The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1892-06-04
Called To Account.

| heart had arrived at that hopeful aye when
all things wear their fairest aspect. when
life eitsclfilows keasnooth unruf1led stream.
had Just attained my e-and-twentieth
| birthday.
1 was engaged to be married to a man l
loved. My chief friend aud companion was
the Belle of Rothsey, the envy and admir,,-
ton OF the whole village; her name was
Grace Merton, and she was the oveiest wo-
nan In theworid in my eyes | was an artist,
and 1t was my delight to sketch the perfect
face of my girlish friend and school compan-
ion. was not jealous. How could be
| jealous of bosom friend?
| Besides, had secured the heart and hand
| oil one of the most cnsica heirs in Rothsey,
and standing next in succession to a baro-
netcy. What greater stroke of fortune could
l secure had possessed the most beautiful
face in Christendom?
| was not beauty. but my friends all saS
a something in me: what that something was
| never had been able to discover | was
! ABOUT The average height. of somewhat stout
| frame, with dark hair ard eyes, and rather
| sailow compleNion--the very opposite to my
fair delicate friend, with her golden hair,
blue eyes, and exgusitcly modelled features.
had no relative in the world. except maid
en- aunt whom lived with but had money,
and, OF course. could command a wide circle
of friends and acauaintances. was proud.
and, with The exception of Grace Merton. /
| never admitted any woman into my conf
dence.
| was too proud to be Jealous, had too
much selt-rcspect;l | knew that If l had not
beauty, | had many other higher gifts to
make up for its absence, and ! had one Of
the pretiest homes iii R0thsey. was hap
py-ah! too happy TO last
was, at the commencement of my tale,
sitting on bench beside the clear brook,
which rpplcd at MY feet al the end Of our
garden, and on which the cheering sunrays
reflected two shadows-nly own and aunt
Betsy WHO sat beside me knitting, seeming
more grave and solemn than usual. She was
a prim spnster on the shady side of fifty, an
excellent and well-disposed creature, al
though perhaps given TO look on the shady
side OF things. she had corkscrew rnglcts
fastened back by side combs, a ilovid COM
plcNion, and Wore green glasses. One of the
most unpleasant features in my uunt's face
was her mouth; it was always set and grim;
1t never relaxed on any occasion: no frivo-
louS smile dared to iurk around its sacred
precincts She had long, long bid her final
adeu to this worlds glare and tinsel
Gertrude" she said, after n long pause,
u have been thinking over Your wish, and
advise you not to invite Grace Merton to stay
with you until after you are married."
opened my eyes to their fullest extent.
"Why after9' asked in astonishment
"My dear Gertrude, you don't face the two
sides of the question; she may be all very
well as companion; but have you consider
ed that your intended husband will be visit
Ing you at the same time?"
Il, IL. N.
her argument, replied:
"Of course. | have considered 1t, aunt.
surely the house is large enough to hold
both"
There was another awkward pause, Il Shift
ing of the green glasses, and again firm
hand on my arm.
My DEAR you won't understand me; there
are some women whom no houses are large
enough to contain. Suppose she should be-
come a-a-a rival?' finally burst out my
aunt, turning round suddenly, and facing
| me.
/ The latter word, instead of having its usual
effect, touched NE quite in a contrary drec-
ton. l burst out with a hearty laugh nv
aunt looking on with frigid seriousness all
the while.
"Chid!-why do you laugl9'' she said. aft
er regarding me tor a long interval rs it
80 very impossible for one woman to rival
another; and one who has such winning pret-
tness, and-and-?" She hesitatcd here,
and breaking off into another strain, remind
ed me that none of our family had ever been
beauties (Which fact she herself certainly
bore oup; reminded me also that my dark
heavy features would not retain youth in
them long, and that men We're always led
away nowadays by prettness.
Still bearing my aunts unilastcring conn
parison good-humoredly. ] replied:
Some men, but not such men rs Bernard
McGrcgor; besides, Grace Merton is my
friend" laid emphasis OH the last word
friend" my ideas on the subject being rath
er elevated. To me the word friend" com
priscd all a woman should be to another
genuine, true, steadfast, ready to sacrifice
anything and everything. Alas, placed too
high stake on frail wonan's friendship. l
judged others by myself.
My aunt saw that ! entirely ridicued her
caution: she knew that my will was as firm
and stubborn as my friendship.
Have your own way, Gertrude" she said,
rising and vending her footsteps towards
the house; you can never know anybody
until you live with them! But, come" And
my aunt was a sealed book to me for the rest
of that day
The following day Grace Merton arrived,
and was warmly greeted by myself although
received somewhat coldly by my aunt. Old
maiss arc often curious in their prcjudiccs,
and | attributed my aunt's formali;y to her
weakness in this respect
Grace Melton,I have neglected to mention,
was an orphan like myself. Perhaps this
similarity in our positions made the bond of
sympathy stronger between us, only in every
othcrrespcct we were entirely opposite.
She was fair and pretty, was dark and
ugly; she was penniless, and | was well off.
pitied from my very heart this young and
lovely girl left 10 battle with the world sur
rounded by all the alurcments and tcmpta-
tions which such beauty as hers would lay
her open to.
Grace met me with hearty embrace on
her arrival
MY dear old girl" she cried holdinng me
before her By my two hands; 81 declare Won
are growing quite pretty
smiled and shook my head. No, was
not weak enough to take that In. J. attrib-
uted this expression to the natural warmth
of her disposition.
In her eyes probably might have been 30
in the blind eyes of a loving fricnd but,
alas, when l turned my head and marked
the contrast in the opposite mirror, convic-
ton told me that If l was not positively ugly
i certainly had no pretensions to good
looks.
"Aly dear Grace" replied, "you are see
ing your own beauty reflected in me: but |
fear am very untattering mirror of your
self"
She laughed and circlng her arm in mine,
led me out into the lawn.
Nov, Gertrude" she said when we reach
ed the summer-house, "let us sit down and
talk. You can't think how curious am 10
see this intended husband of yours Oh, you
lucky girl, don't you appreciate your good
foriunc"
"IEdeed do, Gracc-1 lovo him with all
my heart"
Not ALL echoed my companion, placing
her arms around my neck. Not all /; reserve
a little corner iii your heart for poor neglect
ed, deserted me-"
glanced up at the lovely profile bending
down upon me, with its angelic softncss, a
| half-earncst, half-merry glitter in The azure
eye. gazcd at the parted coral LIS encas-
irg the white teeth, the thick cye-ashes
which swept the cheek, tinted with roseate