The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1904-12-30

road I hit something!
punch We're dispensed by Pompey, who
made q capital bronze cup bearer, in
color and figure, always ready to
serve de gemmen."
Mary and l We're getting on very
We'll. Grandma Steele had taken us to
the pretty table. We feasted, girl and
boy fashion; 1 had proposed a philo-
pena, II was about asking for one of
those pink ribbons, when a party of
gentlemen calne in, and suddenly the
alr changed. In a moment it became
evident they had iinbibed too freely,
and We're TOO hilarious for the society
of ladies'.
Grandma Steele drew herself up very
IAN, proudly SO. She smiled and talked,
but her smile was like the frost on a
window pane, and her words We're like
bits of Ice striking the sides Of a hin
goblet. In a quick undertone she gave
Pompey to understand the punch bowl
needed replenishing. 1t disappeared as
swiftly as if he had been a prestidigi-
.a'or: n the black conjuror forgot
TO bring 1t back. Clever Pompey!
Mrs. Steele smiled and tested gayly,
exchanging b%adinage in her light
hearted way, II looking very fair and
pretty. She riDpled out a merry laugh,
as one young man fell to his knees
Whlle making q gallant speech over
Ger extended hand. Across Grandma
Steele's face came a lash of color. She
stepped quickly toward her daughter
in-law, exclaiming:
Mary! Be CAREFUL" but she was
too late. The daring young man was
on his feet, and made a rush for the
now frightened lady. He caught her
tightly In his runken embrace, and
started to run off with her. The other
men We're laughing helplessly, treating
the matter as a huge joke.
Mary groaned and covered her face
with both hands, and I, in n fury of
rage. dashed in front OF the young man
and tore open his arms with the DOW
er and ease of some mighty avenger.
MRS. Steele, thus free1, fairly flew up
the stairs, her face filled with terror
and distress.
! stood by the newell post a second,
llushed and painting: gazing down in
disgust at the PROSTATE man. Then.
as Pompey lifted the drunkard to his
feet. a volley of curses, black and deep.
that We're intended for me, befouled the
air.
The memory of my mornings pledge
came to my mind. I walked to the
parlor. and said to the three GENTLE
men:
Your friend is i'll. He is in his car
rlage. Pompey is waiting at the door.
] Will make you excuses TO Mrs.
Steele"
They bowed themselves out in
maudlin fashion; and it was the proud
est moment of my life when Grandma
Steele laid her hand on my yellow head
n said, quietly:
My boy! My little protector. thank
you"
Mr.. Steele came in shortly after that.
Grandma Steele met him at the door,
II his order to Pompey, as L went
home. vas
w are not at home tonight. Pom
pey."
Tha same month l went to board
ing school, carrying my lady's color
with me in the shape of a pink hair rib
bon Mary had worn on New Years
day. Surely. there never was a prouder
knight than 1.
Year by year the good old custom
dwindled; killed by just such sights as
had disguised my young soul. The
gorgeous tollettes moderated to modest
gowns. Luxurious tables shrank TO
trays OF cakes and wine. or cakes and
coffee. Men walked. or rode in street
cars. to pay their calls. Family re-
unions began to be popular. Still l
made my annual call on Mary and her
mother. and grew no nearer.
The stately Grandma had passed
away. and Mary sometimes wore her
pearl-set miniature. Then my home
was desolated. My mothers death left
me sad indeed. Mr.. Steele was a kind
friend in my trouble, and when the
worst was past Mrs. Steele showed her
self still merry. childlike and young.
Mary, alone. l could not fathom.
had beer in Paris two years. and
had correspondent with Mary in frater-
nal fashion for more than a twelve
month; when I suddenly wrote an i'm
passioned letter. telling her of my
life's love, and imDlorinE her to be nv
wife.
She responded briefly. and in the
tone used through all her letters: II
thank you for the high compliment"
she wrote. nut why not keep on in u
old friendly way?'
This was too much. l was hurt deep
~. never answered her letter. and re-
solved to keep aloof. now and forever.
Toward the end of December l became
uneasy. and resolved to go home, or.
at least. to old New York. We landed
on New Years eve, n on New Years
morning. as the bells of st. Margaret's
were Ginning for service ] found my
self opposite Mary's house, looking over
at the old place, with the same old boy
ish interest.
What a change from the old days!
Every shade of every house On the
block entirely covered it's window, and
on each bell-pull was a tiny basket
fastened with n bunch OF gay ribbons. /
was indignant. "a nice way that" I
argued. mentally. ito treat visitors on
New Years day" A closed house, in
deed! 1t should open to me! And that
basket: Probably it was the gift Of
some fond lover like the Mayday bas-
kets of the olden time. Tied with
Mary's favorite color, too! Very we'll!
1 would take it down and offer her my
congratulations. when l handed her the
basket!
So I mounted the steps and gave the
bell knob a vigorous pull. Old Pompey
opened the door. He knew me at once.
and smiled broadly. as he said:
Miss Mary. she'll be delighted. Dis
visits SO o%n-reglar; jes whut she likes"
When Mary came she seemed a little