The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1895-07-20
3 BLIND LOVE
w,LK1E COLLINS,


The bad dinner was soon over. Nosoup.
Of course: fish, In the state of preservation
usually presented by Il decayed country
town; steak that rivaled the t%oughness of
india-rubber: potatoes whose aspect said,
stranger. don't eat u.s." pudding that
would have produced a sense of discour-
agement. even in the mind of a child; and
the famous English cheese which comes
to us, oddly enough. from the United
States. and stings us vindictively when we
put 1t into orr mouths. But the wine, the
glorious wine, would have made amends
full deficiencies of the food. Tumblerfnl
after tumblerful Of that noble vintage
poured down his thirsty and Ignorant
throat, and still he persisted in declaring
that it was nice. light stuff, and still he
nnforgivingly bore In mind the badness of
the dinner.
1.-THE feeding here" said this candid
man, 'is worse, If possible, than the feed
ing at sea. when l served MS doctor on
board II passenger steamer. Shall tell
you how ] lost my place? Oh, say plainly,
II you dou't think my little anecdote wor! "a
listening tot"
Very good. No o%tYense, I hope? That's
right! Well, sir, the captain of the ship
complained of me to the owners; l would
at the ladies' c%abin-doors. and ask how
doesn't know what they feel, without
knocking ut their doors? Let them send
for the doctor when they want him. That
was how l understood my duty; and there
place. Pass the win,. Talking of ladies,
what do you think of my wife? Did you
ever see such distinguished tanners be-
fore2 My dear fellow, | have taken n
fancy to you; Shake hands; III tell you
another little anccdote. Where do YOU
<h;rL ~ yyifa nipka1 ny ha,. fnShinunh ln
airs aud graces! Ho! no! On the stage!
The highest branch of the profession, sir
"a tragic actress. II you had seen her in
Lady Macbeth, Mrs. Vimpany would have
made your flesh creep. Look Mt me, and
feast your eyes on a man who is above
hypocritical objections to the theatre.
Haven't ! proved 1t by marrying an ac-
tress2 But we don't mention it here. The
sRvages in this beastly place wouldn't en-
ploy ME If they knew | had married a
stage-player. Hullo! the bottles empty
again. Ha. here's another bottle, full. l
love a man who has always got n full bot
tie to offer his friend. Shake hands. Isuy
Mountjoy, tell me on your sacred word Of
honor, can you keep Il secrets NV wife's
secret, sir! Stop! let me look ut you again.
smiles at me, when | am opening my whole
heart to him, by the living jiugo, would
knock that man down at his own tablet
What! you didn't smile2 l apologize.
Your hand again.; | drink yOur health il
your own good wine. Where was ~ What
was | talking aboutY"
Mountjoy carefully humored his inter.
esting guest.
You were about to honor me-" he said,
''by taking me into your confidence
Mr.. Vimpany stared III tipsy bewilder'
ment. Mountjoy tried again, In palmer
language; "iou were going to tell me q
secret"
This time, the doctor grasped the idea.
He looked round %cunningly to the door
"Any cavesdroppers:' he asked. "Hush
Whisper--this is serious-whisper! What
was it | was going to tell youY What was
the secret, old boy?"
Mountjoy then answered a little toe
readily: II think it related to Mrs. Vimp
any"
Mrs. Vimpany's husband threw himself
back in his chair, suatched a dirty hand
kerchief out of his pocket, and began tt
HERE'S a false friend!' the creatur,
whimpered. Asks me to dinner, an
takes advantage OF my dependent situa
ton to insult my wife. TIL loveliest o
women, the sweetest of women, the limo
contest OF women. Oh, my wife! my wife!'
He suddenly threw his handkerchief to tn,
other end of The room, and burst GU
laughing. "Ho ho! Mountjoy, what III
internal fool you must be to take me ser
iously. ! can act, too! Do you think
care about my wife! She was Il fine VIC
man once: sh IS Il bundle of old rags now