The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1899-11-25

Monica, peering into the boat. at lools all
right; l can't see a hole in it"
Its nothing but holes, iii my opinion,''
says the strange young man, peering in his
turn. "It's u regular coffin You will be
committing nothing less than suicide If you
put your foot in it,
.'Dear me,'' says Monica, blankly, feeling
impressed in si,:te OF herself, II do think I
am the most unfortunate person alive. Do
you know lifting her eyes to his, 81 didn't
sleep a wink last night, thinking of this row
on the river to-day, and now 1t comes to
nothing! That is Just like my luck always.
! was so bent on 1t; l wanted to get round
that corner over there" pointing to 1t, ITO
see what was at the other side, and now I
can't do it"
There is no reason why you shouldn't"
he is beginning, a~nxiously, when she con-
traticts him.
After all.'' she says, ,doubtfully, bending
over to look into the clear bed, of the river,
II don't believe. If things anne tothc worst,
and ! ddg get swamped, | should be drown
ed"
"Ceitainly not, if you could SWIM, or il
there was any II watching over your well
fare ION The banks that could.n
We'll, can't confesses Monica, with a
sigh; and unless yoat,a with an irrepressi-
bio laugh that shows all her white and even
teeth, will promise to r,uI along tho banks
of the river oil the afternoon to watch over
tie, ] don't think there is much chance of
my escaping death."'
II shouldn't mind in the least being on
guard i'll such a cause" says the stranger,
politely, with the same carefnlly-suppressed
smile upon his Fps (which are very hand
cn1noN 90 hpI NAVAL t1,n,, n ,,hiIn orn
"Conmand me If you will; but / would have
Q remember that, even though I should
come to the rescue, it would not save you
an unpleasant ducking, and and Your pref
ty gown" with a glance that is almost ar
fectionate at the white Indian cotton, .'would
be completely ruined"
Even that dire idea doesn't daunt me-"
says Monica. gayly; ''you forget that the
more limp l am the more aesthetic ! shall
Took. Well" with q sudden relapse into
melancholy, II suppose / must give it up,
and not go round the orner to-day"
"But1Chy nOt2' exclaims he, eagerly. "My
boat is at your service. DO take it. | have
quite done with it, l have indeed, and it is
lighter than it looks"
TOO heavy for me, l am afraid" says
Monica, with a sigh.
- is iii = rfiicii, with desperate tboiiIess,
"let me row YOU"
sOh, MOI, returns she, blushing warmly.
"You forget" with q swift glance at him,
ssyou ara quite a stranger to me-"
Yet he is not quite such Il stranger as she
thinks. She is not such a stranger to him
at least. because ller face, seen for a minute
about a week ago, he, haunted him persist
emily ever since.
AS we live in the same neighborhood, we
cannot long continue strangers" he says,
gently; "and, IN the mean time, why lose
this lovely afternoon. and that corner you
were speaking Of? The view of the sea,
when you get round it, is really worth see
ing"
"Yes, yes, I dare say" reluctantly turn
ing to leave him. Il shall sec it some day.
Look here says the young man, very
earnestly, following her as she moves. 'If
you will come with me you will see it no,p.
Twill only be your oar<man; | won't say a
word to You unless You wish it'll won't
even Look at You. Think of me as a omrnon
boatman you lave hired by the hour; or,
better still, dou't think of me at all. With
d little care you might bring yourself to inn
agine / wasn't there
But if VIC met any one?9' says Miss Beres-
ford, visibly relenting.
impossible! There is never n soul on
this stream save myself. ! have been here
now every day for ten days, and never yet
came upon even the ghost Of anything hui
man.
Very well,' says Monica, though still
with palpable hesitation. Now, remember,
you have pledged yourself not to speak to
Me, or to look ut me.n At this he fixes on
her 50 prolonged a gaze thatone may readily
understand he means ii to be q last one for
some time.
/. Then he turns aside, and, having brought
his boat to her side of the fence, holds out
to her his hand. AS lie does this he keeps
his eyes bent Upon the ground, as though
determined to let her know his penance has
already begun.
II am not i'll the boat YETI says Monica,
with a quaint little smile, laying her palm
on his. Whereupon he looks at her again;
and then, as their eyes meet, they both
laugh ioyously, as youth will when it meets
youth.
Lightly she steps into his boat, and slow
ly, lazily, no rows her down the little river,
-fower-c!ad OH either bank,-letting the
boat drift almost at It's own sweet will.
Monica is letting her little slender fingers
trail through tile water and the flat leaves
Of the lilies. lie, with his coat off, is pre-
tending to row but in reality is letting his
bCay grow subarvlent to his mind. He has
even adhered lonorably to his promise not
to look at her, and is still mentally a,Ebi-
tious about being true to Ills word In this
respect, when an exclamation from her puts
an end to all things.
0 look at that lily!' she says, excited
~. WAS there eversuch a beauty If You
will rev a little more to the right, l am sure
| shall be able to get it"
Don't stir. I'll get it, returns he, CRATE
full to The lily for this break in their pro
giamme; and presently the floating prize is
secured, and he lays 1t. wet and dripping,
IN her outstretched hands.
After all, you see, you broke your prom-
ise,'' She says,a moment later, most migrate
fully slancing up at lin coQuettishly from
u!.ler herlong lasles.
but who made me do it?"' asks lie, re-
PEACEFULLY, wliereupon SIZE laughs and red
dens.
u never confess she says, shaking her
pretty head; and after nll--do you know?
Il am rather glad you spoke to me, because,
though / like being quite by myself attimcs,
stul l hd.c silence when any one Is with
ina.n
so dol" says her companion, with the
utmost cl~eerfulness.
Il Think" leaning toward him with a
friendly smile, 4 cannot do better than be-
gin our acquaintance by telling You my
name. Its Monica Bercsford."
Monica" lingering over 1t lovingly; "a
beautiful name, I think. I think, too, 1t
sets You. Mine .s..not TO be compared to
yours; bit. such as 1t is, l give it youW
Ito throws a card into her lap.
Il hope 1t Isn't John Smith, says Monica,
smiling and picking up the card. But, as
ssllsTeads what Is printed thereon, the smile
fades, and an expression Of utter dismay
ovcrspreads her face.
6 'Desmond'~Oh! not Desmondp she
;aSs, imploringly, her lips growing quite
,a!c.
Yes 1t ts Desmord,y says the young man,
,lf amused, half puzzled. HHYou really
INK 1t ugly; then Do yon know I rather
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