Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1890-02-01
house, / believe. Tell me, which Of fhs,ser,

IL - the aFtaIn-Woman, bliss Snow. oend
her away"
The woman, who was young ami remark-
ably handsome, shrank back, her dark eyes
flashing angrily.
Dorothy fastened to her room, trying as
she went TO soothe Aily's terror.
The child was shaking with fear, and, as
II 1t were contagious, Dorothy trembled zoo,
ant felt afraid Of she knew not what. She
wished then night had passed, and decided
to keep Ally up till about nine, and then go
to bed with her.
While she was dressing, she gave the
child her beautiful cross TO play with to
quiet her, and old Agnes tapped atthe door.
Come In" said Dorothy, ~pausing, brush
In hand, just as she was about to smooth
Ally's dark curls.
IL have come TO fetch Miss Ally. Jane
wants to battle her early,a as she and a friend
are going to Cardiff to sec the circus to-
night"
II will battle her and put her to bed,
Agnes"
ut will be troubling you too much. Miss
Snow. Come, Ally, don't keep Jane wait
ing"
"No, Ally, you must not go. Pardon me,
Agnes, but Ally Is In my charge, and 1t Is.
thI tftd1tiC w " Y
Like a nursemaid," said Agnes a trife
insoiently.
"My dignity cannot suffer in your mash RS
service. / have decided. You need not
wait"
Agnes went away, silent but wrath full.
The woman still waited in the hall.
ut is no use, my dear, you can't see the
child tonight. The goyerness, as she styles
herself, won't allow the child TO leave hern
second. Masters orders, like enough"
Curse himP'
Flush, my grill someone will hear you.
Remember curses, like chickens, com t.ome
to roost."
The woman looked dreadfuuy disap point
ed, and bit her nails yiciously.
But / go away early in the morning, we
perform at Gloucester i'll two Gays time. so
| shall not be able 10 see Ally again. 1t is
hard 1 may not have access TO my own
child"
ut Is hard, j grant you, Alison: but you
brought the punishment on yourself"
II have a good mind to take her away by
force. She Is but a baby, | haye.a right TO
her"
"You forfeited that right when you wrong
ed her father. Surely you would not make
him suffer more than he las+done aire adv?
He dotes Oh the child her loss would drive
him mad"
II wish it would. I'd have him writhe in
torments. hate himr'
You cruel woman, Alison! He is right
to keep the child from you, if hetwants to
make a good woman Of her"
Hell never do that, she has got too much
Of the wild gypsy blood in her veins. She
Is the very spit of father"
"More's the pity. What my sisten, poor
soul, could see in that man, / can't make
OUT
Don't speak against father, aunt, or |
shall hate you. He is good to me, whom all
the world ~reviles; he is proud Of his hand
some girl, as he calls me-"
Handsome is as handsome does, TO my
thinking. 1t Is a rough night and bitterly
cold; shall | get you something before you
venture outg'
NO; l want nothing but a sight OF my
child. Food or drink under this roof would
| choke me. III go and sit blythe fire, though:
Il Is cold, il cuts one to the heart"
Alison followed Agnes down to a COSY
room, which was called the housekeeper's
parlor. Alison took of her hat, q SNOWY
arrangement Of feathers and velvet, and re-
moved her long sealskin HLaatle.
Seen by the bright light she was a grand
creature, a fine animal, perfectly formed,
but devoid Of soul.
The olive shin flashed into pomegranate
bloom on her cheek; her great black eyes
flashed in liquid light; 'her hair was thick.
shining like black satin, and hadr beautiful
waves la IL.
She sm0othed il with a Dlum,pwhite hand,
flashing with jewels. A square, mirror, in q
black carved frame, hung over the mantel-
piece.
She took a fame-colored handkerchief
from her neck and tied it over her head
with a gay laugh, and turned to the old wo-
man who was watching, arh said;
Tell your fortune, pretty lady, only cross
the poor gipsy's hand With a bit of silver.
That; the style, you see !saunt; I've notfor-
gotten the tricks of thcTradef'
Trust you to forget anything you ought
not to remember. You are, after all, a true
gypsy, though. Your father did hope to
make a lady Of you,by sending you to board
ing-school and keeping you clear of the
circus"
why should not a gypsy be a lady, i
should like to know
Because they are tire vagabonds Of the
earth. You can no mort make gentlefolks
OF them than you can make a black man
white
There now, be quiet, or you'll make me
angry. can be pretty spitefui when my
temper's w, / can tell you"
II know 1t TO my sorrow. Have you seen
Jem lately?'
M; where is hep
He has gone TO London to'bring down q
new cob the master has bought. Master is
fast growing a rich man, heiknows how 10
invest his money"
Yes, he Is shrewd enough; he was only
hoodwinked once, and that was when he
made Alison Lee, Alison Penfold. Lord!
what a life l led him. i wonder he keeps
you and Jem on; he must know my mother |
was your sister"
"Yes, he knows; but he is a Just man, and
does not visit your sin on innocent heads.
He knows Jem and i serve him faithfully
II can twist Jem round my little finger"
Leave Jem alone, you're no honestman's |
cattle"
Keep civil, old girl, or the next time you
go TO Cardiff Dock to see Jem's father, you'll
get a ducking; there are plenty out there
ready to do my bidding"
II am not afraid; the Lord will look after
his own.'
don't can't. You've got piety enough
| for a regiment OF soldiers"
Alison threw herself into a cosy armchair,
pulled out a tiny case Of cigarettes, lighted
one, and pulled the smoke ont In q big blue |
cloud, looking so insolently beautiful that
the old lady could but admire while she con-
demned her.
Meanwhile Ally and Dorothy had eaten
their dinner and sat before the fire in a big |
chair reading fairy-tales. The room was
warm and bright, and after q while Ally
| coaxed Dorothy to sing 'Froggy would a.
wooing GO" then, Ten Little Niggers,"
and still the little voice pleaded, Coon"
Dorothy sang a lot of nursery-rhymes, and
then, coming TO the end Of her resources,
! thought Of the Duchess's song In Alice in
Wonderland" and sang brightly.
Someone outside the room joined In the
chorus, and Drift reused mp and stalked to
the door with q growl.
Dorothy got up and opened the door she
could hear the swish Of siiken garments.
None Of the maids wore silk. Who could IL
be?
IF II were one OF the maids dressed up
for an evening out, It was very rude Of her
to mimic me-" thought poor perrlexed Dor