Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1889-10-19

4 III hAiObitE AlOlAClt nAG WIS Ou ufIh
which, notwithstanding its abominah
smell Of oil, seemed TO her the fairest al
most delightful place that her eyes hi
ever rested on-and being almost hugg,
by Mrs. Thomas, a pleasant-looking W
man Of about thirty, the daughter Of
Suffolk farmer who had emigrated TO Il
States. And then, Of course, she had
tell her story all over again; after whiC
she was led of to the cabin occupied b
the Captain and his wife land whic
thenceforth was occupied by Augusti
Mrs. Thomas, and little Dick, the Capital
shaking down where he could. And her,
for the first time for nearly a week, sh
was able TO wash and dress herself proper
ly. And oh, the luxury OF It'll Nobod
knows what the delights Of clean line
really mean till he or she has had to dis
pense with it under circumstances OF pr
yatien; nsr have they the slightest idea o
what difference to ones well being ant
comfort is made by the possession or non
possession Of an article SO common as
comb. Whilst Augusta was still combinl
out her hair with signs Of delight, Mrs
Thomas knocked at the door and was ad
mitted.
my, Miss, what beautiful hair you
have, now that it is combed out" she said
In admiration; and arms, tool never
saw such ~arms!-why. whatever Is that
upon your shoulders"
Then Augusta had to tell the tale of the
~tattooing. which, by the way, it struck
her, it was wise to do, seeing that she thus
secured O witness TO the fact that she was
already tattooed on leaving Kerguelen
Land, and that the operation had been OF
such recent infiict ion that the flesh was
still iniarned with it. This was the more
necessary as the tattooing was undated.
Mrs. Thomas listened TO the story with
her mouth open, lost between admiration
at Augustus courage and regret that he,
beautiful white shoulders should have
been ruined in that fashion.
"Well, the least hat he" (alluding to
Eustace) "can do is TO marry you after you
have spoiled yourself in that fashion for
his benefit" said the practical Mrs. Thorn
as.
Nonsense. Mrs. Thomas" said Angus
Ia, blushing till the tattoo marks on her
shoulders looked like blue lines in a sea of
crimson, and stamping her foot with such
energy that her hostess jumped.
There was no reason why she should
give an innocent remark such q warm re-
ception: but then, as the reader will no
doubt have observed, the reluctance that
some young women show to talking of the
possibility of their marriage to the man
they happen TO have set their hearts on, is
only equaled by the alacrity with which
they marry him when the time ome
Having set Dick and Augusta down to a
breakfast Of porridge and coffee, which
both Of them thought delicious, though
the fare was really rather coarse, Mrs.
Thomas. being unable to restrain her cur
iosity, rowed of to the land to see the huts
and also Mr.. Nelson's remains, which,
though not a pleasant sight, were I'M
doubtedly an interesting one. With her,
too, went most of the crew, bent upon the
same errand, and also on obtaining water,
of which the H6rpoon was short.
As soon as she was left alone, Augusta
went back to the cabin, taking Dick with
her, aud lay down on the berth with q feel
ing Of safety and thankfulness to which
she had long been a stranger, where very
soon she fell sound asleep.
CHATTER xII.-SoUTBAMPToN QUAY.
When Augusta opened her eyes again
she became conscious of a violent rolling
motion that she could not mistake. They
were at sea.
She got up, smoothed her hair, and went
on deck. to find that she had slept for
many hours, for the sun was setting. She
went aft to where Mrs. Thomas was sit
ting near the wheel with little Dick beside
her, and after greeting them turned TO
watch the sunset. The sight was a beau
tiful one enough, for the great waves,
driven by the westerly wind, which in
these ATTITUDES is nearly always blowing
half a gale, were rushing past them wild
and free, and the sharp spray Of their
foaming cres.s struck upon her forehead
like n whip. The sui was setting, and the
arrows Of the dying hight few fast and far
across the billowy bosom Of the deep. Fast
and far they flew from the stormy glory
in the west, lighting up the pale surfaces
of cloud, and t!nging the gray waters Of
that majestic sea with a lurid hue Of blood.
They kissed the bellying sails, aud seemed
TO rest upon the vessels lofty trucks, and
then travelled on and away and away,
through the great empyrean Of space till
they broke and vanished upon the hori-
IONS rounded edge. There behind them
miles acknowledgement Land reared
its fierce cliffs against the twilight sky.
Clear and desolate they lowered in an IN
utterable solitude, and On the snowy SUI
faces the sunbeams beat coldly as the
warm breath of some human passion beat
ing on Aphrodite's marble breast.
Augusta gazed upon those dIear cliffs
that had so nearly proved her monumental
pile, and shuddered. 1t was as q hideous
dream.
And then the dark and creeping shadows
of the night threw their wells around and
over them, and they vanished. They were
swallowed up in blackness, and she lost
sight of them and the great seas that for
ever beat and churn about their stony
feet; nor, except in dreams, did she again
set her eyes upon their measureless soli-
tude.
The Night arose in strength and shook
q golden dew of stars from the tresses of
her streaming clouds. till the wonderful
deep heay e rs sparkled with . myriad Of
gennmy POI, Is. The west wind going on
his way sung his wild chant amongst the
cordage, and rushed among tho sails rs
with a rush Of wings. The ship leant over
like a maiden shrinking from a kiss, then,
shivering, ned away; leaping from billow
TO billow as they rose, and tossed their
white arms about her, fain TO drag her
down and hold her to oceans heaving
breast.
Tha ri--g;n0 touAs,ad and Tho huoa a,;ls