Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1890-05-17
qHB RED FLAG.
NJ. +. BRADDoN.
Author OF lady Andley's Secret"
etc. etc. etc.

ttSt ttts ttC.
The evening at the Ambip Vas enshaDt!
ment; but both girls refused the luxury OF
ices at Tortonfs. How were lovers 10 be
thrifty II their betrothed were ready 10 ac-
opt costly attentions? Besides, as thew
passed the famous confectioner's, Rose
caught sight OF q couple Of CARRIAGES settipp
howh sotte ladies and their cavaliers at q
side door, and those painted faces and rust
ling silks belonged 10 a world from which
Rose OHara recoiled as from a pestilence.
80 they all walked home In the August
moonlight, talking OF the play, and were
safe In the Rae Git lie Ceur before mid.
night
Rose did not forget that look tf Madame
Michel's. Her intense affection for Kath:
leen made her suspicious of Kathleen's
lover. Such a look as that in a young wo-
mans face could but have one meaning, II
meant jealousy; and there could hardly be
Jealousy without catisc. The ldoT Suggested
q history and Rose set hetself 70 lind oft
that history. She consulted Madame Schu-
bert, the one friend whom she could trust
in so delicate a matter, and the good schu.
bert was not long In eflightening her. One
noes not live IN such a place as the Rue Glt
lie Coeur Tor fve-ahd-twenty years without
knowing a good deal about ones n~eighbors.
"Yes, my dear, there Is no doubt this dear
Mortemar had once a tenderness for the
Michel. He used to breakfast Of her shop
every morning-a leisurely breakfast, during
which thoce two talked-shi great Heaven,
how they tslkedl one could Hardly get
properly served while he was there. And
be danced with her In the winter at the
Butler balls, and he used to take her TO the
theatre. Friends OF mine saw them there,
as happy as turtle-doves. But what Of thatP
A mar must sow bis wild oats; and Gas
ton Is not The less fond Of your slstet be-
cause he has played fast and loose with tho
Michel
My sister shall not marry a man who has
played fast and loose with any woman"
said Rose,
That Is rank nonsense" answered Ma
man Schubert. MARK my words, Roses II
you try to part those two, you will break
Kathleen's heart" .
Better her heart should be broken than
by a bad husband" said Rose,
HE will not make a bid husband. Do
you think a man Is any the worse for a flirta-
tion or two in his bachelor days? That Is
the way he learns the meaning of real love. y
Rose was not easily appeased: She saw
CASTOR next day, and taxed him with his
d~ishonOrable conduct TO the widow. He
was indignant NJ the charge, and declared
that there had never been anything serious
between them. She had been attentive to
him as a customer ct her cremsrtei he had
hnnV, ,fpfl 20 la, ehal s-na oil 1nn visits
10 the theatre meant no more than c!y.lity.
There was something more than ciyility
on her part, and | think you must have
known It," answered Rose, Intensely In
earnest. 'If you knew It an fooled her,
you are not a good true man; and !og shall
hot marry my sister,
CASTOR protested against this absurd de-
cree; but finally admitted that ne had been
10 blame. Yes, perhaps he had known that
Madame Michel was Just a little taken With
him, inclined 10 like his society, and 20 be
Jealous and angry when he deserted her
shop. The shop q convenient; the wo-
man was ~handsonGo and smtsihg. Why
should not a man who was heart whole, WHO
had not one real wOmS:-friead IN the word,
talk aid laugh with a pretty sLopkeeper?
II could do no harm.
1T has done harm. l saw as much in
Madame Michel's face the other evening
And then she tod CASTOR the story Of that
encounter on the quay.
'Mademolselle Rose, you exaggerate the
situation. The Michel has a spice OF the
devil In her, and can give black looks on
very slight provocation. For the rest, she
and l have seen the last Of each other. !
have never crossed the threshold since l
was betrothed to Kathleen; l never shall
cross II again."
Promise me that" said Rose.
II promise, from my heart
This happened in the year go; and now It
was midsummer In the fateful year 20, and
France was treading daily, step by step,
nearer the edge Of the abyss.