The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1889-08-09
CHAPTER II.
LOVE ANn rnrAcnEny.

Roland Ayrc haa heen growing des-
9erate GaYlis She last half-l,our.
lie has }lot ttahcca since K,tte left
him, and be has not spoken TO anybody
since he has managed 10 get away from
Grace; hut he has watched X lie ailX-
ionsly. and more than one he had gone
some little distance along or across the
room u speak 10 her. but has failed to
reach her side before she has baeu ear
RED on for another dance.
Algernon Colebrook seemed to lie as
much on the watch to attach himself 10
the fair lcitesS as he was himself, and
Roland felt that he had 10 time 10 lose
i'll securing the prize that SO many were
evidently anxious to make their own.
Fortune favored him at last.
Kate with her last part.lef passed
near the door just as the music ceased.
"Nil Won phiige ne By asking Miss
Wa'mer TO take some Refreshments"
said Kate to her partner, while she in
dicated Il very grim old maid sitting
alone Of III ottoman.
The young man obeyed. though he
did not like the task ass igned him. and
Roland seized the opportunity to offer
Kate his arm rs he said.
Let MS find q cooler room than this;
you mast be quite tired of dancing"
"0h no. | am not tired" she replied
lightly, though we will look for acool-
ef place if you like; but how the wind
is bowling, and | really believe it is be-
| ginning to snoW.'
1T is he replied, pressing her arm
to his side as he felt she gave a little
SILVER; but the snow is falling slowly,
and | dare say it will last a long time;
fortunately you have not to SO out to-
might
smile. Il heard papa say thatyou would
remain with us over tomorrow"
He made no reply, but led the way to
q small drawing-room which the sisters
used more than anyone in lie house.
Ii WAS deserted How, though Il bright
FIRE burned i'll the CRATE. and Roland led
the timid girl into the apartment. then
paused, and looking earnestly into her
deep dark eyes, he exclaimed passion
atelv:
Kate, I love you. Look al me-. dear
| est: tell me. will you be my wife,"
She did look at him.
The love written on his face was too
earnest, too overpowering to be mis-
taken, or to admit of any coGuetry on
her part; and she now answered as any
village maiden would have done:
Yes, Roland.n
HttS Was IL DougiIol uilSlietoe ldlB-
ing above them, but they did not need
love in which their lips first met: and
Roland had led Kate close to the fire
place, and they We're both watching the
logs burning brightly upon the hearth.
and he WAS telling her how dearly and
truly he loved her, while his arm clasp
cd her graceful form. and her head rest
ed trustfully upon his shoulder. when
the door of the room was softly and
noiselessly opened.
So absorbed were they in their own
happiness that they did not observe it.,
neither did they see the chiid-like
countenance of Grace, with a murder
Gus light IN her blue eyes, looking at
them.
She went away, however, without
making her presence known.
But as she left the room in which her
sister and Roland were talking of their
love, her heart seemed to take fire, and
her brain became active for evil as that
oil a tiend.
All the pent-up malignity in her IA
tlWe now asserted itself, and she was
ready to commit any crime so that she
might crafty her hatred and win for
herself some OF the great advantages
now possessed by her rival.
Love misplaced, and affection slight
ed are sometimes pleaded as excuses
for deeds of passionate revenge; but,
though the plea is a bad one, Grace Lii
bnrne could not shield herself behind
even that limsy pretext.
1T is trle that she coveted the nd.
miration and devotion Of Roland Ayre;
but this WAS rather because it was given
TO Kate than because she set any very
great store tlpon it for itself.