Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1890-07-19
THE REID FLAG.
M. f. BRADDON.
Author OF "Lady AudIcy's Secret"
etc. etc. etc.

< ShASt - oONAVt
etc. etc. etc.
This was her manner of life, as seen by
her sister and her sisters husband. They
puzzled themselves exceedingly as to the
nature OF that employment which Obliged
her to keep such curious hours. They talk
ed, and wondered, and specialized; but they
did not en,ure to question her. She had
entreatcd Rose TO forbear; and Rose, who so
fondly loved her, was content TO remain in
ignorance, seeing that the mourner seemed
more tranquil, more resigned than before
she began this unknown labor.
Yet they could not refrain from spccula-
tons and wonderings between themselves,
the husband and wife, for whom life was
free from all care save this one anxiety
about the widowed girl.
Was her occupation that of a governess?
Had she found two sets Of papiis In some
humble circle, where superior accomplish
ments were not demanded In n teacher?
Did she go to one family In the morning, TO
another In the evening? This seemed a
natural and likely explanation. Bnt II 1t
were so, why had she made a mystery of so
simple a matter?
They could only wait and watch. They
were too high-minded TO follow or TO play
the spy upon her. But they watched her
face, her bearing, when she was with them
which was but rarely now-and they
waited for the revelation Of her secret.
She would not make her home with them.
That was Rose Durand's worst grief. II she
could have had that beloved mourner beside
her hearth every day; il she could have seen
her bending over the little ones cradle, be-
1rttftad h- thu ctyaa4pa-s IF kfa IaxxNfNv Ia
telligence; II she had but been allowed TO
soothe and console her sister, Rose would
have been quite happy. She would have
trusted to her own loving arts, and TO the
great healer Time, and she would have
looked forward 10 q day when Kathleen's
wounds would be healed,
But Kathleen Rugged her loneliness a. IL
It were the one precious thing left TO her.
She would not be tempted from her solitude
In the two quiet rooms upstairs. Il am
tired when j come home from my work.
she said one day, when Rose upbraided her
with unkindness In refusing to spend her
leisure hours in the Durand mcndge 1T
would be no rest 10 me TO be with you ana
baby, dear as he Is. ! want TO be quite alone
with my dreams OF the past"
i'They are not good for you, Kathleen,
those dreams of the past"
20 yes, they are. They are my greatest
comfort. Sometimes, sitting here in the
afternoon sunlight, with a volume Of Hugo
or Mussst in my lap, l almost believe that
CASTOR Is sitting In that chair where you are
now, by my side. j dare not lift my eyes TO
look up at him.
why not?'
Because I should know then he was not
there, and the spell would be broken. You
don't know how real day-lreams are TO me-"
Too real, Kathleen; such dreams as these
lead to madness"
"Let me be mad, then. / would rather be
mad and see him there, than sane and not
see him. ] would welcome madness to-mor-
row II l could believe that he Vas stu alive
If there need be no ucid interval' in which
] should remember that he was dead"
Kathleen. you frlghten me 10 deathV'
Forgive me, dearest" the girl answered
gently. There Is no cause for fear. You
do not know how steady my brain has been,
how regularly my heart has beaten, ever
since | have Observation-Disclosures to
do-a purpose In life. Before, l felt as if 1
were wandering In . desert, under a mid
night sky. Comets were blazing In that sky
-sho6ting-stars darling their light, now
this way, now that; but there was no star
10 guide my steps-there was no road across
the waste. Now / feel rs If | we've travel
ing on q straight level road. with my guild
ingstar shining steadily before me; there is
such n difference"
"You look so white this afternoon, dar-
linz. Have YOU worked harder than usual
to-day?r
"Yes, II was harder t~o-day-very, very
farv' Kathleen answered, with an absent
air.
You had further TO go TO FOUR employ
ment?' faltered Rose, looking at her WON
detingly. is 1t not always in the same
plaee?'
Not always"
THAT is very strange"
life is strange" answered Kathleen.
almost as strange as death. o Rose, my
best Of sisters, don't look so troubled about
me. Believe me that all is going well with
Inc. am doing no harm. | am doing my
duty. And all will come right in the end"
This was spoken with a fervor which in
some measure treasured Madame DuraBd.
She had never suspected evil Of her sister.
She knew that pure nature too well for
doubt TO be possible upon this score. Her
chief fear, her eyer-presept dread, was for
the soundness of the girls reason, for the
capacity Of her mind to stand against the
strain Of a great sorrow,
Kathleen would not go to her sisters
rooms, but Rose went to the widows lone
ly home two or three times In every day;
she would not be put off by Kathleen's de-
sire for solitude. She went to her the last
thing every night, and knelt and prayed
with her: but Kathleep's lips were dumb
that spirit which had once been feryeRt In
prayer was nov yoiceless. The widow kneit
beside her sister with bowed head, but there
were some OF Roses prayers TO which she
would not even say Amen.
why do You not join In the ~Paternoster,
Kathleen Rose asked tenderly.
Because / cannot join with all my heart.
Forgive us our debts as we forgive our
debtors. Ill said that with my lips my
heart would be the heart Of a liar. There
are some. debts that cannot be forgiven,
sorne wrongs that must be avenged"
vengeance belongs to God" answered
Rose quietly. "And with Him 1t is not
vengeance, but justice"
That Is all | want,v said Kathleen.
Justice, justice, justice!'
And then she lifted up her face, which
had been bowed upon her clasped hands I'M
I'll now, ard prayed aloud:
20 God, Thou art my help and delivereri
o Lord, make no ~tarrying! The wicked
walk on every side when the vilest men are
exalted. As the fire burneth the wood. and
as the flame setteth the mountains on fire,
so prosecute them with Thy tempest, and
make them afraid with Thy Storm"
CHAPTER XII.
FOUND.
The days and weeks wore slowly on; July
ca,oa and nasSad md n was mid.