The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-09-24
. poor and friendless orphan, adopted
mo Is his own child, and gave me his

Eyes. He had been sent to the
house OF some old family servant for
his health. and remained there for two
years, while his parents were in Eu-
rope. Oh! Pauline, he was the no.
blest, kindest, most generous-hearted
boyl II you will only help me now to
save him?"
81, exclaimed Pauline.
"You," replied May, caressing and
kissing her. "Oh, don't refuse
me, dear. Papa is SO stern and
unforgiving about such things. He
would think Gervase-I mean Mr.. Liv-
ingstone not worth saving, because OF
this ono fault. 1t is in vain to hope
for help from him. But, if you will
have such q plan!"
Indeed" said Pauline, laughing.
$50 am to be bribed by kiss. Well,
let me hear your plan for the benefit
OF Gervase-I mean Mr.. Livingstone
and we will see what can be done"
II shall need your brothers aid too,
but that you must secure. And oh!
both OF you must promise to keep my
secret from every one," said May.
Then leaning her cheek against
Pauline's she whispered in the silence
OF the midnight her innocent plot for
the redemption OF human soul.
Pauline Danforth's stay in Boston
was but q short one, and on her re-
turn to New York, it was noticed by
her escort that she carried in her own
hand and for the whole distance, a
small ebony box mounted in silver, and
fastened with silver lock and key.
"a jewel box" as he supposed.
On the evening OF their arrival
at the home in Fifth Avenue, after
the family greetings were over, Pauline
sought a private interview with her
brother James, and after q long ex.
PLANTATION, left the box in his care.
MAY is trump, Pauline, and you
are another!" was the young mans
somewhat undigni6ed exclamation as
he brushed his handkerchief across his
eyes. And Livingstone is we'll worth
saving, and this little box shall be in
his possession tomorrow evening
before he sleeps"
Secretly, James, remember" said
Pauline. He must not know from
whom the gift comes, till he has shown
himself worthy of it."
Trust me for that" replied her
brother. "H there were more women
on earth like you and May, women
ready to use their influence over men
in this fashion, we should be a great
deal better than we are, my dear"
So James carried off his prize to his
own room.
The next evening, party OF gay
friends met, as they were often in the
habit OF meeting at the artist rooms.
Wine flowed freely, and the pictures on
the wall could scarcely be seen, for the
cloud of smoke that rose from their
cigars.
When the revel was at it's height
James Danforth rose from his chair
and held out his hand to his host:
"Good-by, Livingstone.
"What! are you going! So soon?"
said the artist, surprised.
boy"
''What do you mean?"
II mean," said Danforth seriously.
Chat there is time for all things,
and the time for reflection has now
come to me. We are all on the down
ward track, boys--you knowit as we'll
as l. An angel has warned me, and l
am going to stop now while 1 can.
Follow my example if you have
any regard for yourselves, or for
the mothers, sisters, and wives
at home that love you. Good-by,
boys, Good-by, Gervase. / shall Join
you here no more"
He lett the room. They all sat gaz-
ing at each other in silence. His
words had struck home into every
heart, as he had intended them to do.
One after another of the now quiet
party stole away with some excuse.
In half an hour after James Danforth
had closed the door behind him, the
artist sat alone by his freside, lean
ing his head upon his hand, and paz-
ing sadly into the burning Goals.
''The wives-the mothers-the sis
ters at home-who loveyou," he NUT
tered to himself. "They did we'll to
obey the call. I would have
obeyed it in my turn, but who lives
now to care for me? My mother and
May are both in their graves; sister, l
have none-wife I shall never have.
Ah, what does it matter? A short life
and a merry one for me, and no one
shall ever shed a tear over its ending.
l'll have another glass of wine.
What's this?
In reaching to the mantel shelf for
the glass he had left there, his hand
struck against the little ebony chest,
which stood in the place of honor,
directly under a little water-color
sketch made from the long lost child,
"May."
The silver key was in the silver lock.
The artist turned it, wondering how
the beautiful toy came there without
his knowledge. His surprise increased
when the lid few back, displaying a
beautiful drinking cup of gold, elab-
orately chased, and enriched with ru-
bies beneath the curving brim.
"What a beautiful thing!' exclaim-
ed the artist, lifting the cup from it's
bed OF rose-colored velvet. "Who can
have sent such gift2 Did those fell
lows bring it secretly with them to-
night, wonder? Anyway, it is per-
feet gem, and I'll fill tito the brim with
champagne, and seeif lean drive away
these melancholy thoughts"
Approaching the table, he lifted the
flask. Something flashed at that mo-
ment at the bottom OF the cup. Turn.
ing it toward the light he saw pict-
ure framed in gems, and bending near
er, the large blue eyes of the lovely
stranger at the concert looked up at
him from the depths OF the goblet with
an earnest appealing gaze.
He nearly dropped the cup in his
surprise. snatching the ebony case
from the chimney piece, he searched it
for some clew oi the mysterious gift.
Half-hidden in the velvet lining, he
found a morsel Of paper, and drawing
it forth, and holding it upto the light.