Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1890-02-15
folds hands, II he would consent 10 hush up
the part he had played as cruel guardian to


folds hands, II he would consent To- hush up
the part he had played as cruel guardian to
Dorothy.
Directly after this. they received notice
that Lees Circus would perform in New
York on a given date, and that il was be-
lieved that the child they had lost was
among the performers.
Poor baby what could they make her
do?' said Dorothy, tears in her sweet eyes.
Pierce set his teeth, and his eyes flashed
as he said huskily:
II will take a couple of detectives with
me, and see for myself. My poor babyl God
give you back to me, and there Is no other
blessing 1 need ask of Heaven, except its
care for my dear ones"
Pierce obtained the aid he needed. and
started of, full Of vague anger and excite.
ment.
One Of the detectives paid fortheir admis-
sion.
The money was taken by q handsome
gypsy In a lame-colored satin dress, sliroud-
ed with Spanish lace.
The sight of her almost unnerved Pierce.
1t was Alison, more handsome than ever,
with a proud e~xultant grace about her that
spoke of success.
Halfway down the bill Is stated that
miss Thistledown, aged three, would show
the Americans how easily the British Lion
was led" etc.
When the time arrived for this perform
ance, Alison entered the ring for the first
time as the Lion Queen.
She led in a huge sleepy-looking lion, who
was guided with a silken cord by a wee
thing dressed as the Grand Old Man, a
woodman's axe In hand, and a miniature
tree over its shoulder.
The figure wore pepper-and-salt trousers,
white shirt, and a pair Of slippers, and bore
q mimic head which was a splendid likeness
to the Grand Old Man.
After going round to slow music, the lion
lay down, and the child jumped off its back,
lifted off the mask, tore off her outer clothes,
and stood confessed q perfect fairy prince
In a scaly suit of silver mail.
After the performance, which elected q
storm Of applause, the child stood alone,
bowling prettily and kissing the tips Of he!
fingers.
The music ceased, and the child was about
TO bound away, when a man rose Up with a
h~eart-yearning cry of:
Little. Ally!'
Papa, papa, papav cried the mite, flying
10 the spot whence the sound proceeded,
and was clasped 10 her fathers heart, his
tears running down on her little pale face,
while the audience rose TO a man, looking
on in silent amazement.
There may be a scene, sir: make for the
main entrance, I'll 90 before, my friend b..
hind you. Now rush, OF we shall be mob.
bed"
How Pierce got through the crowd be
never knew. Outside they were stopped b.
a policeman, who, after talking to the de-
t~ectives, allowed them TO jump into a carr
age which was waiting with Dorothy inside.
She took the tiny, quaintly-dressed child
TO her heart, and cried over it quietly, while,
for the first and last time in his life, Pierce
Penfold tainted away.
Inside the circus all was confusion; the
people would have the scene explained SO
old Lee, a fine-looking old man, came otbe
front and gave his wi version Of the al air,
which was that it was all a part of the per-
Torrance, a dramatic situation to interest
the public in the clever little actress, etc.
But the old man looked anxious when he
left the ring and found his daughter raying
like a madwoman at the loss Of her child.
After this Alison fretted herself into a
fever, and her old father grieved over her
as over the most dutiful and yirtuous daugh.
ter the world contained.
Thanks TO his nursing, she came back to
life, a different woman though, broken in
health and spirit, with but a ghost of her
old superb beauty.
Pierce lost no time in returning 20 En-.
gland and taking possession of the Cover
estates; but poor faithful Jem did rot re-
turn with them.
At the last moment he wrote to say he
had zone with his relatives, the Lees, 20
tend the horses.
Pierce sighed, and said:
Poor Jen,, he may as well sell his soul to
the devil as 10 follow that FREELY of a We
man in hope of any reward. Well, I'll send
him a handsome cheque, lie deserves it for
faithful service 10 me-"
For once Pierce reasoned wrongly. After
| years Of deep loving devotion old Lee died
leaving Alison to Jem's care, and she, feel.
ing lonely, took pity on the faithful fellow
and married him.
She made him a better wife than many a
more yirtuous woman; and, when sturdy
children were born to her, loved her hus.
band, and helped 10 make the circus q great.
er success than ever.
Years have passed, and il is Christmas
again, and the world is white about Castle
Cover, a beautiful place on the summit of q
wooded hill.
Inside the grand old house all is mirtll
and revelry; a stately lady stands, the CEN
ter Of a rosy group of beautiful children, her
handsome husband leaning over her, and by
her side a slight dark-eyed maiden who calls
her 'motherr with as true affection as her
brothers and sisters.
Pierce Penfold kissed his wife under n
bough of mistletoe, and tells his guests,
among whom DIR. and Mrs. Steel are the
most honored, that Dorothy is priceless
treasure that he once FOUND IN A Snow.
DRIFT.