Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1889-12-28

Francisco. Several residents from this
town were among the passengers. Mr..
Henry Clifford. very unexpectedly to
his friends resigned his position in the
Custom House and took passage. May
fortune attend him in the Golconda OF
the West"
Ten years passed. The spacious
salons OF Mrs. Rexford were filed with
the elite of the town. The hostess was
~promenading the room, leaning on the
arm OF n tail man with a bronzed com
plexion. BY her attention she APP
psared to be very much interested in an
account he was giving OF a narrow es-
cape from q band of robbers while pass
ing between one Of the mining dis
tricts and a city Of California.
Another arrival rather late one
announced. The gentleman paused at
ts:5 APPEARANCE Of tho newcomers. and
bent a quick. searching glance toward
one of the ladies of the company, but
seemed disappointed at the utterance
OF the name. as he Immediately re-
sumed his narrative, the hostess, after
the reception, returning to his side.
The.recital Of his adventure ended.
and the party last arrived having
recognized and spoken TO their ac-
quaintances, Mrs. Rexford wended her
way to where the lady. who she noticed,
had been followed by the eyes OF her
companion, was standing.
Miss Burdenott, permit me TO in
troduce To your acquaintance my
friend-recently from California-Mr.
Clifford" said Mrs. Rexford, present.
ing the latter.
"Miss-Aiss ~Burdenott.' unused
Henry Clifford. IF Mrs. Rexford had
said hrs. Burdenott. / should say she
wa the once Alice Thornton"
Miss Burdenott took Mr.. Cliford's
arm.
Miss B~urdenctt." said the latter, by
way OF opening the conversation, you
remind me Of a friend / had some
years ago. and, were it not for your
name, I should believe you were the
same, allowing for changes wrought by
line"
He felt a slight ~quivering Of the hand
resting on his arm, but did not attri-
btEe its origin TO what he said. With
out waiting a reply, be continued.
However. in features the likeness IS
complete; but In the expression | can
soc some difference"
He ceased speaking, and receiving
no answer, no cast his eyes towards
her countonance, and noticed that it
was pale. Surprised. he changed the
subject. Soon after he surrendered
her arm to an acquaintance; bat his
eve still wandered in her direction, and
bis mind REQUIRED to the effect Of his
observations. Once or twice her eyes
met his. but she would instantly drop
them, or turn some other way.
He retired from Mrs. Rexford's
house, bewildered. During all OF his
years of absence he had not heard from
Alice Thornton. and he supposed that
she had long since become the wife of
another. Miss B~urdenott's resem-
blance to his early love recalled the
past. and. but for the name, he would
have addressed her as his yet loved
Alice.
Moved by conflicting thoughts, he
entered his own room and threw HIM
self In a chair.
What if Alice repented Of the course
she was pursuing when | lefte What II
she has waited all these years, hoping
for my return? But no. it cannot be.
Ten years is a long time. The thought
Is a chimera, and ! will dismiss il rs
such" were the reflections that coursed
through his brain.
The next day o was falling. Ac-
customed 10 exposure and tired OF his
confinement, after dinner he sauntered
forth. Everywhere enterprise had pro-
duced change. Dwellings had been
changed into huge warehouses.
He was thinking of the change when
a little hand was put before him and a
childish voice said: Please give me
something to buy some Goals and some
thing TO eat. Ma hasn't had anything
TO eat since yesterday"
Casting down his eyes he beheld a
slight, frail figure seantily clothed.
Having a taste for adventure he in
Quired: Where does ma liveg"
Being informed. he told the little one
he would accompany her. Pleased with
his readiness. she moved of briskly.
He was conducted To a narrow street.
through a short alley. up two flights
of stairs, aud ushercd into a room.
Scanning il hastily he saw that the
meagre furniture was tidy. and that q
woman. wasted by disease. was lying
on q bod in one corner No fire was
burning, and the Dol was cold and
oheerless-
Taking out q piece of money. he
asked his little guide If she could go to
the nearest shop and order some wood
and coal. and something TO eat, and
have them sent in Immediately. Wait
ing q few moments, the needed articles
arrived, and taking the wood. with his
own hands, ho soon had q cheerful fire
blazing in the crate. He was on ths
point Of starting out in quest of .
physician whom the door opened. and
another girl, evidently acouple Of years
elder than the one with him. entered,
accompanied by . mufiled lady bear
ing . basket. The lady on beholdins
a man bending in front Of tho CRATE. Al
first drew back; but rs he rose, she
recognized him. moved forward. and,
throwing of the hood of her cloak. ex
claimed, '.Mr. Clifford"
Miss Burdenott!" was the response
A few words suficsd to explain thai