Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1890-02-15
CHAPTER XI.

the room smell like a f~lower-garden.
The scene had upset her, and following II
came Pierce's entreaty for an early marrl-
age.
He had told her his history in q few words.
While at oxford he fell in love with a
girl who was nc q small boardlng-school,
and. ls4. away by boyish ardor, married her,
dhIerardIng the fact that she was but a
beautiful gypsy, whom her ambitious parents
wished 10 make q fine lady.
She behaved pretty well the first year,
then q boy was born, whom she simply wor.
SHIPPED. lie died in childish illness, and
instead of being chastened by grief, she
seemed 10 be made desperate.
She sought excitement far and near, visit
ed her W people, and, TO Pierce's annoy.
ance, spent most of her time with them
when they brought their circus to Cardiff.
One member OF the company was a hand
some athlete, a man Of splendid physique
and the brain Of a brute.
Alison was cautioned against encouraging
his attentions, but she disregarded all ad.
vice, and her foolish parents INDUCED her
in this as in every other within.
1t ended in her husband hearing of the
filtration, and f~orbidding her TO hold any
intercourse with her father or any member
of his company.
After this, Pierce met his wife and her
lover in the Sophia Gardens, and horsewhip-
ped the handsome athlete and ordered his
wife home, where there wa an awful scene,
which was followed by many days of es-
arrangement and misery.
When the circus went away, Mrs. Penfold
was missing.
She had east aside her letters, and flown
away free TO the rowing life she loved.
She left her baby behind without regret.
Her father, a ferce-tempered old fellow,
faneied his girl had been badly used by her
husband, SO he protected her from the
wronged mans just anger, and excused her
sin.
He would have pardoned anything forthe
pleasure Of keeping his hansome girl with
him.
This, of course, is a bare outline of much
domestic misery that Dorothy understood
and sympathised with in all the tenderness
of her heart.
Then came the history of divorce.
You remember my coming home on New
Year'sSfEve, dearest, full Of happy relief
Well, that day saw the last Of all trouble
connected with that dark page in my his
tory. / was free.
II had settled with my lawyers about the
allowance ii was my wish 10 make her, so
that she should have no excuse for sin. /
wanted to wash my hands of all connected
with her, and begin afresh with the new
year, new aims, new hopes.
Now, knowing oil, can you love me and
be happy as my wife?"
IL can love you all my life, dearest, but
do you think it can be right to marry a man
whose wife Is still alive? That Is not living
together in holy wedlock as long as both
shall live. Can anyone, in sight Of God, be
justified In taking another woman till his
wife Is dead?'
''Why certainly, II she takes another
man. Pray, my pet do not let any foolish
scruple of fancied honor come between US.
Is your little head more sure In judgment
than the laws of our land? Justice has pro-
nounced me free TO wed afresh, and / am
sure God did not intend q woman's sin
should keep a man lonely all his life. Man
was not made to live alone. Think how
empty my life Is, sweetheart and make 1t
replete with JOY. Say you will be my wife
soon, as you promised. Think OF little Ally,
and your wish TO help me find her. Surely
i am not to wander away alone. j should
be so miserable. Speak to Mrs. Steel, she Is
a good, pure woman; she will tell you her
opinion, and l am sure she will be on my
side"
Dorothy promised to do so, and heard
quite a motherly homily from the sensible
little soul, who, as Pierce had surmised,
was all on his side.
"What a misery 1t is to have to sneak
away like thieves In the night" said Pierce,
as he settled Dorothy in a frst-class car
riage.
She was heavily yelled, and seemed very
feeble.
Jane rode apart, feeling very jolly; the
idea of so much change was pleasant to her,
and she liked Dorothy immensely.
Il suppose | was foolish to travel with
you, darling, but l could not bear the idea
of you enduring the long journey alone. /
fear it will tire you terribly. Are you sure
you are well wrapped up? l have tipped the
guard to keep all outsiders away. Is your
s""t-warmer comfortableT"
Yes, l am quite too cosy; | shall go to
sleep, l believe
80 you shall, sweet, IL you will rest your
dear head on my shoulder, so that can kiss
you when l like. l hate that horrld veil, /
can't get at your lips"
Dorothy laughed, and lifted it so that he
could kiss her sweet red lips. Then she
said:
When do we start, Pierce?'
almost directly. Keep your head turned,
/ will lean out of the window, and see there
Is nc one about"
steamed out of the station without any
unusual delay.
The journey passed pleasantly enough to
the lovers.
At Gloucester Pierc, said he would get
out a second to get a as.ak, and asked Dor
othy II she would have anything.
mo, dear, thank you, Mrs. Steel filed my
flask with wine; but you get yourself q
bottle Of Bass, l know there Is nothing you
like so well. and don't forget you want
some matches, or you will be done out Of
your SMOKE"
"All right, pet; keep your seat, I'll shut
the door. i hope no one will get In"
Pierce swung ont of tho carriage, and ran
across the platform to the rsfrcshment-bar.
Directly he had gone, . gentleman opened
the door and got In, sat down In . corner,
tilted his hat over his eyes. and remained
as still as a mute.
He was ON the same side as Dorothy, who
did not take much notice Of him, SO anxious
was she for PIerce's return.
Take your seatsw shouted the guard,
ssnsing the doors to noisily, and Dorothy's
heart sank.
She saw Pierce como out OF the bar and
hesitate. The rush confused him.
Dorothy was about TO get up to wave her
hand to attract his attention, when tho gen.
tleman stood up, and filed tho window with
his big bulk.
'Oh, please let me look out. my friend
has missed the carriage"
Still the man did not stir.
Dorothy got desperate, and putting her
hand on his arm. said excitedlys