The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-09-18
GREET Britain RIGHT RIGHTS.

treated that miniature they would have
felt perfectly justified in calling her a
crank. There was a ring in the setting,
and Agnes attached Il gold chain to
the miniature, passing the chain round
her neck, and wearing the miniature in
h bosom Of her dress. Often and Of
ten when alone she drew forth the
treasure and gazed long and earnestly
at the %features Of that young gallant
of a century ago., whose features APP
peared SO real, so life-like, that she
sometimes looked up, fancying that the
original might have stepped into the
room n be smiling at her
admiration.
At night before retiring she hung the
miniature on a nail over the head of
her bed, and one night she laughed con-
fuSediy as she caught herself saying:
You will act as a protecting spirit. l
can imagine that you were a strong and
honorable defender of our sex when
You We're alive. With you near her. a
woman need fear no danger!
"How foolish I ami" Agnes exclaim-
ed. yet T think my opinion is cor
rect. Fam sure it is! Alive? 1t seems
as If he ought to be alive and just like
that; but he is-dead!"
Her gaiety vanished, a troubled ex-
preston overspread her lovely fea-
lures, and she sighed unconsciously as
n turned from her contemplation Of
the miniature to that of her own re-
I1eCtlOn Iii the mirror. #U'5 TU.r 7-& t
Two days later there came an invita-
ton to a fancy dress ball. which threw
Agnes into an ecstasy Of delight.
DO you know, that is the
very opportunity I have been waiting
for!" she declared. Even since 1 dis
covered that old style dress in the chest
upstairs I have been looking for a
chance Of wearing it. Now 1t has come.
The dress fits me fairly well. and with a
few alterations and a little touching
up, it will do splendidly."
Mrs. Wilton laughed.
IT suppose the dress belonged to
some ancestor Of your father, Agnes.
I really cannot understand why 1t vas
SO carefully preserved, but that is how
things happen in this world. The moth
er saves it for the daughter, Who ven
crates 1t because it was her mothers,
and she hands it down to her daughter,
h not having known much OF her
grandmother, doesn't set much store
by 1t, and keeps it to please her mother.
In time the old thing Is turned out
by some practical descendant who
doesn't want useless articles. I don't
believe any one knew what was in
that chest. Well, wear it if it pleases
YOU"
Agnes arrayed herself in the ancient
gown and ruffie, and did her hair after
the fashion of long ago h looked
quite like a grand young lady of the
| dColSSS .c!lS llllStt nave ldliSlSu liz
: regent bowling to her and requesting
the favor Of a dance. Agnes thought
something of the same kind, but with
: this difference-that instead Of the flu
ture George w standing In front of
= her it was H. f., the man of the min
l nature.
Agnes was all excitement during the
{ intervening days, but at length the
. great evening arrived. She created
! envy n admiration in the ballroom,
l for she was the prettiest girl there,
3 and her quaint costume became he1
marvelousiy. Round her neck was a
e chain, the end Of which disappeared
within the front of her bodice. 1t is
needless to say that the miniature was
attached to the chain.
= Agnes's eyes wandered owe the room
: in search of some one, and just a shad.
= ow of disappointment clouded he1
: bright face.
s II feel certain that I should mee'
him here" she murmured. "Yet 1t wa:
3 foolish, I suppose! But that dream
last night was so real. He came up tt
: me and was about to speak, my hear
seemed to give a bound Of delight, an
then I awoke: I wonder what he wa:
going to say?"
She was seated in a quiet corner jus
then, while Mrs. Wilton was chattin;
to a friend e by. She drew fortl
II the miniature n gazed at it long
& / lliS1y. lOillCl . NOlSS LIS ~
to put it ava hastily.
my lear Agnes, we must be max
o ing our way to the scene of action ant
not sit here in this quiet nook. What
e ever made you bring that portrait?"
Part of the costume, mother dear!
d replied the girl brightly, affecting no
IS to notice the tnoe Of reproof n veX
g alton. "Oh!"
;, Mrs. Wilson, startled by the eXcla
nation, followed the direction of he
e daughters glance, n also uttered
j, little "Oh!"
l. There he is, coming: this way!
-. mur1nured Agnes.
Tha young man looks just like tn
- portrait-your miniature, I mean, Ag
- mes! How extraordinary"
Two gentlemen were a~pproachins
One was an elderly man, who locke
10 inelegant in a cavaliers dress, and tn
other vas a handsome young fellow
- who, as Mrs. Wilton remarked, was eX
- actly like the treasured portrait. ]
Agnes had looked pretty previously sh
now became positively b~ewitching a
i the color mt to he cheeks and he
s. eyes sparkled with joy.
"a May I introduce my friend-Harr
X. That was all that Agnes heard. He
brain Was In a whirl for a few sec
u. onds, n when she recovered her sell
III possession she was seated next to hil
n he was talking to her.
is, do you know, Miss Wilton, ! wa
al afraid that T should find no one he1
with q costume corresponding wit
Sc mine chr~onologically. My friend, NJ
Bate1nan, was even willing to bet on !
eK and I was so sure that he would wi
40 that I declined the offer. But I a NJ
y" been here five minutes before l sa
p you, and I maintain that our costume
We match exactly. 1t Is almost as If "
10 had known each other, but
81 seem as if 1 do know you. althous
We we have never met" aid Agnes shyl
lis this not like you?"
She drew the miniature from its hit
ing place and held it out to him. +
ZOE stared at 1t in amazement.
"It certainly Isl" he exclaimed. "B'
Yes where did you get it,"
ioI Agnes briefly explained.