Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-04-24
CISSY'S LOVER.

II was an ordinary picture "a pretty
slender young girl seated under an
ivy-wreathed porch darning stockings;
but Philip S%taunton's eyes frightened
as they rested upon it. and a strange
thrill stirred his unusually susceptible
heart.
"Have l travelled the wide world
over, and gone unscathed all these
years. he asked himself, "only to fall
in love at first sight with a rustic di-
vinity out in the wilds of Yo~rkshireP"
At the sound of his footsteps the girl
looked up with a startled air, the
lovely peach-bloom color deepening
and Frightening in her velvety cheeks.
What Cissy Moreland saw was a tall,
dark young man of %, with a m
what ~listless expression upon his fine.
handsome face. He wore a tourists
dress of gray tweed. and carried a
small knapsack slung across his broad
shoulders.
'May l trouble you for a drink Of
water" he asked, in a low, musical
voice, that made the young girl stare,
its refined accents were so different
from the rough speech to which she
was accustomed.
Cissy caught up her straw hat, and
bringing q tumbler from the pantry
shelf, led the way to the well, in the
shadow Of some lilac bushes at the rear
of the house.
Philip drank the cool water she
proffered as though it had been am
brosia. On returning the empty glass
his gaze happened to fall upon the pin
that fastened Cissy's collar. 1t was a
cameo of considerable value-a por-
trait finely and artistically cut. but it
did not look out of place, though her
dress was OF common alpaca.
81 beg your pardon" he said eager
ly, "but may l ask you where you got
that broochp"
at was my mother's' Cissy replied;
''that is why l like to wear it,"
"0h, an heirloom. Can you tell me
anything of its historyp"
Every little. My mother priced it
highly. The likeness is that of some
relative, a great aunt, l believe"
''Wha is your mothers maiden
manner" he inquired.
''Cicely Durrant."
Philip gazed at the young girl cur
iously. He would have said more, but
Mrs. Moreland's shrill voice sounded
at that instant, calling sharply for
Cissy.
Don't be lettering there, you good
for nothing child! You might try to
make yourself useful occasionally.
You've only been a burden to me ever
since your father died"
Cissy fitted away. a painful flush
suffusing her face.
But she had not seen the last of the
handsome artist.
That evening as she stood defect
eddy at the garden gate, wearied out
with the labors of the day and trying
to escape for a few moments from he
step-mother's shrewish tongue. he
came whistling along the lane, aud
paused beside her.
"You have been crying" he ex-
claimed, looking into her pretty forget
mo-not eyes.
YES" she admitted. at was very
foolish of me-"
THAT dreadful woman has been
scolding you againP"
81 deserved it, no doubt. l am not
strong, and cannot accomplish much"
Philip muttered something under his
breath.
"Why don't you leave herp Have
you no relatives to whom you could
goP"
CissY shook her pretty head.
s'rhere is only the great aunt of
whom l spoke this morning-and /
don't even know where to find her. 1t
would make no difference if | did. She
is very rich, but my stepmother says
she hates girls, and she could not be
induced to give M a penny"
Suppose you 60 away with mep"
The girl stared at him, her cheeks
flushed, her lips apart.
81 don't-understand what you
mean, sir" she stammered.
"There is no occasion to look so
frightful, little one, though it is very
sudden. But / took a liking to you at
once, and l cannot bear to see YOU
abused. / want you for my wife darl-
ing"
Cissv had had lovers before, but
never n for whom she cared.
A thrill of tingling sweetness shot
through her veins. She felt the spell
OF those magnetic dark eyes, but Philip
WA n stranger. and she dared not yield
to it.
"No, no-you cannot realize what
yOu ara saving. Or elae Won ara onIy