The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1904-01-15

guided her to a chair, but insisted or
still disappearing her as between us we APP
piled the r~estoratives, and presently she
began somewhat indignantly to repudiate
our ministrations.
Come, let US go home, she said, u
sanlsquiIs abfcsta,%noW."
YOU really feel better?n asked the
lady with her. There is quite d bruise
forehead: Now = do hope it will
be well for Lady Brancepeth's ball next
week IS
HsasssOh, yes. I'm sure IT EwiIl!n said Miss
Grahame hastily. 81 feel ali right now.
Thank you SO much" she added, turning
to the shop girl who stood somewhat tear
fully at her side.
The other lady looked severely III her di-
rection.
lit has been avery narrow escape she
said, "and lie 1t had not been for this
young mans ~providential presence OF
mind, such carelessness might ave had
very serious results. My dear she con-
tinued, turning to Miss Grahame, this
young man has saved you from a very
nasty accident, and been most helpful
too. We shall not forget YOU. she added
condescending tome.
Miss Grahame looked n me and
b1ushed, and 4 felt like blushing, too.
I'm sure L ought to thank you very
much" she said, in an embarrassed but
wholly charming manner, while, as for
me, I was so overcome by this direct
speech and look from her that / could
only bow aWkwardly. and disclaim hay
ing rendered any service that called for
thanks.
I escorted them to- their carriage, and,
as they drove away I distinctly heard the
old lady remark:
very gentlemanly young man. my
dear. quite q superior perscn
Then the irony of the situation struck
mes., and I could not help laughing as i
ford to laugh. for 7 knew at least one
ball that M divinity would grace, and
that was Lady Brancepeth's.
She was an old friend of my mothers
when they were girls together, Z felt
sure IL / ran through my correspondence
of a month back / should find her invita-
ton among others, IL not already de-
stroyed.
I soon discovered II, and lost no time In
~resigning my position on the staff Of
Messrs. Price and Hunters establishment,
as 4 feltsthat that episode in my life had
served It's turn.
Isawaited the night of the Brancepeth
ball with Impotence. and over and over
again. wondered how she would receive
me.
When { reached Lady Brancepetf,s and
saw her surrounded by admirers, men of
every grade and fortune. my determina-
ton to be loved for myself alone wavered.
81 felt that to win her i could even stoop
TO see my wealth as a lever. even II needs
be myself come to play the role OF UNI
loved bridegroom.
When Guy B~rancepeth, my college
chum. came up to me and patted me on
the back. n asked, Don't you want an
~irtroduction to the belle Of the baIl?,' In
dicating Miss Grahane, glorious In the
white satin I had sold her my feelings
had become very mixed indeed. and I was
almost incapable Of speech when. without
waiting for my answer. I found he had
transported me to her presence, and pro-
nounced the mystic formula over us
which eliminates In orthodox acquaint-
ance.
Yes, she recognized me, there was nd
doubt about that, but IL she felt surprise
on annoyance she concealed them both
admirably. I could almost have thought