Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1889-05-11

ABOVE Hlm IN position he would perhaps
show some mdurdisC h~Ontc-so.Ee shy
embarrassment or confusion: but on his
frank, noble face there was no trace OF
either.
There's somewhat in this world amiss :
Shall be unriddled bv aud by"
said lsmay TO herself, as she watched him.
IF it were not SO, Paul would occupy one
OF the grand places these men cannot fu
SO worthily as he" She saw gentlemen
OF position talking to him, seeming deeply
interested in his conversation. She mo-
ticed another thing-his love was like q
watchful presence ound her; he never
forgot her; he seemed to be always think
ing OF her comfort, of what she would
like; and again the young wife said to her.
self:
No one could ever love me as Paul
does"
There came over her a vague kind Of
wonder rs TO what she would do without
his love. She might as we'll be without
food to eat, fresh air TO breathe. Life
without Paul's love! She smiled to her
self at the idea, and he, watching her
from n distance, earue to ask her why she
smiled. She looked with frank, sweet eyes
into his face.
81 was thinking what the world would
be like to me without you," she replied,
"and / cannot realize it,"
Heaven grant that you never may,
sweet! l shall never know what the world
is without you, for / could not live if I lost
you"
The time came when they both remem-
bered those words.
So the struggle went on in her mind
the passionate longing, the eager wishes,
the thirst for pleasure, the craving for
wealth, doing battle always with the love
of husband and child and the spirit Of con.
tent.
She had longed for fortune, and it was
coming To her; she longed for power and
position, it WAS 10 be hers: but she was
unconscious of it, and said to herself ut
times that her life would be spent in
dreams.
Que morning she sat in the garden max.
ing a faint p~retense at work, but the needle
had fallen, and the white hands lay ~listless
and still. She sat under the shade OF q
large elm-trce, and the sunbeams falling
through the green leaves were like a halo
around her, frightening her marvellous
beauty. She was engrossed in her Gay
dream Of that golden future, when the
little maid-servant came to tell her that .
gentleman wished to see her.
She rose hastily, Il crimson flush on her
fair face. a gentleman to see her! Whe
could it be?
Before she had time to ask the question,
she saw n gentleman entering through
the garden gate. He advanced toward hel
and bowed.
"Haye | the pleasure Of addressing Mrs.
Waldron?" he asked.
IL xHn- ao Il, 90, 49,. H. --oY~ .L~
had passed her life among that she blushed
and hesitnted. She could not help no
ticing that the stranger was watching her
intently, and that his eyes fingered OIL her
face with an interest that was not curiosi-
ty; he was studying every feature; and
when she spoke he listened eagerly TO
every word.
II must apologize" he said, "for intrud-
ing, but the garden gate was open, and I
saw You here. Time is very precious with
me. Thought you would pardon me IL I
followed the maid"
She looked at him as though she would
fain ask him who he was; but at that mo-
metN the strangers gaze fell on the lovely
little boy who was playing on the grass.
Suddenly a change came over his face; he
made a hurried step, and then stood still.
" Nhab youL &hlIt-NOul i
Waldr0nY" he asked, eagerly.
Yes" She replied; that is my baby
boy" /
II am very fond Of children said the
stranger; Twill you let me nurse him?"
He took the child in his arms, and looked
just as intently in his face.
"IIe is a noble boy" he said; va prince
ly child. What is his name, Mrs. Wal
| dron?"
She forgot the i%rregularity of the in
terview in her delight at the gentlemap's
admiration.
His name is Lionel" she replied, Eve
call him Leo. His father wished him to
take my name, but | would net consent"
Your name must he a peculiar one If
you could give it to a boy" he said; and,
if Mrs. Waldron had looked more intently
at him, she would lave seen that the sub
ject was one Of great moment to him.
My name is lsmay," she said, and at
the word a strange flash Of delight came
over the visitors face: and then Mrs. Wax
dron seemed to remember thar she had not
ye} heard the reason OF his visit.
Did you wish to see my husbandf" she
asked.
NO." he replied, slowly. my object in
waiting upon You Is 10 ask your pefnllS-
sion TO make a sketch OF this charming
little cottage"
Ismay looked up in delight.
"A picture Of my hOme,' she said. IT
think there can be no objection. Are you
an a~rtist?"
The visitor smiled a strange, peculiar
smile.
Not by profession; but I am fond of
drawing"
Then slowly, and with great art, ne
drew her into conversation. He told her
that he had heard her history and sympa-
thized with her. He asked her if she re-
membered anything of her life before she
came to Ashburnham.
II could not possibly remember" she
replied-'I was but three years old. The
only childish memory / nave is, strange
TO say, of my mothers hair-beautiful
brown waving hair-with which | used to
play, her face comes dimly before me at
times. remember nothing more"
lyon were three years DID," ne said;
show do you know thaty'
Il have heard Mrs. Hope say So" she
answered. When will you begin the
sketch?'