The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1898-09-10

other furs, and,
What are you talking aboutin inter-
rupted her mistress, shortly, understand
Ing tie drift of the conversation perfectly.
That is not mine, Trewlclla; 1t is some
mistake, Of course. Ididn't want a seal.
skin, and told Captain T%redennick not to
get one, as I preferred the silver-fox for a
change. How stupid of the people! But
what Q beauty it is! 1t cost twenty guineas
at least!n
II there was q feminine passion in Mad
am Vivian's calmly decorous, self-con-
tanned, equab!e nature, it was a love OF
elegant, costly dress: and, despite the
treasures OF her winter wardrobe which
her maid had reckoned up, she gazed Mt
the splendid sealskin with longing eyes,
and buried her little white fingers in lite
gold-shaded velvety depths with q coyet.
Gus appreciation of its richness.
oh, dare say, Madam Miss Ire.
whella said, cycling the jacket in her turn
with greedy longing, that Captain Tired
ennick thought you'd like a new sealskin
too; though your other one is as good as
new nearly. The Captain is so generous,
and makes such beautiful presents" she
Went on; you remember, Madam, that
time you expected q black Maltese lace
shawl, he sent all those splendid lace
founces with it and your white lace fan"
Yes" agreed Madam, taking up the
sealssin Admlringly, II willing to be
persuaded that it was IN unexpected adj
dition to her generous nephew's costly
present. II really did not want this-fool.
ish boy!''
And is that for you also, Madamin in
quired Winnie, amazed.
Yes. suppose So" said Madam, care
lessly, as 1t a twenty-guinen scalskin more
or less, were no great matter. Help me
on with this velvet, Trewhclla; Stephen Is
bent on making the dtncnde honorable
with all his might. All, what is that,n
"A note fell from the folds of the velvet
as Trewhella shook 1T out, and Winnie
caught it up aud presented it to Madam.
What has Stephen to say, l wonder,n
madam murnlured, with q little satisfied
smile, tearing the envelope open.
"'My dear Aunt'-h'm-'I have at last
-h'm-h'm-'hope you will like it-ycry
best Siberian fur'-ah-'
A very long pause, in which Madam
stared ut pap:r,eSSinnsss..laDEed earn
.Sstiy NJ the rich gifts, thinking uaatbas
giver, and longing to hear every word he
had written, and Miss Trewhella decided.
within herself that she would have that
Astrnkhan jacket and muif TINT very day.
Madam might give her the other sealskin
too without being over-generous.
The letter dropped from Madam's hand.
and her steadfast gaze passed from it to
Winifred's unconscious face-a little sad.
dened. The girl could not help it while
thinking what Il beautiful lot of things-
new jacket, and dress. and boots, and
bonnet for herself, u little swansdown-
trimmed robe for Louie, u new umbrella
for fnther-she knaw he would like y nice
silk one SO much-and a nice Neat silk
velvet mantelet, the very thing she was
longing for, for mamma-twenty guincas
would buy, which amount had all gone
for that jacket that Madam did not want!
The magnetic attraction of Madam's
eyes made Winnie look W hastily; and
the face she aw-so set and cold, with a
hostile glimmering smile, like stormy SIM
light, on the proud mouth and naughty,
curving nostrils-almost made her gasp
with apprehensiye timidity.
II did not know that Captain Treden-
nick promised you a keepsake; my dcar.'
"No, he did not-that is. l thought he
was only Joking" stammered Winnie.
her heart beating madly. why, madam"
"Oh, nj Why at all, my dear, - said
Madam, flinging the note on the table, the
naughty nostrils dilating ~ominously, and
the pale, handsome face growing stony in
Its unapproachable halttC1U and cold in
difference; ''only l thought you would
have mentioned it when you knew that it
was coming to you. Captain Tredennick
is so generous, really l think he would
give away all that he possessed if he were
asked for it. Don't crush my sleeve,
Trewhella. Do o remember the time
when all those Llanyon girls got Captain
Tredennick to send them keepsakes Ire
whella? / thought l should nave expired
with laughter to see them all turning out
in coral necklaces md Indian silk sashes
every Sunday-the Captain sent them all
apiece"
"Oh, yes, Madam" said Trewhella, twit-
tering doubtfully, not quite certain from
what quarter had come her mistress con-
cealed vexation, and looking askance at
Winnie, who felt her very limbs trembling
beneath her.
Whatever anyone asks him to give is
given at once" Madam continued, laugh
ing. THE Llanyons were all wild for
Delhi embroidered sashes aud coral neck
laccs, and he sent them; and so l suppose
you gave u hint of your wishes, Miss Win
nie9'
what, Madam. Ididn't say anything"
said Winnie, the tears rising to her eyes.
Captain Tredennick said, the evening he
was at our house, that he would send me
a aying-6sh, or a string Of coral, or some
thing; and l said that 1 did not want any
thing. 1 did not ask him for anything,
Madam"
Her throat swelled painfully with pas
sionate excitement and reproach, and she
turned away to hide the Installing tears.
Dear me-" said Madam, coolly sarcas-
tic; don't make such III hysterical piece
OF work of it, Winnie. 1 have no doubt
you are very pleased and grateful for srch
a handsome, expensive present, but there
is no need to cry about it"
What present, Madam? 7 know of