Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1890-02-08
A Winter MIGHT;
OR.
Found in a Snow Drift.

babe old Agnes watch her, and then ques-
toned the maid as TO the sad nights work.
Old Agnes cried bitterly when she saw
the shreds Of lace and silk, which she at
once recognised as belonging to Alison.
DIR. Steel was a man Of quick common
sense and prompt action, so he drove
straight into Cardiff, put the police on the
track Of the Lees, and wired to Mr.. Penfold.
who came by express in an agony Of
anxiety.
Old Agnes had a stormy scene with him,
and when he looked in for n second ut Dor.
othy. and saw her deathlike face, he turned
faint with horror.
He had left her bright, blooming, happy,
and returned TO find her Oh what might
prove her death-bed.
lie got together all the evidence he could,
and rode off to see DIR. Steel.
They were closeted together r long time,
and when Mr. PeDfold came out, his face
was white and his eyes haggard, for he had
heard that the circus people had left Cardiff
In the middle Of the night, and that Alison
aud the child were not with them.
Someone answering to her description had
started by the midnight mail to London.
TRY to console yourself 18th the thought
that the child will be kindly treated, Mr..
Prnfold. You are sure TO recover her in
time. Hire good detectives, and advertise,
Offering a heavy reward. Ny opinion is the
lady will soon tire of her charge. You can
withhold her income tilt the child is re-
turned, and have the mother arrested fol-
kidnapping and the assault On Miss Snow"
Yes, / know all that. But look at the
disgrace and exposure. Oh, decor, 1 have
had to pay dearly for a boylsh indiscretion! y
'Indeed you have. / pity you from my
soul, and will help you all / can"
II know that, doctor. j rely on yonr
friendship to keep all have tod you secret.
What would you do about Dorothy
marry her directly she Is we'll enough TO
travel, and chance the consequences. j hope
your second venture will be a happy one"
"Oh, l am sure Of that. IL is only the
money / object TO. i hate 20 be called a
fortane-hunter. Besides, when the poor girl
hears of my story, she may be afraid to
marry me after such q scene With that terri
bic woman."
If she loves you, she will only think OF
your happiness. Perfect love casteth out
fear | shall see you again. Wire at once
to Scotland Yard; such al wo-
man as Alison Lee must soon be traced. Ii
Is reported that the circus folks talked OF
taking a Continental tour. Another report
is that they go straight to America.
TRY to hope for the best; things must
come right In time. Goodbye, old man. See
that they keep our patient quiet"
Mr.. Penfold shut himself up In his study
alone. He neither ate nor drank. Old
Agnes could hear him pacing the room
heavily, and once she heard him groan.
She wrung her old hands wretchedly, and
wiping her bleared eyes went up to sit by
Dorothy, who was tossing peeyishly from
| side TO side with flushed cheeks and dim
eyes.
Presently she heard her masters foot
steps, and he entered white and weary.
Bidding her leave him, he knelt down by
the bedside and pressed his lips upon the
flushed cheek Of his dear girl-loye. She sat
up with a shrek, saying wildly:
go away, you vile monster. Am | not
safe from you in my " bedroom? Oh,
that my mother could rise from her grave TO
| reproach you for your broken faith, your
cruelty 70 her only child. | hate you!-oh,
| hate you! | would rather die than marry
such a brute. Go away, or shall kill you
/ will raise the house: 1 will appeal 10 the
law; you shall not frighten me! Coward,
coward, coward!'
The last word rose to u shrek just as DR.
Steel entered. He beckoned NJ. Penfold
away. Poor fellow! he was terribly upse,
by the scene; he knew Dorothy was con
founding him with her cruel guardian, and
yr!eyed at the torment. Her words told hov
much she must have suifered-poor limo
cent girl!-era she was driven from home
by that mans monstrous misdeeds.
you heard what she said, doctor? ]
would not give her up TO that vile wretch
for the world. l would rather see her dead,
He shall answer for his evil deeds"
"He must be q very bad man. IL lie find:
out that his ward is here, refer him TO me;
as her medical attendant i forbid her to BE-
moved"
II should like TO horsewhip him II
cowardly hound to torture a helpless CIR
whom he had promised to defend. ! should
never have Imagined him such a cur. lie
Is highly esteemed for his charity. He must
be a vile hypocrlte."
"Of course he Is. / know that. l hate
your sleek, urbane men. When l heard him
address the working.men az the last clec
ton, / hated his unc,ious, sclf-righteou;
manner. He Is 8 rabid agitator, and the
1 LORI KNOWS Nudt btssNCSs "a 40 ~
enough with his wards money.
at will be a red-letter day with me wher
I see him overthrown. Ny opinion Is, ht
made love to the mother. and when h
could not win her he turned his attention Il
the daughter.
"Do you know he ran after Alison Lee
when she performed in London? He know.
her we'll"
Curse him! The score increases. I'll b,
even with him yet"
.Tll back you up, old man. We ought Il
be equal to such a small rogue-we two.
should enjoy Furnishing him."
$50 should 1, doctor. You will come offer
when / am away, won't you, and II Their,
should be a change, wire at once."
my dear boy, I'll take as much care o
her as IL she were my daughter. The VIII,
shall come and stay till she Is better. SA,
Is a kindhearted, clever little soul, anC
when she Is sensible II will comfort tue cir
IN fud q friend OF her own sex near her"
Indeed IL would, and l should feal hap
pier about her while am away"
.Fhen do you go?'
"At once. dare not lose moment"
',Shall 1 drive you to the ~statione?'
"Well, 1t might save time IL you1would
I'll Just run in and give a few directions"
Mr.. Penf0ld did as he said, and the TIVE
friends drove 10 the station.
UnArTER VII.
Three weeks passed, and Dorothy, whit
and wan, was well enough to sit mp In bes
and speak to people.
She fretted a good deal about little Ally
for there was still no trace OF the child.
A long loving letter from Mr.. Penfol'
came to say he might be expected homs a
any moment.
.Do you think I can get up, Mrs. Steel?
should like to be able 10 see Mr.. Penfols
when he comes home"
'If you feel strong enough, dear, l don
see why you should not. We must ask tn
Doctors leave first. HarS, l hear hts foot
step on the stairs"
Mrs. Steel, who was a comedy little wo
man, with soft brown eyes and hair, OF
cheerful, bright disposition, rose n opsne.
tho door to admit her husband, who tool
her rosy fac, between his hands and kiss.ss
Il affectionately. Then, with q nod and
mile, he went to warm his hands before w
blazing fire before shaking hands with nj
/ patient. -
! Rubbing his hands together, he sat low
beside the bed, saying:
! .weli, you are looking quite bonnie nov