The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1903-06-05
|copyrisht. 1905. by w. R. Hearst

"Now's your chance, old chap.
said Fred hurriedly. She's gone to the
7rawing room and Elsie is there with
he ladies' cigarettes. Choose your time
and go In and win"
Il really don't like It," said Jack,
loubtfully.
Rubbish" n they took him in
charge and led him out into the hall.
We've picked o as a suitable hus-
band for Nell. and marry her you
must" And even Tom patted him
feebly on the back as he passed.
What nave you got there, Elsie?
Chocolates?"
NO" said Nell's younger sister. TITS
.er.,,tobacco.> It's a packet OF cigar,
What" cried Ned. "You are going
to smoker"
Il don't know" said Elsie doubtfuily.'
"But-but look here, will you swear
not to tell any oner'
Yes. I can promise that"
Well. those wretched boys are al
ways talking about the pleasure they
n in smoking. so I've determined to,
test 1t for myself. You won't tell7"
7 daren't try any Of their tobacco,
because it's too strong. I'M Jack isn't
here. Oh, ! beg your pardon-I-
All right" said Nell wistfully. Jack
wouldn't smoke such rubbish as the
boys do. His tobacco's ever so much,
nicer"
81 bought this packet Of American
cigarettes some weeks ago. but forgot
them until today. They're advertised
as a cheap brand. twenty-five forI
three-pence. 1t. isn't very extravagant.!l
is it," h asked a~nxiously. 1
Elsie! Elsie!" cried some one.
There's some one calling me- she
said, pretending to listen.
Then Tom stepped back from beside
the door, where he had been standing,i
and ran into the room. well, you,
might come, Elsie" he grumbled.,
when a fellow calls for you.' !.
Depends upon what a fellow wants.,
said Elsie, going with him nevertheless.
She turned to Nell for a moment. why!
know what Tom wants.
l promised to go out with him on,
the tandem, and Fred and Charlie are;
coming asiwell. You'll have a splendid,
chance, for we shall be away at least an,
hour.' And away she ran. followed by
Tom. and waving her hand encourage;
ingly to Jack as she passed him in the
hall.
Left alone, Nell stood thinking Deep;
ly, with one foot tapping gently upon,
the fender. Already she realized that
she had taken up a wrong position.
The ultimatum which had seemed so!
heroic twenty-four ago. was now a;
ashamed. TIN very glad he didn't give;
way to me-" h murmured. and 1t was,
"a great pity she didn't speak a little,
louder. !.
AS for poor Jack, by the by. who had,
received strict instructions to count;
twenty after he heard the striking of a,
match. he was beginning to "wobble'' as!
Tom would have said !
The idea that a been with him
throughout the conspiracy now re-a
Cured to him with still greater force.
He did not like to regain his Neil by.
means of a trick. It was all very well
for Elsie and her brothers, to whom the;
whole affair was in the nature Of a
joke.
Il won't do It," he muttered, and
turned to go.
II won't do It," said Nell, as though,
echoing his thoughts, and Jack came to:
a s~tandstill in an1azement.
Nell also had made W her mind. IT,
Jack liked to smoke he had a right tot
DO SO and she had no right to prevent
him, especially as he was willing not to,
smoke when she was present. On the:
other hand, Nell started with q preju-,
dice against tobacco, and to smoke a
cigarette would probably not alter her
feeling in the matter.
I'll write to him and tell him Tn
very sorry" she said. and sat down to
the table with that intention. Jack
heard this remark and resolved to wait
no longer. He walked into the room
and found himself standing behind
Nell, who was leaning forward to dip
her pen in the ink. Knowing that the.
letter was for himself, he had no conf
junction in reading.
MY dear Jack" she wrote, and then
threw the pen down In dismay. "Oh, I
don't now how to write" she muir
INJURED. But II he were here I could.
soon tell him all about It"
Proceed" quoth Jack, and leaned
over her shoulder and kissed her.