The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1892-06-25

nances which eyed her inquisitively. She
bore 1t as long as she could, then shc rang
the bell nervonsly.
Il shall take off my bonnet, il you will
kindly show me the way to bedroom" she
said, accosting the grim womaIi-seryant with
friendly warmth.
The woman surveyed her with hostility,
shifted unpleasantly and preceded her up the
staircase without answering.
Arrived in neglected chamber, Miss Pris-
ella looked round her with the inevitable
curiosity that spinsters bring to bear on tho
abodes of bachelors or widowers. The prct-
ty paper on the walls was mildewed, the
brown Holland blinds were dropping from
their rusty nails, and the mirror was so dim
that she could not refrain from drawing
finger across Its surface Then she blusled
ather action. what an old maid / am
growing" she said, and c1faccd the traces
of her handiwork.
Master allows no one in the Study" tho
servant informed her as she approached the
door on her descent
Your master will not mind me-" she said,
turning the handle and entering.
Here, too, the demon of neglect and disor-
der rcigned supreme; the crate was redden-
ed in spots by the last shower down the
chimney; the lnk-stan1 was filled with
thick sediment, and heap of pre-Adamite
pens lay beside 1t; when she selected a book
from the shelves 1t backcMed her fingers;
when she sat down the chair retained all out
line of her form. ut is perfectly disgrace
fulV' she said, flushing angrily; "and to
think Of that horrible woman pretending to
serve him! And, of course, he, poor dear,
notices nothing"
Miss Priscilla was In a scornfully indlg-
nant mood, otherwise she would not have
ycntured to jerk the bell as she did. Bring
me duster, please" she said, when the wo-
man appeared. The latter tossed her head
wrathfully and waited for an explanation.
None being vouchsafed, she ounccd of, and
presently returned with nondescript arli-
Gle. which she offered at arms length. Miss
Priscilla thanked her politely, closed the
door after her carefully,ahd then set to work.
She did not reason about what she was doing,
she only felt that Ii she was to sit in that
room it must be clean first and with her
snowy cuffs laid aside and her sleeves tuck
ed up, she got so into the spirit of her occl-
patton that she sang softly to herself over it.
There was not thing that she touched that
she did not renovatc, and, when all was tidy,
and the roses, gathered an hour ago., were
pouring their fragrance from a jar on the
SGiltCt-btplS, 4uiSo L liSCilik Sut QoNll ullV
sighed. Meantime, the rain had begun to
in the kcylole and Miss Priscilla bethought
herself of the luclless pedestrian.
"When Mr.. Hornby is out in the rainwhat
do you do?" she said, walking boldly into the
kitchen and assaillng the enemy in her
stronghold. y
"Do? Why,nothing. What is there to do?"
grlflly.
"Do you not have q fire lighted for him
and his warm things waitingw
''rhe master has no old maids ways that
know of, and, If you please, missis, you
will leave me to mind my own business in
the house where l have given great satisfac-
tion for over five years" This self-satistied
person leaned herself in n threatening atti-
tude against the table rs she spoke, and look
ed at the intruder soury.
"YOur business is to make your master
comfortable. and am sure you have no
stronger desire than to do so,' Miss Prs-
ella answered swectly.
I'VE never have fires in the rooms before
September
"And, in a general way, that Is quito
right" Miss Priscilla pursued with the same
serpent-lke smoothness; but, on exceptional
days, would you think it wise to break your
rule?"
master never asks for a fire. not If it trains
ever So" was tho uncompromising rejonder.
"Thcn would you not think it well to sur
prise him for once? He and l have been
friends for nearly forty years, and as lie is
not very strong, should like to know that
he is not running any risk. Wcttings are
dangerous, YOU know, and L dare say you
and would have difficulty i'll finding his like
Mo-, ,sN.ta 4
this clever Miss Priscilla looked nt her watch
and notified her of the necessity that she
would be under of returning home soon.
1t was after 5 now and all chance of Mrs.
Toms appearance that day was ended, but,
in the ardor of her work, Miss Priscilla had
momcntarily forgotten the subject of her
visit to the rcctory.
Three things in her last remarks had molli-
fed Miss Gaunt; first, she had known Mr..
llornby for forty years, and, therefore, was
not likely to prove fatal to his peace of mind;
second, she was about to remove her obnox-
ious presence from the rectory forthwith;
third, the rector was really q phenomenon
among masters,
Actnated by variety of motives Miss
Gmnt bestrred herself, and in ten minutes
n good bre was piled in the CRATE and after
y i'RAaS opuNN'iiIiS l'ifLllS> iotlctlltSi W
burn chccrfully. Just as If to convince tho
rcctor's guest that she knew what was what,
and could have things right when she chose,
the attendant spread spotless cloth for tea,
and brought forth honey and fresh butter,
reserved, no doubt, for her own use in gen
cral way, and made the toast delicatcly and
crisply, and being then Modified by her sue
cess, grew amiable, and urged Miss Priscilla
not to think Of venturing out in such soak
ing weather, us Mr.. llornby was sure to be
in presently.
Miss Priscilla went to the window and
looked out obviously. The wdcopen roses
were hanging their heads dcjectcdly. the
mlgnonette was stirring rcbelliously In the
wind, and the vivid greenneSS of the spongy
turf showed how thoroughly 1t had been
soaked. Rain was falling still, but occasional
riffs in the clouds gave promise of improve
.nei,. ., ana w. one decided, therefore, to
await it.
The rector felt, on his return,as If change
had come to the whole world. To find him
self cozly and comfortably and checrfully at
tea by his own tireside, with Miss Priscilla,
rosy from her past exertions, smiling oppo-
site him, and expressing a kindly interest in
all he hadt 10 tell delighted him somehow.
He could not have accounted for It, but he
felt as If he would like to go to sleep then
and there, to the musical accompaniment of
clinking silver and china and a womans
voice. Not that he ever indulgcd in an aft
erno0n's nap but he felt so soothcd and rest
ed 1t seemed as If the next step must be
slumber. But Mr.. Hornby was polite, If he
was anything. lie shook off the drowsy in
fluence, discussed Mrs Tom and tho best
way to reach her, feeling more than ever
how sad it was that Priscilla should fall into
her clutches, so that before his guest was
bonneted for her return home, the sun had
set, and the crescent moon had asserted itself
boldly in the watery Sky.
81 shall go down the village with you,"
Mr.. Hornby said when she wished to say
good-by; and in spite of her dcmurrings, he
got his thick boots and Oyercoat, and sailed
forth by her side.
In the air there was the softncss of recent
rain; the stocks and gillyilowers were pour,
ing out incense to the moon, while an ,lI-,