Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1890-04-12

"Rlcnard, 1 WANT 10 Tell you SOME
little things-confdential, you know,
strictly confidential
"Yes,n be said, vacantly.
Orchard, this is midsummer; but /
suppose you know people wear flanDels
in winter-time-ladies do"
Her seeming ~irrelevancy might other
times have startled him; now he only
sighed inquiringly.
"Well?p
"Well, last winter-you remember
how cold it was-how many lannels do
you suppose mother and had apieceY'
Three, perhaps" he ventured ,weari-
"No, indeed; we had three between
us. This kept us washing M twice a
week, which was tiresome, beside wear
ing out the garments. Fancy having
one such article of clothing and taking
it off at bedtime TO wash it that it may
dry by morning. Isn't the thought
a~bominableY"
The long, quivering breath that he
drew smote her painfully, as she felt
that, through her, his heart must ache
a long time, perhaps forever.
She could not look at him. He rose
without speaking. Perhaps he could
not trust his voice.
"You are not going, Dickp But per-
haps you haven't been to supper"
Il don't know" he faltered. II must
60 and finish some work. IL hope
you will not do anything hastily. Rob
ertine, remember-remember l am your
friend-always." Then he went out
and away.
Mrs. Ferris slid the doors ajar and en-
tered.
Gone at last?" she asked, glancing
through the window at the tall form
crossing the street with slow, dispirited
gait. IF he doesn't look common."
Robertine had gone to the piano.
Mother" she said impatiently. IF
Maj. Drummond proposes again you'd
better marry him. He's uncommon
enough 10 suit you-especially his tenn
per-"
She could have sobbed aloud, she so
hated herself. She fancied Richard
ascending TO his poor across the
way-his gray, cherries, pathetic room
and sitting down uncontrolled among
| his manuscripts. She could see his pale
face, his sad, brown eyes. She hated
herself, and her mother. and Wilfred
Wales, and all the cruel, bitter world!
She tried a strain of Mendelssohn's
| music TO soothe and strengthen her, and
her mother spoke. as If reminded:
"The piano rent is due tomorrow,
Robertine. Don't let me forget;they are
very exacting."
RObertine changed 10 fierce opera
melodies, and immediately Mr.. Wilfred
Wales arrived. Mrs. Ferris had made
her escape and closed thefolding-doors.
Il was thinking Of YOU" said Rob-
ertine sweetly. and speaking the truth.
"Of mep Is that soI Then I'm glad"
lie pressed her hand with all a lovers
fondness.
Nor was he really so objectionable-a
well-built man with a prepossessing
countenance and a frank, easy speech.
He never romanced, nor paused for
exactness, nor unfolded quaint dis
coyeries, INDUCED in ben trordt0
poesy, as poor Dick Ethel was wont.
He was a cheerful caller and often
made her laugh: still there were times
when she could as well have yawned.
Poor Dick Ethel might have talked all
night and never wearied her,
Take the rocking-chair, "she begged,
'and [ will sit right here on the sofa.
We can both see the street and feel the
breeze"
Thanks" said Mr.. Wales, twinkling
his great third-iinger diamond by care
less motions of the hand.
II say, what do you think? am 60
ing to change hotels
"Indeed? Why / thought you liked
your place so much?'
II did, until this morning. Never
was more surprised in my life. What
do you suppose | found in my coffee?'
"A fly" the young lady suggested.
Not exactly"
"Then a roach?'
"Oh, no: dear me. not so bad. But it
was a shred of something resembling
cotton
"O!" said Robertine in a relieved
tone, "a piece of the dish-cloth. And
you will change because of thatI'
II have serious thoughts. And now,
She turned to the window and gazed
ntently.
what are you looking atp" he asked.
'That literary friend of yours coming
out across? Clever fellow, isn't he.
Wish | could write. But, do you know,
Robertine, | fancy-though l may be
Mistaken fancy the poor fellow hasn't
got a good tailor"
Robertine answered very deliberate
ly: II think it more probable that he
hasn't any at ALL"
What! you don't mean he is dis
tressedg That would be rough! A fell
low that a reel off such things. I'D
like TO help him out some way or other.
Do you think he'd be offended If / ask
ed him to accept a present?'
Il know he would be offended" she
answered decisively.
Wales heaved a sigh, but she knew
he didn't feel greatly disappointed. He
was excellently disposed as far as offer
ing TO be liberal went. 20. | suppose
So" he ~assented; these fellows are
proud as the dickens"
but about your hotel?"
"Well, | have nearly decided TO make
q change. A hotel is very comfortable,
but a man gets to thinking he'd like
, home of his own" lie left the rock
ing-chair for the sofa precisely as EtheI
had done so short a time before. Rob
ertine,n he said softly, and took posses
sion of her hand; "Robertine, you know
what | mean, don't your
Il do not know what you mean" she
answered in a low, firm tone.
Don't you, darling; don't you know
/ love you and want you for a wife,
Yes, l want n wife and a home!"
She had caught every word; it hat
not escaped her that he wanted q wife
as an adjunct to--a home. And she re-
| SlSttu IN lOASSl. Oub lloNto ia "
draw her face nearer and nearer, unit
il touched his lips.
1t was really arranged. thought Mrs.
Ferris, signing ~contentedly i'll the Other
room, where she had not missed a word
After all Robertine was a sensible girl
and she thought she would go in anC
light the gas and receive the news.
"Here are some matches, daughter
she said innocently. 1T will soon bt
dark
Wales arose bowling, and managed
after a fashion TO the engage
ment.
Mrs. Ferris stood a moment as il
astonished, then approached, smiling
benevolently. Her little speech had
been well rehearsed. Il am not wholly
surprised" she said. "Robertine is Sc
frank that she has poorly concealed
from me her growing affection for you
/ am overjoyed that she has found one
SO worthy OF her-and-and I congratu
late you BOTH Saying which she with
drew with unusual dignity.
Mr.. Wales remained an hour or so
then he told his betrothed she looked
tired and he would not keep her up. HI
lifted her hand and pressed it to hi
IL - 1850. L-.1