The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1889-05-24
2 II.

The squire sent for me that evening.
Something was wanted that l could do, and
he always favored me when there was. He
knew l didn't like to seem laid on the shelf,
though l was not the man l had been, and l
took the short way across the park. 1t was
a dreary way; there was no road laid down
exactly; but there was a trodden footpath,
and the squire allowed 1t to be used as long
as folks didn't misuse it or trespass on the
grass on each side.
tiled past the pool, and people were fond
of feeding the swans, and the master had
no objection as long as they behaved them
selves, for they were out of sight of the
house just there, and a good. way off any
how. The pool was long and narrow, a
queer shape in reality, but made to look
very picturesque by the fancy gardening
about it, skilful gardening that looked like
nature and lad nothing forr.' about it at
all. There was n very narrow eek of wa
ter at one end, like aminiatute strait be-
tween two lakes, and the pat, | spoke Of
led right to the edge of the water OIL one
side.
The pool was not more than thirty or
forty feet across just there. and on the
other side there was no pathway, only the
grass coming right Iowa 10 the waters
edge. No one ever went there except cur
OWL people. 1t was to be kept ua!isturbed
for the swans, and the master would have
shut up The path al;ogat!lcri if lie bad thought
anyone intcrfured With them. They were
very fine birds, ailI | always s.of,pcd to
have a look Mt them whenever | w.lt by
the lake, and this evening Ithousht they
looked as il HEY had been disturbed.
They didn't come to INC for something TO
eat, as they generally did, and they were all
huddled together in cue corner as II ti,ey
had been frightened. Ii was a lo.tly even
ing; the sun was setting behind tie great
trees that ware or TIE olller side If t.a wa-
ter, and saMdns ii rcd .isiit on it, hacking i.
iook as If it were on fire; there wasn't a
sound of ANYTHING to tell what had disturb
ea the birds, and We; they were disturbed;
there was 10 doubt about that. All, yes,
there was someone there, a woman stand
Ing right opposite me, as l halted on the
pathway.
Where had she been that | had not seen
her TIL now? l lad been Thinking about
the swans, and had not noticed her. She
had no business there, and I must warn her
OIL. could not help looking at her, MS she
$1,000 there quite qnlc!, with her hands
loosely ciasped in front of her, and her face
turned towards me. She WAS so very beau
uful. In all my life 1 think [ never saw
any woman SO lovely; she was fair, and her
halr was golden. real golden, like some of
the pictures in the squire's big rooms. She
was neatly dressed, but did not look like a
lady, and she wore nc gloves. Idon't know
now l came to notice her so much; it was
the surprise of seeing her there, Think; she
wasn't n lady, for she did not wear her
cio,sies with the air of one, neither were
they In such good taste as lady would have
slowu. l fancied she liked bright co,ors.
and L noticed that her gown WAS bluc.
l was sure of that, and Idon't know when
l have noticed a woman's gown before to
know the color of it.
You have lo business there, miss" |
said, speaking across tic water to her. The
squire does not allow anyone at that side of
the lake.
She didn't move or speak, and | called
ont again, but she took no rotice, and j
thought she must be deaf, so / went round
towards her; as / passed the e,id Of the wa
ter the deer in the park took a sudden rush,
and turned my head to look at them, and
when | looked back the woman was gone;
she had vanished clean cut of sight, and
the swans were sailing down towards me-.
as II they were relieved in their MINDS BY
her absence.
Shes taken the hint said to myself.
"Bnt Where cali she hare goIle to.:p
Except u few FINE Old. frees close by ths.
water, there vas no si.Qda Of any istid, ie
fa!ciset or shrubs ti.nt SssHli i RE aay:hia.
AMI yet l could let sec lpf. le.t cola a@i5