The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-07-02

oi.ioiS VI oiie sOil dlSCOurSeu amlcaDly
OF the stock and crops, while buxom
housewives rehearsed the numberless
domestic details that made up the
sum OF life in their little world. Then
the lake offered it's placid surface to
those who cared to risk their lives in the
few weather-beaten boats drawn high
upon the beach; and the ''forest pri-
mevaP, held many q sylvan retreat for
rustic lovers and places OF conceal
ment for the boys and girls who scam.
pered among it's shadows in the game
OF "hide-and-seek;;" and it was amid
this scene, and while deep in the mys-
leries OF this game, that little Ada
Billings, by a lucky chance, WIS able
to throw more light on the subject en-
crossing the public mind than the
ablest OF Clayford's gossip mongers
had done
Some spiteful women, who were not
warmly attached to Ada's mother,
said afterward, that Ada had follow
ed Charley and Kate in their ramble
to spy upon them, and that her moth.
er "set her up to it," but others de-
clared it was pure accident, for their
children were playing with her all the
time. For few days this contested
point absorbed the public mind and
tongue almost to the exclusion OF
the discovery made, and the war
OF words ran high. On good au.
thority it is safe to say the child
was innocent OF intentional spving,
and only in the zest OF animal spirits
had ran away from her comrades,
thinking they would hunt for her, and
SO stumbled upon q scene that caused
her little heart to beat fast with a
new sensation, and her eyes to open
wide like two big blue fringed -gentians.
In this state ofopen-mouthed wonder
ment she stood an instant, and then
turned and ran as swiftly as her little
feet could carry her straight to her
mother, who was sitting in a circle Of
Clayford's best people. Flushed, tear
iul and dripping with perspiration she
flung herself, face downward, into her
mothers lap.
"Why! Ada, what ails the child."
exclaimed Mrs. Billings, giving her
vigorous shake. But Ada only buried
her face deeper and did not answer.
Perhaps she's had a fall-out with
one OF the boys" suggested Mr.. Ross,
good-humoredly.
COR tore her gown, more like"
said another.
ada, sit right up and tell me what $
the matter, this instant" command
ed Mrs. Billings, half impatiently, yet
with some concern in her voice.
Thus abjured, Ada slowly raised
herself, and still keeping her face hid
den by her hands, said between her
sobs:
1-saw-the-Superintendent-kiss-
ing e-Kate-Murrey- rey-boo-hoo!"
The circlelooked aghast.
"Where? When?" gasped Mrs. Bill.
ings excitedly.
"Over there in the woods. didn't
mean to see it" faltered the child.
1t was q thrilling moment for Mrs.
Billings. The knowledge all Clayford
was most dying OF curiosity to learn
lay right here in her hands. She was
determined to make the most of her
opportunity.
ada" she solemnly commanded.
lest you go right on and tell US all
about this-don't you skip a word"
holding up one finger threateninsly.
With dropping head and scarlet
cheeks, the bashful child continued:
81 was runnin' along on the sand. and
was Jest stoppin' to turn round an
go back, when heard somethin', an
! looked up the bank an saw the
Super tendent and Kate Murrey eittin'
up from seat; an his arm was
round her, an hekept his arm round
her, an'-an he kiss't her-an'-an'
hugged her; an kept his arm round
her. an they came this way, an | run
back-that's ALL"
'iou're sure that's all?" urged Mrs.
Billings, anxiously.
"ies, anti replied Ada. vehement.
ly, from the folds of her mothers
dress.
81 want to know" gasped Mrs.
Shedd.
What do you think OF that" quer-
led Mrs. Blackman OF no one in par
tlcular.
~ told you so,' sharply replied
Mrs. Wyndam, arising as She spoke.
preparatory to spreading the news.
AT this instant the couple under dis
cussion sauntered INTO view, calm un-
rutiled and sedate, ard only those who
had just learned their secret knew the
meaning OF the glad light in their eyes
and the brilliant bloom on kitties
fair face
81 do declare, they make purity
couple" whispered Mrs. Blackman to
her companions.
"fe-es.' reluctantly admitted Mrs.
Ross; "they do we'll enough"
And so said all Clayford whenit had
become accustomed to the fact that it
was really to be match: but little
Ada could never again quite reconcile
the solemn, dismfed Superintendent
and the proper young lady who sung
like an angel in Sabbath-school with
the sentimental pair she had overtak,
en- in the woods.