Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-12-04
LIZZIE'S LOVE STORY.

er clea nor have the honesty to W up
that was ill-tcmpered by INDUCING in
q hearty shower; it just sulked, and, OF
all the forms that temper can take,
whether in, people or weather, that is
the most ~aggravating.
1t was growing dusk now; there was
not even a break in the lowering gray
cloud that spread acros the sky.
Lizzie Moore felt that she had put
up with matters just as long as it was
possible; SO she suddenly stopped in
prowling up and down the long vcran-
da. and glancing into the parlor to
make sure that Aunt Rhoda was busy
with her knitting, she dartcd down the
steps, meaning, ut least, to rush off to
the river and back, even if she were
drenched in the undertaking.
But of course, Ponto woke up sud
denly from a comfortable sleep, and
INDUCED in a series of friska and hearty
barks, preparatory to joining his young
mistress in her intended ramble.
The noise he made aroused Aunt
Rhoda from her work. She called out
at once: Mercy on us, Lizzie! you
don't mean to go out! why it's going
10 raint'
80 everybody has said since 6
O'Clock this morning. My opinion is,
they'll keep on saying it Indefinitely,
for | don't believe il will rain or clear
p either"
Don't be so unreasonable Aunt
Khoda remarked, in a mildly reprov-
ing way.
Il won't, aunty," Lizzie answered,
with her merriest laugh; ''but just now
! feel that must absolutely take a run
TO the river and back or | shall become
Il lunatic before bedtime
''At least put something over you,
then" said Aunt Rhoda, rising and
coming to the window. Mercy on us,
child! going ont with that muslin dress
and no shawl, and it looking AS
black"
''Ail right, Aunty dear!' and Lizzie
suatched up "A shawl which she threw
over her arm. and calling to Ponto,
started off through the grounds at II
pace so rapid that Aunt khoda had nc
time to call out any more words of
wisdom and advice after her.
Aunt and niece had lived together
for n good many years in that quiet old
house. for Lizzie's father had married
again when she was sixteen, and the
stepmother was only 100 glad to con
vince Mr.. Moore that it WAS quite right
that Aunt Rhoda should be gratified in
her wish to have with her the child of
that neglected first wife, with whose
history we have nothing to do-summed
up. in fact, in that one sad word | have
employed.
Lizzie was twenty-five now. Her
father had been dead two years. Her
life had been without much light or
shadow. destitute of great joys or
griefs; the sort of tranquil existence
with which the young are most impa-
lent.
Things happen so oddly in this world
shat you need not accuse me of beirg
either sensational or improbable when
1 say at this moment Lizzie Moore was
running listlessly forward to meet her
fate, She came down to the river, a
-x,.lY n...A - a,uZls.a ..ls-l&
but il looked dismal now, rs paradise
itself would have done in that gloom.
A boat was just putting into u cove
n shott distance below the spot where
she stood. Lizzie recognized the
worthy old squire and the little craft
with which he haunted the water every
leisure he could command.
There vas somebody with him, a
strange gentleman; and rs Lizzie looked
"a second time they were both walking
toward her, and the squire was waving
his handkerchief to attract her atten-
ton.
So up they came and the squire
called out. "What are you doing there,
you insane girl? Don't you see it's 90
ing to rain at oncep | was just going
tx make a run for it to your house and
beg shelter for myself and my friend
here. Mr.. Dudley"
Miss Moore looked at Mr.. Dudley,
and became conscious she was regatd-
ing the handsomest man she had ever
seen in her life-too handsome. almost;
one Of those goldcn-haired, blue.eyed,
tawny-bearded men, whose luck it is to
get so much feminine worship in pass
ing through this world.
A tall, splendidly built fellow, with
al air OF pride that would not have
misbecome Lucifer, which made his
Difference to u woman whom no wished
to please all the more charming. Such
a noble, grand look about him that one
would have sworn he never could have
harbored u mean thought in his life,
and that the dark rings about his eyes
which added so much to their beauty,
were caused by hard study or patiently
borne trouble, or anything in the world
except dissipation.
And he was bowling TO Lizzie and the
squire was saying; Now, there's no
time for ceremony. See that black
cloud coming up! We must make a