The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1903-06-12

word, mime and II the luck is with me
wire. yours I shall understand IT."
He wrung his friends hand.
Coed luck to you, Jack, although that
means the reverse to me, doesn'tit2"
The door slammed behind him and
~Steadman heard him bound down the
steep stairs, two steps at a time. He
gave a lew whistle, heaved a sigh, and
then, thrusting his into his pockets,
he fell into profound thought.
The two artists had long loved the same
girl and she could not choose between
them. Tho state Of affairs between the
trio grew frem bad to worse, until there
came a day when the two friends said
that It was unendurable, that she was
running their careers, and they implored
her to consent to a plan which they pro-
posed. Their proposal was that they
should each paint her portrait from mem
DRY. No names were to be affixed to the
pictures, and when they were finished
she was to choose between them. The
artist whose painting she chose was to be
her husband. The girl demurred for a
while, but in the end she gave her con-
sent.
II wish he had not gone.'' muttered
steadman. IT'S awfully hard waiting
here alone"
He rose and paced the length Of the
studio several times, coming at last to a
standstiu before the two pictures.
From the canvas q girls lovely face
looked out. In the actual painting there
was little. IT anything. to choose between
them; yet. In looking at the one you In
voluntarily Wanted for the girl to speak;
in the other, you expected no such thing.
''T1ow on earth did Dick get the soul
into hist" exclaimed Steadman ~savagely.
Tt is splendid" he muttered. '~'Splendid!'
He turned abruptly and fell to pacing
the studio again. The girls eyes seemed
to follow him with a half mischievous ex-
preston. while tho lips, half tender, half
scernful, seemed to emile at his discom-
future. He threw himself into a chair
with his back to the pictures. But soon,
chair 30 as to face them again.
WHY doesn't h GOMEZ" he cried
fiercely. starting to his feet.
Then a demon rose up within him and
whispered:
What IL she chooses his? You know it
is the best Loo at that rose she holds
so carelessly in her fingers; can you not
fancy that you smell its fragrance? Don't
you expect her to gtep out Of the can
vas and speak to your"
SteaAman drew his hand across his
brow.
"Ne one would be the WISER" the voice
went on. "Dick would go abroad at once.
YOu know he swore he would. Then
something could happen to the paintings
a f1re-they would be destroyed. Better
| pluck the flower that he has run away
frem! He wa not man enough to see the
game out. Treachery ?-Nonsensel They
would never suit each other, but-you
could. you weuld make her happy. You
feel that with her at you side you could
do great things"
He rushed across the studio to the
|ApaintfnEs standing side by side.
II must have you," he cried. ETHEL"
And the lovely eyes looked back at him,
mlschievously, alluringly.
There came a ring from below, followed
by the light tread OF dainty feet, ascend
ing the stairs.
Jack Steadman pulled himself together
with a guilty start, and hurriedly drew a
curtain before tho two pictures. Then
he went to welcome the anxiously awaited
visitors.
"Oh. Dick has bolted." he said, with a
somewhat forced laugh, in answer to
Ethel's glance OF inquiry round the studio,
"Bolted?"
There was surprise. anger and conster-
nation in the girls voice.
There was scarcely necessity for that"
she remarked coldly.
"Tou misunderstand me-" interrupted
Steadman. Dick has only run down to