The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-02-07

the ragged terra Gotta e in the gar
den outside, for, in spite of it being
late October, the long French windows
We're open to the ground, and the even
ing air fluated in at them soft and
mild and scented.
The fire is a perfect farce" Nell
We're not that l am just the least lit
tie bit dull, and the blaze is SO bright
and companionable. After all" she
for I wan1ed intensely to go to this
particular ball. more, l think, than 1
eve wanted anything in my life before.
1t does seem hard that l should have
to stay at home just the very night
that the gunboat happens to be in the
harbor: however, it's only my usual
luck-pas dc chance ought to be en-
graved on my tombstone"
Nell gave her pretty shoulders an
other Disconnected little shrug. nibbled
her almond. and opened her book. But
the essays were as havorless as the
seemed to stretch before her in mel
ancholy perspective.
It wonder what they are doing now?"
she meditated. Ten o'clock-danciEg
l suppose: the Halloween anne will
come after. Oh. how 1 should have
loved ther,."
Suddenly her face frightened; she
started up with sparkling eyes and the
merrimest of smiles. 81 know what ]
will do" she cried. Il shall have Hal
try my fate all by myself with nuts
and apples and things"
Nell flew out of the room and came
back with a laden plate.
II am going to nave a splendid
time" she said, resolutely defying dull
ness. II mean to try all the things
that Jolly, musty, fusty old book, Pop
11lur AntionitiaS' talks ahOut on Hail.
lowe'en. Now, what shall 1 do first
Burn nuts, I think, for a happy mar
riage-that will be splendid fun. Here
is a little for me, and a big o
Captain Kit Stevens, of II. NJ. S. Agile
now heartlessly disporting himself a
the Halloween dance, while I. WIN
would dearly o to be there. sit mop
ing at home"
The pretty, soft color rose to Nell
nuts side by side on the bars, jus
where the fire burnt bright and clear
Burn away, Nell" she whispered
land. oh, burn away. burn away, Kit.
All went well at first, for the Kit-nu
caught fire at once, and smoulderet
steadily, but then came a harrowin!
moment. for 1t seemed as thought Mel
would never follow his example. Jus
as 1t was, really" Nell murmureC
Presently, however, a little blue tongu
Of flame curled round the Nell-nut, an,
in a trice it was all aflame. Then XII
gave Il hiss and a splitter. and Me-
held her breath, for it seemed a
though he were going to hop away al
together. "Oh, Kit, Kit" h cried, an
there must have been magic in her ap
pealing tones. for Kit made up hi
mind to stay, and, after one or tw
false alarms. the two fateful nut
burnt out slowly side by side. Ne
watched them with a little Statistic
smile. Dear old Halloween spells,
she murmured, a delightful sense c
mysticism stealing over her. Il alway
did believe in them. But I'll n.oke as
surance doubly sure; I'll w:l:rl the ar
ple-peel to form my loves initial; tn
old book says it is an unfailing test"
Diplomatic Nell chose a soft, tough
skinned apple, Il began pairing ava
at it cautiously. with knitted brow
and pursed-up lips. trembling lest ii
peel should break. for if it did ole
maidhood stared her in the face.
held, however, and presently h We
standing in the middle of the roo
; twirling it solemnly three times roun
her head and finally letting 1t Dire
gently to h ground over her lie
shoulder.
"a X" she cried eagerly. pouncir