Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-05-26

4 ~ NV W no RltNfNN'1' - 'Rf
''that wild boy of yours is "A different
creature. And the intirmary nurse has
done it all. Not to mention the credit
that the doctor gives her for keeping
down the fever and managing the
| troublesome splints. He was the worst
boy in the school. | don't mind adj
| hitting tpyou now that | was contcm-
plating expclling him from our mem
bers."
.'Guy always was wild sort Of chap"
admitted Mr.. Paley. 'But his aunts
spoiled him. He never had any bring
ing up to speak Of"
~"Butthis illnyss seems to have exerted
a wonderful influence over his moral
nature" added DR.. DETER. "And |
really think Dorcas has done it ali.
Her influence has been wonderful"
"She deserves n great deal of credit,
I am sure" said Mr.. Paley. II
should like to see her, and thank her.
I've brought IL few presents for her-a
warm shawl, a silver snutf-box, and a
black stuff gown"
Dr.Dclfer gasped "A little.
"She-I don't think she takes snuff!'
said he feebly.
"All these nurses do"
s.Yes-but there she is now!.'
The door opened and Dorcas Wynter
came in carrying IA student-lamp.
which she had just filled and trimmed
anew.
Mr.. Paley dropped the silver snuff
| box in establishment.
81 beg your pardon, | am sure!'
| stammored he.
And when the doctor suggested that
| the nurse had better accompany young
Guy on the Journey home, she asscnted
| without a romonstrance.
Nurse. indecdw said Miss Sophronia
Paley, a gaunt high-featurcd damsel of
fifty. AS if IA pretty, simpcring chit
Of a thing like that could understand
anything about nursing!"
'She does, though" said Guy.
"She's n brick, Aunt Soph, And |
don't believe | should be alive now if it
wasn't for her"
You are quite well enough by this
time to dispense with her services
said Miss Sophronia. IA boy that eats
the quantity of mullins and plum-jam
that you did at tea last night cannot
call himself IN invalid any longer. She
has been here Il month, and
But she's not TO 90 away for all
that, Aunt Soph," said Guy. who vas
%devouring roasted chestnuts like a
dragon. Ask papa. shes to be Mrs.
Paley one of these days, and
"Mrs. Paley!' Aunt Sophronia
turned green and yellow. ''lt's come
to that, then, has it? Well, I've sus-
pected it this some time. And all I've
got to say is
Seven years from now" said Guy
with his mouth full of c%hcstnuts. Il
shall be twenty-onc and she will be
tweny-six. Not enough difference to
signify. And, "hc uttered with n grin, as
his aunt flounced wrathfully out of the
room, you'll get your walking ticket,
old lady, when I'm married. I'd as
DOR have n deaths head and bones
around the place any time"
He was sitting curlcd upinthc easiest
chair in the library, reading a book,
half an hour afterwards, when the
door opened, and his father came in.
Something i'll the paternal glance
and movement struck the boy.
81 mover saw father look so young
and bright BEFORE" he thought.
Something must have pleased him
very much. Perhaps Aunt Soph is go
ing to marry some old fogey or other,
and the coast will be clear"
$50 you knew all about it, Guyp'
said Mr.. Paley laughing.
"About what, sirP"
"About my engagement"
Tbn hznly eli ,,,;tL n~oeh 80 thn
floor.
"Your what, fatherp"
sat least you told Aunt Sophronia
about it. Well, I'm glad you are
pleased. my boy, and Dorcas says
she will always love you as if you
were her own son. AS a general thing.
l don't approve of s~tepmothers, but
you and Dorcas love each other sc
dearly that-Why, Guy, what is the
matter?" for the boy had rushed out OF
the room with an odd s%utfocating sen
sation in his throat.
He met Dorcas coming up the gar
den path with a bunch of scarlet holly.
berries in her hand.
"Dorcas," he cried-''Dorcas, you
are as false as the superintendent! You
BEAU
She comprehended him in aninstant,
though his voice was choked into
silence.
She flung away the scarlet cluster
and put her arms tenderly about him.
dear Guy" she whispered, II love
him; but if you are unwilling-if it
takes away any of the home-feeling for
you-it only remains for you to say so,
and"
Her voice died away. her head
dropped on his shoulder.
There was an instant's silence, and
then Guy said bravely:
"Well, so lot it be. My father is a
trump, and you are the only woman
alive who is worthy Of him. And /
suppose people would say six years
was too much difference in our ages
although how they're to get over the
fifteen years between you and father l
don't know he added with rather Q
forced laugh.
And then and there Guy Faley learned
his first lesson in self-abnegation.
Dorcas picked up her holly-berries
and went into the library, where her
promised husband stood.
81 have just seen Guy" she said.