Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1889-08-31

dependent upon him, and he knew that,
somehow or other, it would go hard If,
with the help of the one hundred a year
that he had of his own, he did not manage,
with his education, TO get a living by hook
or by crook. So it was not the loss OF the
society of his respected uncle, or the pro-
spective enjoyment of two millions OF
money, which was troubling him. In
deed, after he had once cleared his goods
and chattels out Of Pompadour Hall and
settled them in a room in the hotel, he had
not given the matter much thought. Bot
he had given a good many thoughts to Au-
gusta Smithers' gray eyes, and, by way OF
getting an insight into her character, he
had Mt once invested In a copy OF "Jemi-
mas Vow" thereby, somewhat against
his will, swelling the gains OF Nelson's
to the extent of several shillings. Now,
"Jemima's Vow" though simple n
homely, was q most striking and powerful
book, which fully deserved the reputation
that IL had gained, and it affected Eustace
who was so much different from most
young men OF his age that he really did
know the difference between good work
and bad-more strongly than he would
have liked TO own. Indeed, at the termin-
alton of the story, what between the beau
ty of Augustus pages, the memory OF Au-
gusta's eyes, and the knowledge OF Angus
ta's rongs, Mr.. Eustace Meeson began to
feel very much as though he had fallen
in love. Accordingly, he went out walk
ing, and, meeting n clerk whom he a
known in the Meeson establishment-one
of those who had been discharged on the
same day rs himself-he obtained from
him Miss Smithers' address, and began to
reflect as to whether or not he should call
upon her. Unable to make up his mind,
he continued his walk till he reached the
quiet street where Augusta lived, and,
suddenly perceiving the house of which
the clerk had told him. yielded TO tempta-
ton and rang.
The door was answered by the maid-cs
all-work, who looked ut him a little curl
ously, but said that Miss Smithers was in,
and then conducted him TO "A door which
was half open, and left him i'm that kindly
and agreeable fashion that maids-of-all-
work have. Eustace was p~erplexed, and,
looking through the door to see il anyone
was il the room, discovered Augusta her
self. dressed in some dark material, seated
in a chair, her hands folded on her zap, her
pale face set like a stone. and hcr eyes
EuZlIlB llllO VACANCY. Il lStuSfGs NOntltE
ing what could be the matter, and as he
did so, his umbrella slipped from his hand,
making n noise that rendered 1t necessary
for him 10 declare himself.
Augusta rose as he advanced, and looked
at him with a puzzled air, as though she
were striving to recall his name or where
she had met him.
II beg your pardon" he stammered, ~
must introduce myself, as the girl has de-
serted mel am Eustace Meeson."
Augustus face hardened at the name.
"lf you have come TO me from Messrs.
Meeson & Co."-she said quickly, and
then broke off, as though struck by some
new idea.
Indeed, no." said Eustace. 81 have
nothing in common with Messrs. Meeson
now, except my Names; and l nave only
come TO tell you how sorry was TO see you
treated as you were by my uncle. You re-
member, / was in the Office"
"Yes," she said, with a suspicion of a
blush, II remember you were very kind"
well, you see" he went on, II had a
great row with my uncle after that, and
1t ended in his turning me out Of the place,
bag and baggage, and informing me that
he was going to cut me off with n shilling,
which," he added, reflectively, ''he has
probably done by now"
do ! understand you, Mr.. Meeson, to
mean that you quarreled with your uncle
about me and my bookst"
"Yes, that is So" he said.
at was very chivalrous of you,'' she In
swered, looking at him with a newborn
curiosity. Augusta was not accustomed
TO find knights-errant thus prepared, at
such cost to themselves, TO break a lance
in her cause. Least of all was she pre-
pared to find that knight bearing the hate
full crest Of Meeson-if, indeed, Meeson had
a crest.
81 ought to apologize, I" she went on pres
emily, after an awkward pause, 'for max.
ing such a scene in the Office, but / wanted
money 50 dreadfully, and it was so hard
to be refused. But IL does not matter now.
1t is all done with"
There was a dull, hopeless ring about
her voice that awoke his curiosity. For
what could she have wanted the money
and why did she no longer want it!'
II am sorry" he said. 'WiB you tell me
what you wanted it SO much fors"
She looked at him, and then, acting upon
impulse rather than reflection, said in a
low voice:
IF you like, / will show you"
He bowed, wondering what was coming
next. Rising from her chair, Augusta led
the way to a door which opened out of the
sitting room and gently turned the handle
and entered, Eustace following her. The
room was a small bedroom, of which the
faded calico blind had been pulled down;
as it happened. however, the sunlight, such.
as 1t was, beat full upon the blind and
came through 1t I'm yellow bars. They fell
upon the furniture of the bare little ruom;
they fell upon the iron bedstead and upon
something lying on il, which he did not at
hrst notice, because It was covered with q
sheet.
Augusta walked up to the bed and gent
ly lifted the sheet, revealing the sweet face,
fringed round about with golden hair, of
little JEANNE, In her coffin.
Eustace gave an exclamation and started
back violently. He had not been prepared
for such a sight; indeed, il was the first
such sight that he had ever seen, and It
shocked him beyond words. Augusta.
familiarized as she was herself with the
-companionship of this beauteous ~clay-cold
Terror. had forgotten that, suddenly and
without warning, to bring the living into
the presence Of the dead Is not the wisest
or the kndest thing to do. For, to the
living, more especially to the young, the
sight OF death Is horrible II Ia sncb N