Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-12-04

ing away; but before he went ''the old
story was whispered by his lips and
went straight to Lizzie's sonl, and she
knew that she had come nto possession
of her Kingdom at last; she loved and
was beloved.
The next morning Dudley was
obliged 10 leave; but, brief as
the time was. he found an op-
%portunity to lay his case before Aunt
Rhoda, who could not have refused
Lizzie anything if she had tried; and
moreover. she vas quite dazzled by the
young fellow. | told you he was one
of the men born to be petted and spoiled
and worshipped by women.
He pleaded for an early marriage.
The instant he obtained a consent to
any at all he began entrcating that it
might be IL speedy one, till at last. be-
tween a little natural horror at the sug-
gestion and bewilderment from teasing,
and his beautiful, beseeching eyes,
Aunt Rhoda cried out:
''Anybody would think you supposed
you could take her with you tomorrow
morning without a thing ready
II wish | could he interrupted.
What is the use of such IA getting
readyP'
But Aunt Rhoda was firm. The
earliest period she would hear men
toned was the month of October.
"And it's only the first of july now!'
exclaimed Dudley, and the agitation in
his voice was not acting.
You're IA spoiled, bad boy" said
Aunt Rhoda laughing, Go along and
let me go TO bed"
''At least. we need have no secrecyp'
he asked. Il may tell everybody what
Il prize | have won?"
by all means; | hate secret engage
ments. secrets of all sorts" replied
Aunt Rhsda, energetically.
SO Clement had TO be satisfied with
that and went away. But he was back
before the month was ont; between
then and October made many fleeting
visits, and with each Lizzie's happi-
ness grew brighter.
He had told Aunt Rhoda that he had
been learning to attend to his profess
sion rs Il lawyer; he had been rather IA
lazy, wild dog-he was sorry for it now
His fortune was somewhat embarrass-
ed, but he should set it all right; he
showed her now in II sketchy, brilliant
manner. which was so effective that
Aunt Rhoda, keen rs she was, did not
perceive how little real information
there was in the account.
Lizzie Moore was rich-$l00. 900 in
her own right, and Aunt Rhoda told
Clement there would be almost as
much more coming from herself.
Il shall not tell you | have never
thought about this" he said; ..you
know it will make no difference to me.
| am not going to say | despise
money! like the good it brings;
bnt cant think about it yet; | want
Lizzie, not her fortune"
He looked so handsome and so no
BILE as he said it that Aunt Rhoda felt
quite proud of the prospect of posses
sing such "A nephew. Then the time
passed on till it was within a week OF
Lizzie Moore's wedding day.
Dudley had come TO pay his last Wis
it.; an intimate friend, who "a to be
the best man, accompanied him in or
der to make Lizzie's acquaintance; and
n young lady, who was to be one of
the bridesmaids, was there also. SO
they spent IA delightful day and the two
gentlemen were to go away sometime
the next afternoon.
And the delightful day came to an
end, and with it Lizzie Moore's last day
of girIish peace and trust ended, too.
1t is an old. old story that | am telling
you; but it was Lizzie's own, as new
and strange to her as if countless other
hearts had not suffered the same pangs
so | shall tell it to you.
Late that evening Clement Dudley
and his friend had gone down to the
village to SEND a telegram to town; and
while they were out Aunt Rhoda went
to bed and Miss Glare soon followed
her.
Lizzie was not slcepy,so she let them
think she meant TO 60 to her own
room, eXtinguishing the lights in the
library, and went out into the shrub
berry TO dream in the moonlight.
How long she sat there she did not
know. What reused her was the sound
of voices close ut hand, just outside the
little thicket where she sat dreaming,
its no use to talk, Harry; | don't
love the girl never shall! Call me
what YOU like; I'm not to blame
1t was Clement Dudley's voice; the
words seemed fairly to turn Lizzie to
ice. If she had been dead she could
not have been more powe,.oSS 20 move
or speak.
Il did love Madame Santaine; I'm
such a fool believe | love her now, in
spite of everything she has done"
Even to compare the two!' ex
claimed Gresham. why, Lizzie Moore
is an angel beside that woman with all
her beauty and coquettis'i arts
Don't preach as il you thought me
a monster, Harry; | am doing what
men do every day. | shall make her a
good enough husband-she will be con
tent"
And if the day should come when
she discovered that you did not love
her?n
at never will can trust myself. p"
Poor girl!'