Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1890-09-20
sanity | nrom,sad INV .,a se.d,,v


"And now / said; me dear boy, I won't
hear another *bttl tonight! Nothing can be
done until tomorrow; then we will consult
as TO what steps should be taken. Drink this
and go 10 bcd-yes, you are as sane as | am,
but, remember, insomnia soon drives tho
strongest man cut Of his senses"
1 poured ont an opiate. He drank it obedi-
emily. Before l left him for the night | saw
him ir bed and sleeping a heavy sleep.
vi,
The advantage TO one who writes, not a
tale 81 Imagination, but a simple record Of
events, Is this; He need not be bound by the
recognized canons of the storytelling art
peed not exercise his ingenuity to mislead
his readet-Tneed not suppress seme things
and lay undue stress on others to create mys-
ferries to be cleared up at the end of the tale.
Therefore, using the privilege of a plain mar
nator, l shall here give some account of what
became OF Miss Rowan, as, so far as | can re-
member, ! heard 1t some time afterward from
her own lips,
The old Scotchwoman's funeral over, and
those friends who had been present departed,
Madeline was left in the little farmhouse
alone, save for the presence of the two ser
wants. Several kind bodies had offered TO
come and STAY with her, but she had declined
the offers. She was in no mood for company,
and perhaps being OF such a different race
and breed would not have found much COM
fort In the rough homely sympathy which
was offered TO her. She preferred being alone
with her, grief-grief which after all was
bound to be much lightened by the thought
OF her W approaching happiness, for the
day was drawing near when her lover would
cross the Border and bear his bonny bride
away.-She felt sure that she would not be
long alone-that the moment Carriston heard
of her aunt's death he would come to her as
sistance. In such a peaceful, God-fearing
neighborhOod she had no fear of being left
without protection. Moreover, her position
In the house was well defined. The old wo-
man, who was childless, had left her niece
all of which she died possessed. So Madeline
decided to walt quietly until she heard from
her lover.
Still there were business matters TO be at
tended 10, and at the funeral Mr.. Douglas, of
Calendar, the executor under the will, had
suggested that an early interview would be
desirable. He offered 10 drive out 10 the little
farm the next day, but Miss Rowan, who had
TO see to some feminine necessaries which
could only be supplied by shops, decided that
she would come to the town instead of troub-
ling Mr.. Douglas TO drive So far out.
Madeline, in spite of the superstitious ele-
ment in her character, was a brave girl, and
In spite of her refined style of beauty, strong
and healthy. Early hours were the rule in
that humble home, so before seven o'clock in
the morning she was ready to start on her
drive TO the little town. At first she u ought
of taking with her the boy who did the rough
outdoor work; but he was busy about some
thing or other, and besides, was a garrulous
lad who would be certain TO chatter the whole
way, and this morning Miss Rowan wanted
no companions, save her own mingled
thoughts OF sadness and Joy. She knew every
inch OF the roadside feared no evil-she
would be home again long before nightfall-
the pony was quiet and sure-footed-so away
went Madeline in the strong primitive vehicle
on her lonely twelve miles drive through the
fair scenery.
She passed few people on the road. In.
deed, she remembered meeting no one except
one or two pedestrian tourists, who like sensi.
bic men were doing a portion of their days
task in the early morning. / have no doubt
but Miss Rowan seemed 10 them a passing
vision OF ~loveliness.
But when she was a mile or two from Cal
lendar she saw a boy on a pony. The boy,
who must have known her by sight, stopped,
and handed her a telegram. She had 10 pay
several shiiiings for the delivery, of the mes
sage, so far from the station. The boy gal
loped away, congratulating himself on hay-
ing been spared a long ride, and Miss Rowan
tore open the envelope left in her hands.
Cro be continued.)