The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1903-05-22

lie gave the door Dell a sharp pull
and waited impatiently for some one to
respond. He had no right to be i'm
patient with any one but himself-his
heart told him that! but just the same
1T seemed that somebody was awfully
slow about answering that bell. He
time to walk to the end Of the
porch and back again twice before the
door was finally opened by an old col
ored woman, who, after gazing at him
blankly for a moment, gave a grin Of
recognition and began bobbing up and
down, looking more like a cork on q
choppy sea than anything else that he
could think of.
Why, Mr.. Jack! How you Is chang;
1 mos didn't know you," she said,
working In the words between the
bobs. An YOU had to wait till Chris
mas come round so you would come
back de same timesy o lef. Thank'ee,
Mr. Jack. Misunderstanding her hand
over a new half dollar-"I suttenly is
glad you come, I suttenly is. AN Miss
Grace gwineter be glad, too. Yes sub,
come right in and mex yo'se'f som
ftable an III go right long an tell
'er you come"
She went up the big winding stairs,
stopping at every third or fourth step
to glance back at him over her shoul-
der with a look of admiration. He was
III IdlSI1l, Nllll
shoulders broad and a graceful car.
rage. His eyes We're his best features,
DARK brown and,clear, but the face was
clean cut and most people thought him
handsome.
He removed his top coat, which he
hung on the rack with his hat, and
then slowly made his way across the
wlde nall, row beautifully dressed with
holly n mistletoe, and drew aside the
heavy portteres. Once more he was in
the gold and white room which he.
knew so well. Nothing was changed.
There was the piano where 1t had al
ways stood. He went over and glanced
at the piece of music which was open
on It. "A Dream Of Love-" he said;
that was my favorite; let me see,
What was hers-but oh well, what's the
use thinking about it anyway; It's all
oyer now n neither of us cares. so
what does 1t matter"
The holly in the big vases on the
mantelpiece looked just like that which
was there the day he went away, pre-
served IN Its freshness by some magic
power He could almost swear 1t was
arranged just the same way, and he
went over and pulled a spray OF berries
to fasten In his coat. Then he remem-
bered that on that Christmas. two
years ago., a flower, a rose, had been
pinned In his coat, and he put the bit
OF holly back again, but Just for a mo-
ment, and calling himself a fool he tool
IT once more and fastened 1t roughly to
his lapel, staring down into the red
Goals which were burning SO brightly in
h pen crate.
II ! hadn't felt positively sure, he
Went on, in his thoughts, I never would
have come; but then I didn't want her
to think that we were not good friends,
and as I had to come south again, and
at Christmas, too, I thought I might
call just for friendships sake. There
Were some pretty high words, but I
reckon We've both forgotten them now;
at least I know I have, and her little
note was very cordial. Let me see
how 1t went-"You certainly must not
leave town without seeing me, for the
sake OF h old days, and, besides, I
have q Christmas surprise for you.
Your flowers were lovely"
Now that was certainly a friendly
little note. / wonder what the Christ
mas surprise is? We always did have
some little surprise for each other at
Christmas. / see she hasn't forgotten
1t. Maybe she will suggest that we be
friends again, aye, and more. Maybe
h will be willing to forget the last
two years and we can be as we were
before. Maybe
She say h be down IN a few min
utes, Mr.. Jack" said the old darby
from behind the portieres.
All right" he answered; thank
you"