The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1893-11-18
OVER A WALL.

tions.
A wooden post was stuck in the CEN
ter of the gravel square, its purpose
vague; at Il few yards distant stood
a ma practicing at broadsword exc
else.
Sergeant Major Boyne, pa,ring from
his eNertions, addressed some one sit
ting OH the wall to his right.
Are you cold. Mattie?"
mo, thanks; it is warming to watch
you"
The sergeant continued his evolu-
tons.
Observation-Disclosures; right! One
-two-three four; LETT"
The girl clapped her ha4is. The
sergeant repeated the performance.
How jolly you look, cousin Jack!"
Mollie cried, as the cuts and thrusts
whistlcd through the air.
"Do u" the sergeant queried, SOL
EMMY regarding the post in the mid
middle of the ground.
you know that you look NICE" she
said severely; don't pretend"
He returned the weapon TO it's sheath
and looked at the girl critically.
"You know that you look nice cous-
in Mollie," he said with mock severity;
"don't pretend. You arc the pretliest
girl in Linbridge. All the men ut the
barracks say that of you"
DO thcy?" she cried with a gasp.
81 am so glad"
"Glad? Silly child! What is their
opinion worth?"
"As much us yours, 1 suppose" she
answered.
"Oh, of course"
She leaned against the wall and re.
fastened a buckle. She bit her lin
and tapped the rod bricks with her
heels. ~
Sergeant Travcrs came off worsted
among the men the other night,
heard"
The odds were all against the one,
as usual she said; your balrack
jokes are seldom funny"
He laughed. "Wny do you care for
him, Molliep"
u don't"
IAN right Mollic,n he said, in a
tone that indicated "all wrong"
"It's getting late," she Remarked;
sthev are setting the tealray."
"Shall help you down."
Her toes were on a level with his
chest us he fronted her. She care
fully scruntinized the height from the
ground.
mo, thank YOU"
"Oh, all ri"hl" he responded, with
the same dubious infection.
She heard his spurs click oven the
frosty ground. She watched the patch
of scarlet merge into the gloom and
reappear in the lighted room of the
house. Then the tears tricklcd down
her cole cheeks and froze there.
A boy was spinning n top in the
next gasden; she leaned toward him.
Little boy" she whispered, "give
me n push"
Tho little boy, mounting All invert-
ed bucket, pushed" and heard q muf-
fled thud on the other side of the wall.
Every girl in the little garrison town
who possessed an invitation to the ION
commissioned officers. ball was pre-
pairing for the evenings festivity.
Mollie Henderson pirouc.ted around
the small limit OF her chamber, a
gauzy being in white. The circum-
scribrd mirror had been tilted up and
tilted down, only aquarter of her form
being visioned at II time.
The edge of her skirt and white sat.
IN slippers were undergoing reflection
when her youngest brother shouted
through the keyllole:
you'll do, Mollie! You'll beat
Gorgina Webb hollow!!"
"Oh, Bobby darling; do you think
so?" she cried, opening the door.
"Posilive. Here are two boxes,
Guess ones from the sergeant"
Each box contained n spray of flow
ers. She held the red roses admir-.
ingly.
"Dear Mollie, please wear my flow
ers," was penciled on a sheet of paper
bearing the name of Sergeant Trav-
ers. The lilies of the valley were ac-
companicd by a scrap of paper, From
Jack"
(Which shall l wear, Bobby? she
asked excitedlv, laying tho roses ant
tbs lilies together against her bodice.
Both" the boy replied promptly.
"Oh, | can't. ] think-I think the
red looks better on the white. The
lilies arc a triile insipid; and yet-oh
| must wear the roses, the red looks
lovely"
She turned for her brothers inspec
ton. with the roses clustered at hel
breast.
"slnnnins! Now stick the lilies in
But they would look awful, Bob
by"
whats the odds? Cousin Jack
might feel hipped if you don't stick
'em somewhere"
Don't be SO. silly! The mon have
nothing 10 do with the flowers"
She gathered her gloves and fan to
getiler and FASTENED out of Bobby't
sight.
well" soliloqnised the juvenile
man, Il guess I'll keep my money il
my pocket before Pm soft enough tc
waste it on the girls"
'Did you receive the lilies" Sergeant
Major Boyne asked. while he and his
partner stood aside from the dancers
for a moment.
Eyes. Thank you very much"
You are not wearing them"
"Illese roses arrived ut the same
s'|Ht' - shoh-h4 thNll Nolol WV
such n pretty contrast for my gown
ut is very pretty"
"Arc you ANNOYED. cousin Jack?"
"Not at all. Shall we finish lhis
val>e?"
"Ye-cs."
Later on Travers claimed Mollie fol
a dance.
How good of YOU to wear my flow
ers," he murmnrcd.
Many of the men lounging round the
room envied the little sergeant rs he
passed with his partner. Her face
was flushed; her dark eyes shone bril-
liuntly.
u am tired" Mollie said suddenly.
They went to the end of the room,
where a portion was screened off. He
took her fan, waiting it for her winir
they talked.
al wish | were rich enough to mar.