles.
, 1t was the growth of my work thn
| reminded me of the lapse of time, fo
I had given my one servant holida,
and expected to walk home alon,
But l had no fears. no matter whs
t the time was. for our village alway
grew more quiet as the hours shorte
u their numbers. The moon was fn
: and the only disagreeable part of NJ
leaving was to creep like a thi'