The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-05-07

looming back with them, such disap.
pointment would be borne. But
what would Mr.. B~eauchamp think
when he saw only her sisters? That
she had not cared to come-that his
wishes were nothing to her-that she
meant only teasing and fun, and
nothing else. And all that after all
his kindness to her, 'tthe little Faerie
Qneene," AS he had once called her at
a Christmas party.
"Oh, it is too hard! 1t is bitterly
hard!" sobbed the poor child. And
though she was not imaginative, at
least not more than other happy
young girls, a dim, shadowy feeling
came over her that it was lust some
such cross accident as this that had
spoiled many an innocent young life,
marring its fair beginnings and
tangling its golden threads. "And l
should not have Notwithstanding not
be halfso miserable if l had not teased
him so much, and made himlook sad"
finished Nab, in little outburst of de-
SPAR.
And any one who knew Ned Beau
champs character would have be-
lieved she haG cause for herfears. The
young man had already gone away,
sadly telling himself that Nab did not
care for him in the least; that he had
laid his honest heart at her feet only
to have it trampled upon.
"If she does not come, l shall know
what to think" ne had said to him
self, rather bitterly, when she hadbid-
den him q laughing goodby. But in
all this he wronged her, for Nab was
as true and faithful a little soul as
ever breathed.
Mabel thought her ill-luck had
reached it's climax when her Uncle
Powell was announced.
None of the girls cared for their I'm.
cessively rich, like their Aunt Selma,
from whom they had goodly expecta-
tions, so no n expected them to keep
him in a good humor; and though he
was Mr.. Templeton's half-brother, no
two men could be more unlike. He
was a small, wiry man, with aprecise,
methodical voice and manner that was
somewhat dry and caustic, and which
did not inspire his young relations
with much affection, though they GER
tainly had no reason to dislike him,
for he was good to them in his own
way and according to his lights. Like
many other elderly people, his heart
was great d~ealsofter than his words.
He looked at Nab rather sharply as
he entered-the littlegirl's red eyes and
pale cheeks did not escape him-but
he asked no questions, leaving Nab to
explain rather lamely the reason for
her solitude.
$50 they have left you all alone" he
remarked, CURLY. "That is rather
dull at your age, eh? Do you mean to
allow yourself anydinner, Miss House
keeper, and do you think you could
spare me q little?-for l have been
about town all day, and am almost
famished."
Nab replied, little reluctantly, that
she would go and see. Oh, yes, she
was sure there was enough for both
Pauline was never stingy in her men,
age. But as she accomplished her err
rand, her conscience pricked her for
want Of ready hospitality.
What if she were unhappy-other
people must have their dinners. IN
Gle Powell was an old man
old, very old, quite fifty
five, and he looked tired
and, in spite OF Violet's
about his old-fashioned whiskers, and
the ridiculous cut of his waistcoats, he
had always been kind to her, bringing
her little presents, and showing her
little attentions. He would do it
rather awkwardly, and his voice
would be a little gruff; but, after all, it
is not every one who has a pleasant
manner.
These reflections were so salutary
that Nab tripped upstairs, bathed
her aching head with eau-de-cologne
put on her fresh white gown, though
she had only an old uncle tor her Wis
avis, and putting away her sad
thoughts with q brave effort, set her
self to entertain the unwelcome guest.
Now, the dinner was very good, and
Mr.. Templeton's claret was excellent,
and Nab made the prettiest little
hostess possible, in spite Of those tell
tale traces on her eyelids; and, as the
soft, childish eyes raised themselves
to his face with that pathetic, panied
look in them, something seemed to
tug at Uncle Powell's heart-strings.
"You were not quite happy my dear
little girl?' he said at last, in the
kindest possible voice. ''Tell me all
about it Nab"
And then, with some difficulty, he
drew the whole story from her; only,
OF course, the Beauchamp part was
suppressed, for there are some things
that cannot be told even to the kind
est uncle.
The summer twilight was stealing
through the room, and Uncle Powell's
face vas in shadow as he listened to
Mab's artless narrative. When she
had fnished-and he had not inter.
rupted her by a single murmer-he
seemed to be revolving the whole mat
ter carefully in his mind, for it was
some minutes before he gave vent to
his thoughts.
"Hump! just like you Aunt Selma!
A selfish, worldly woman-as l always
told Ralph. And pray what harm
would it have done her to have taken
you as we'll? I'll be bound Pauline
and Violet backed her up in her sell
fishness-girls are so inconsiderate. !
hate such stuck up doings."
Nab began to cry.
"Never mind Nab! You shall not
spoil your pretty eyes while you have
your uncle to protect you. You have
been a good girl this evening, and you
shall not lose your treat. We will do
them finely, Nab, and Owen shall help
us. They are at the Randolph, you
say2-Very we'll, will telegraph for
rooms at the Mitre. You just 60 and
pack up your fneries, and we will go
down by the same train tomorrow"
"Uncle!-oh, Uncle" Mabcould hard
ly bring out the exclamation, she was
SO breathlesa. ooh. Uncle. What do