Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-04-24


But don't expect to become my heiress.
My will is already made and does not
give you a shilling. AMY DURRANT.
"Bless mel" Mrs. Moreland ex.
claimed, startled almost out of her
senses. cit is from that miserly old
woman, your grand-aunt. How did
she learn your address, l wonderf
And she has actually sent a check for
ESQ to buy a new outfit and defray OK.
penses. Well, l neverv"
Cissy's heart beat high with hope
and expectation.
IL may gop" she cried, in an eager,
pleading tone. .
Mrs. Moreland frowned.
II don't know how to spare you,
just as harvest is coming on, but that
grabbed old maid would be angry if
refused to let you 60. Yes, you might
as we'll begin to get ready"
Cissy was quite startled by the mag
nificence of the grand house where her
grand. aunt resided when she arrived
there a few days later.
Her grand-aunt, q wrinkled old
crone in black velvet and lace, vel
coined her with q kiss.
"You have your mothers face, my
dear. l am glad Of that"
"Oh," cried Cissy. eagerly, "do you
remember my motherp"
Certainly. used to wish she was
a boy that 1 might leave her my
money. But girls are not OF much
consequence in this world. l had lost
all trace of poor Cicely. And SO
Robert is deadp He vas a good man,
but sadly wanting in energy"
''How did you find me, Aunt Amyp'
That's a secret" she said with an
odd twinkle in her beady eyes. by
the way, l see you wear a cameo
brooch that was your mothers. l,
was cut in Italy half a century ago.
Do you know whose head it tsp"
Yours, Aunt Amy"
The old woman laughed softly.
"Yes, dear; though it does not bear
much resemblance to me now. One
changes in fifty years. There were
two cut at the same time. I have al.
ways kept the duplicate"
1t was a charmed life that opened
for Cissy. The gay city, with all it:
attractions and novelties, seemed like
enchanted land. She was thoroughly
happy, for the first time in her life.
Miss Durrant appeared quite fond Of
her, and her sweet dreams were never
interrupted by Mrs. Moreland's sharp,
rasping voice.
Six weeks went all too quickly, and
at last she was summoned to her great
aunt's dressing room.
1.-THE limit Of your stay has OK
PRED" Miss Durrant said, looking q
her keenly. II hope you have enjoyed
YOURSELF"
Every much" Cissy returned, he,
sweet voice choking a little. at was
very kind OF you to invite me here"
Are you ready to 60 homer"
Whenever you think l had bette,
60. dear aunt"
Two or three great drops fell dowr
the girls pretty face. She wiped then
surreptitiously away. but not before
the cunning old woman had see them
"Cissy," she cried abruptly. "wha'
il I were to ask you to remainP"
The girl sprsng toward her with ar
impulsive little cry.
"Will you, auntP o, l would be sc
gladP"
"You a stay upon one condition
/ have learned to love you, but my
will is made, as l wrote you. 1t can.
not be altered. ever to please you. The
bulk of my fortune goes to my half
sisters son. a very worthy young man.
Cissy, you can remain as his wife! !
have communicated with him, and he
is willing to consent to the arrange
ment."
Cissy grew very pale. Consent to
marry a man she had never seenP No,
that would be impossible, eve If Phil
ip's image did not fill her heart.
81 must CO." she said, sadly. There
is no other way"
At last, when the good-byes had
been spoken, she CROPPED her way
blindly down stairs. A gentleman
stood neal the drawing.room door. AS
she looked up a startled cry broke
from her lips. Philip Staunton!
"You hereP How very s%trange!"
She blushed furlously, but, as the
young man opened his arms, Cissy
leaned her head upon his shoulders
with a weary sigh.
'Are you glad to see me, darlingp"
&c whispered.
G(lh uorv oIadtO