The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1898-03-12
CHAPTER VIII.
THE YJrv

Pauline Darrell was a keen, shrewd OBJ
server of character. She judged more by
small actions than by great ones; 1t wa c
characteristic of hers. When women have
that gift, it is more to be dreaded than the
cool, calm, matured judgment Of men. Men
err sometimes Ill their estimate OF character,
but it is very seldom that woman makes a
similar mistake.
The garden path widened where the tall
white lilies grew in rich profusion, and there
Pauline and Captain Langton walked side
by side. The rich, sweet perfume seemed Ia
gather round them, and the dainty flowers,
with their shining leaves and golden bracts,
looked like great white stars.
Captain Langton carried a small cane in
his hand. He had begun to talk to Pauline
with great animation. Her proud inditfer-
ence piqued him. He was accustomed to
something more like rapture when he de.
voted himself to any fair lady. He vowed
to himself that he would vanquish her pride,
that he would make her care for him, that
the proud, dark eyes should soften and
brighten for him; and he gave his whole
mind to the Conquest. AS he walked along,
one of the tall, white lilies bent over the
path; with one touch Of the cane he beat it
down. and Pauline gave a little cry, as
though the blow had panied her. She stop
ped, and taking the slender green stem in
her hand, Strengthened it.; but the blow had
broken one of the white leaves.
"Why did you do thatY' she asked, in a
panied voice.
ut is only a flower" he replied, with a
laugh.
Only a fiowerl You have l:illcd it., You
cannot make 1t live again. WHY need YOU
have cut its sweet life short?''
.sIt will not be missed from among so
many" he said.
"Youm might say the same thing of your
self" she retorted. "Thc world is full Of
men and you would hardly be missed from
so many; yet you would not like"
''There is some little difference between q
mai and n flower, Miss Darrell" he inter-
ruptcd, stifly.
There is, /. Iced; and the flowers have
the advantage" she retorted.
The captain solaccd himself by twisting
his mustachc and relieved his feelings by
some few muttered words, which Miss Oar
rell did not hear. In her quick, impulsivc
way, she judged him at once.
''He Is cruel and selfish" she thought; "he
would not even stoop to save the life of the
sweetest flower that blows. He shall not
o Iset killing that lily she continued, as she
gathered the broken ~cllalice, and placed 1t in
her belt. Every time he looks at me-" she
said, "hc shall remember what he has DONE"
The captain evidently understood her ami
able Intention, and liked her accordingly.
They walked Oh for some minutes In perfect
silenee; then Pauline turned to him sud-
denly.
Have you been long in the army, Captain
Langton?"
Flattered by q question that seemed to
evince some personal interest, lie fastened
to reply:
More than eight years. l Joined when 1
was twenty"
"Have you seen any serviccT' she asked.
NO" lie replied. "My regiment had been
for many years in active service just before ]
Joined, SO that we have been at home since
then"
''In inglorious ease" she said.
I'VE are ready for work" lie returned,
"When work comes"
"How do you employ your time" she ask
ed; and again he was tiattered by the inter
est that the question showed. His face flush
cd. Here was a grand opportunity of show
ing this naughty girl, this .'prondest Darrell
of them ALL that he was eagerly sought aft
er in society such as she had not yet seen.
you have no conception Of the immense
number Of engagements that occupy our
time" he replicd;;5'.I am fond Of horses-1
take an interest in all races"
II he had added that lie was one of the
greatest gamblers OH the turf, he would have.
spoken truthfully.
Horse racing" said Miss Da1rell-.tiat
Is the fayorite occupation Of all English gen
tcmen, is 1t not?!''