The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1888-09-28
her command by which to communi.


cate with him.
I AsyeArswould doubtless clapse be-
fore they wouid return, and what things
might not happen in a veara
a few days before Alcnc sailed for
the old world. Raymond Ogere sat up
on the balcony of his hotel in Paris.
He had been Mt that city three weeks;
for, after leaving Alene. he had unex-
pectedly founi it necessary to start for
France Immediately, on business for
the firm.
Glad he WAS of this means of dis.
traction from what had cast 6 gloom
over all his prospects. Not rs hereto
fore di he enter upon the trip withen.
orgy and interest, but 10 Zee from bit
ter disappointment.
BY his side sat 4 lady, VINO had done
much 20 brighten his vuyaeo thi,hcr.
and his sojoprn in PARTS. This was the
Countess Brittoie, who had beer, visit.
ing some friends amory the Auicri-
cans.
The countess was poor, and owned
nothing but an ~owi-haunted chateau
away Oh somewhere where she never
went. but which size cherished rs the
sole remnant Of the past glory of the
Brittole family.
Plainly the countess had expressed
her admiration for the elegant young
men oil the United States, and plainly
had she shown her admiration for this
particular young man by her side.
Slicswas 4 widow, and quite her own
arc, to he sure; but what did such
things matter, so-long rs people agreed
and We're happy? And then her posi-
ton gave her such rare opportunities
TO advantage nm ambitious man. And,
uncouselous!y, Raymond found him
self listening to this wooing, and when
ut parting for the night, the countess
laid in his hand n tea-rose she had
worn in her hair, he actually caught
himself murmurib@ some very mellow
sentiment.
Fifteen minutes later. as lie stood
alone in his chamber, he opened his
memorandum book 10 make an entry
therein something fell TO the floor. AS
he bent 10 find il, he sew only n dried,
crinkled bunch of apple-hlossoms. Yet
he snt, forgctful CT everything else,
gazing upon ii, until at last two tears
fell plump upon the little dead petals.
Whatever he had thought of the
countess, she was now forgotten, aud
in her place lie saw u fresh, slim girl
in white, with pink cheeks and pink
flowers peeping out behind them. He
had that morning decided, his business
being now properly adjusted. TO take IL
run over 10 Switzerland, rs the count
ess had said she should do. But, in
stead, lie took up his newspaper and
looked al the steamship list Within
twenty four hours he had engaged q
state-room on n steamer bound for New
York.
s.
A jar, Il crash, a shudder felt from
stem to stern. and Aleno was wide
awake in y trice. People were rush
ing on deck-eyeryb body was frantic
what had happcnedo
They had collidcd with another steam
CT, and 'heir own ship wa slowly fill
ing and sinking.
At length it was discovered that the
other ship was comparatively unin-
iurcd, ana boats were put ont. and the
lhrong OF terrified passengers convey
ed as rapidly rs possible to the other
vessel.
With nc baggage and little clothing,
just rs they had fed from their state
rooms, they were conveyed on board
the waiting steamer, Il crowd of woe
be@onc, frcn2ied, frightened people.
Warm-hcartcd passengers were watt
ing TO receive and aid. and women and
children We're carried by strong arms
TO the welcome hooks of shelter pro-
vided for them.
One gentleman-e finely formed fel-
low OF about thir stopped short, as
the pickering liz sof the cabin fell on
the face OF tho young girl he held. She
had not tainted, but she was weeping
Historically, and needed nothing about
her.
Her g~old-brown hair fell in masses
over her white wrapper, and bangled
in his hands.
lie staggered against the partition
Tor an instant, then, controlling him
self, he was about to pass on, when
some II darted past him. He stead
led himself ut once. He seemed to re-
aliZe the situation.
"Ah, Mr. Willis, here is your-wife."
Mr.. Bob Willis turned.
My what9n he asked, looking rs if
the terror of the night had been such
as to leave him prepared for anything.
"Your wife,
"Oh! ah!-you are mistaken. sir.
All. ] see, old friend Ogere! How dye
dopn and the next moment ne was
gone.
But Aiene, from the momen Ogere
had spoken, ceased her weeping, and
was low staring INTO the face above
her " with wido-opeu. rational eyes.
She knew thai voice, and ali fear was
gone, yet she WIS muci! ovcrwr0umht
still, She had heard what Ogcrc had
said, AMI remembered the note.
His wife, Never she cried fierce
". ADO you think / would ever marry
such a creature as thataS'
Then the comical sideof he Situation
s%triking her, size burst into hysierical
laugtter, in which Deere i5tned, so
overjoytd was he at the discovery he
had made.
OF course it had MI been y mistake;
yet, had not Bob Willis intimatcl he
was engaged TO this girl. aud even
shown him her note OF acceptance?
Yes, MIR. Bob had drRo All this in
order to rid himself OF u formidable
rival. and lie had ~succroieG; but his
vanity had oyerieaped itself, and he
had not found the poor but beautiful
Miss El!erby SO much in love with him
sell or his monoy-bags as with her
memory of the absent.
After AL, in !hese modern days, it
is refreshing 10 meet with Il little seu-
slmenl, though there are those who are
totally unprrpared for it.
"lhcy must have broken of" Thought
Deere. us he finished his promenade
with Alene.
"Will you be my wifep" he Whisper
ed, rs they sat down. And now his
tone is sober enough, goodness knows!
And for answer Alenc turns her poor,
foolish, toar-stained face. and hides it
on his sleeve; for, between laughing
and crying, she dcspairs of trusting
her voice.
But she does not turn upon him the
look OF scorn she had SEM after Bob
Willis. and the movement bespeaks
some little interest in his companions
ship that is remarkably satisfactory to
Raymond Ogere.
at is an Ill wind that blows no one