The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1888-09-28

iAAisS 1culSiS Icy toli III SOcleIV, ana
had been several times invited to her
receptions, so / WAS not surprised to re-
ccive>one day an invitation 10 dine with
her 'informally." TO meet a young lady
from Aiken, S. C. OF course | present.
cd myself at this informal dinner in full
evening dress, where / met some other
gentlemen in similar attire-C!arksop
was Il OF lhem-and n few youpo
ladies. and was introduced to mv
Agnes. II could only make you see
her as she appeared TO me that night
so fresh and blooming; the blue of her
clear, peaceful eyes; the delicious curve
OF the delicate lips! But enough that
then and there ] yiclicd. and became
her ardent adorcr.
From the first she distinguished me
with her favor. / was allowed to claim
the best dances; they were always my
flowers that she carried, and finally.
for sne returned TO Aiken, | was her nc.
cepted lovcr.
The year bad flown swiftly, and now
n brilliant prospect seemed to open be-
fore me. My firm were about TO es-
tablish II branch department in another
part of the city. and proposed TO make
II of their clerks n junior partner and
manager OF the new concern. 1 had
been the longest in their employ, and
had re:'son 10 think 1 was regarded
with favor by Oh! Grut2'-as Mr..
Grniiland, the senior partner, was call
cd--and he would be Inc one 10 make
the promotion and settle the question
Of salary.
Indeed, for some weeks ! had seen
that ho Was working the management
INTO my bands. so / felt just fled in
Wfll!ng 10 Agnes. urging our imnledi-
ate union. The dear girl consented,
and in the letter received that morning
she told INC she WAS coming again, to
make n long visit Il. The, Peytons, to
"io some shopping Enhancing
words. r. "
Well, she came. There was e. de-
mnro but delightful meeting at the s,a-
ton, and IN enchanting twenty min
utes until | delivered her TO Miss
Georges arms at the Peyton's door.
Then followed days OF devotion TO
work, followed by evenings of unallov-
ed bliss. | say "uualloyed,n but there
WAS II drawbacks. Tie Peyton fami-
~ were very c~pnsideratc, Miss George
~especiaisy 50, but my darling Agnes
was haunted with the fear that they
would think her visit Il them was only
10 enjoy my society. and was constant
y suggesting that we Should Join the
1amily in tho sitling-room." Old Mrs.
leyton was = bore, but q mild one
pateEiamilias an unmitigated one; Miss
George was benignant, but Slightly
'iresomc. There was only one other
member Of the family, q pretty little
fellow named Ralph. but the girls had
taken to calling him Raphael, from
some fancied resemblance to one of the
Sistine cnerubs. He seemed a quiet
ilttle chap. With y strcct innocence OF
expression and demeanor, who posed n
good deal of the time with his cheek on
his hand, after the manner Of the cher
ub aforesaid.
Agnes had been in the city n few
weeks when, II morning. the tele-
~phonesboll in our Office ram sharply.
rms was Of frequent occurrence, and
tlarkson's desk was stationed near 1t
to save time III answering the call. The
rest OF us scarcely looked up rs the IA
lnIIiar 'llullo!H was shouted, or the
concluding All right! I'll tell Mr..
Gfuffland. Good-by!' Buttlis morn
ing Clarkson turned to me with: This
II for you, Dixon" Accordingly ]
shouted ''iIullo!" and in return heard
Miss Goorgic's voice:
as that you, Mr.. DixonP Agnes is
here and wants 10 try to speak to You"
Then ] heard her giving directions.
Stand q little nearer; press this close
10 YOUR car--so.
Good morning" / called.
In reinrri heard q gigele. and my
Agnes voice e~Xclaiming: "Gh, oh! Ii
tiekies my carl" Then more directions
from Miss Poyton, and nj last the
sweetest voice in the world began in
as nearly as nigh. bc-a s~ten,orian
roar:
rs that really You, Harry? Isn't
MS perfectly sweet? Are you sure
they can | iiear in tile o~tlicc?n
'Wcil,n from George, II should saw
they certainly could, ii you shout like
that
Harry in 4 half whisper, .if You
are sure IT'S Won, and that 10 one else
can hear, ! want 10 tell you something.
30 you remember that queer Miss
Blake in AiSenp Do YOU hear me.
Harry; -
Yes" | returned.
Then another little gi~glc. ..Isn't il
too innhyP DO you know, Harry, now
that see how 10 usc it, | am going 10
Talk 10 you ever SO oftenr Won't IL be
funny? But where was /? bear me.
now sinpid. On. | know Miss Blake.
Neil, She has just sem ne the lowell
tst"
Here GARRISON mnttcred, "old GruH's
coming" and knowing he would ask
nm explanation of my receiving the tel
cplone messages, | was obliged TO alb
lnpWy interrupt: II must 20 nown-I
mad almost said my darling" Tell
lne the rest this evening""
Bat, lIarry!' ! heard n cricvod IT.
tie voice; but Mr.. Gruilland' footsteps
We're too neal and | hung the receiver
naSide down, and hurried back to my
dusk.
All day worked in nervous dcspcra-
Son. Would she try 10 resume tie
conversation? Every lime the bell rang
l Glanced ut GARRISON. Tn. thought
shat il might be her voice whispering
N his great red ear covered mo with
cold perspiration. The fear that III
~. 1rnlflani's hearing might be call
ai upon To answer some Of her chatter
VIZ stu worse. made up my mind
must make Agnes understand
&sat very night That she could not
muse herself in tim: way, and / did 50
gently, but resolutoly. I described
itarkson's ear, aud ] took some liber-
ties VIII ii. 1t would be lust like the
Wteict 10 receive nil her little conf
FENCES, and retail them for tho amuse-
meat Of the clerks.
Old GruT was an ogre, capable of
Diminishing me without warning, If | did
not attend every minute to my bust
ness. Our hopes of happiness depend
Ell upon his good pleasure. Miss Pcy-
ton was cool and dignified. suppose
she Knew was exaggerating. Agnes
looked hurt. Her sweet lins trembled
q little, and her eyes were suspiciouslv
..!n. longed to have her alone for a
little while 10 comfort her as | knew |
could, but there was no chance, for, al
though Miss Georgia relentcd sufficient
~ o go up stairseto write an '.import-
ant letter" Raphael was there, resting
elbow on the table and looking up