The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1897-02-06
They were all assembled as usual at the

They were all assembled as usual at the
breakfast table.
Preferring the request suggested to her by
Mrs. Presty, Kitty had FASTENED the presen-
tation of the birthday gifts by getting into
her mothers bed in the morning and exact
ing her mothers promise before she would
consent to get out again. BY her own ex-
press wish she was left in ignorance of what
the presents would prove to be. Hide them
from Inc" said this young epicure in pleas
urable sensations, land make me want to see
them until l can bear it no longer" The
gifts had accordingly been collected in an
cmbrasure of one of the windows; and the
time had now arrived when Kitty could bear
it no longer.
In tho procession of tho presents, Mrs. Lin
ley led the way.
She had passed behind the screen which
had thus far protected the hidden treasures
from discovery, and appeared again with a
vision of beauty in the shape OF a doll. The
dress OF this wonderful creature exhibited
the latest audacities of French fashion. Her
head made a bow: her eyes went to sleep
and woke again; she had a voice that said
two words-more precious than2 1000 in the
mouth of a mere living creature. Kitty's
arms opened and embraced her gift with a
scream of ecstasy. That fervent pressure
found its way to the right spring. The doll
squeaked: s'Mamma!'-and creaked-and
cried again-and said: "Papa?" Kitty sat
down on the floor; her legs would support
her no longer. 81 think l shall faint" she
said, quite seriously.
In the midst Of the general laughter Sgd
ney silently placed a new toy "a pretty little
imitation of q jewelers. casket) at Kitty's
side, and drew back before the child could
look at her. Mrs. Presty was the only per.
son present who noticed her pale face and
the trembling Of her hands rs she made the
effort which preserved her composure.
The dolls necklace, bracelets, and watch
and chain riveted Kitty's attention on the
casket. Just as she thought of looking round
for her dear Sgd her father produced a new
outburst of delight by presentinga perambu.
lator worthy of the doll. Her uncle follow.
ed with a parasol, devoted to the preserva-
ton Of the dolls complexion when she went
out for an airing. Then there came a pause.
! Where was the generous grandmother's gift!
| Nobody remembered it: Mrs. Presty herself
discovered the inestimable %sixpenny picture,
window-seat. 81 have a great mind to keer
this she said to Kitty, still you are Ole
enough to value it properly" In the mo,
ment of her absence at the window Linley's
mother-in-law lost the chance of seeing hin
whisper to Sydney. meet me in the shrub
berry in half an hour he said. She stepped
back from him startled by the proposal
When Mrs. Presty was i'll the middle of the
room again Linley and the governess vert
no longer near each other.
TI,;... H. 4l,;, x:.,a a.1 ..--,e
Kitty got oil her legs. Now the spoil
child declared, addressing the company pres
ent, Pm going to play"
The doll was put into the perambulatoI
and was wheeled about tie room, while Mrs
Linley moved the chairs out of the way ant
Randall attended with the open parasoI-un
der orders to "pretend that the sun was shin
ing" Once more the sixpe"ny picture-bool
was neglected. Mrs. Presty picked it liz
from the floor, determined by this time tt
hold it in reserve until her ungrateful grand
child reached years of discretion. Size pu
1t in the bookcase between Byron's ''Dol
juan and Buffers Lives Of tho Saints
In the position which she now occupied
Linley was visible approaching Sydne,
again. "Your own interests are s~eriousl,
concerned lie whispered, Tin somethini
that ! have to tell YOU"
Incapable of hearing what passed between
them, Mrs. Presty could see that a secret I'M
derstanding united her son-in-law and TIL
governess. She looked round cautiously a
Mrs. Linley.
Kitty's humor had changed she was nov
eager to see the dolls splendid clothes taker
off and put on again. Come and look a
II - she said tn Svdnav. 81 want vnu tn or
Joy my birthday as much as / do" Left b.
himself, Randall got rid Of tile parasol b.
putting it OIL a table near the door. Mrs
Presty beckoned to him to join her Mt the
farther end of the room.
u want you to do me a favor" she began
0lancing at Linley before she proceeded