Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1890-02-08
ncr ire herself

sue mas eaten u BOOu ufuiief, ocSole, anu
had q sleep"
IAN right, dear, I will see that she obeys
orders. Goodbye, dear"
When they we're alone again Mrs. Steel
said, as she poked the fire into a blaze:
shall | read to you, dear; have all the
ANNALS aud monthly magazines here?'
Dorothy readily agreed and listened tothe
little woman's pleasant yo.ca contentedly
for q long time. then the heavy lids dropped
over the tired eyes, and Dorothy slept
sereneIy with her lovers letter In her
hands, and a bunch of early violets by her
side.
And Mrs. Steel, who, w~omanlike, loved
the idea of a wedding, was mentally arrang-
ing everything In a most satisfactory way
as she sorted her silks and toasted her toes
BY the fire.
After a time Dorothy woke up, ate her
dinner and then said eagerly:
Il can get mp now, can't l, Mrs. Steel%
ayes. dear: | will help You dress, and you
must sit in an easy-chair, aud keep quiet.
Perhaps Mr.. PenfoId will return to-day
Il think he will. Do you know. | dreamt
1 saw him riding along the high road on
Blanche, and heard the ring of her hoofs or
the frost-bound earth. Somehow the sound
seemed sweetest music 10 me-"
~ can scarcely hear, she murmured,
For my heart beats loud and fast;
But surely in the far, far distance
can hear a sound at last,
| sang Mrs. S.eel, as she shook out the pretty
white robe, and placed it ready for Dorothy's
use: and the shining hair Vas brushed, and
the pretty girlish figure was adorned In the
picturesque dressing-gown.
1T is q pleasure only TO look at you, dear,
you are SO NICE" said go0d-natureG Mrs.
Steel, as she fastened the last satin knot
under Dorothy's pretty dimpled chin.
Il never thought 10 be we'll again, a week
| ago death seemed so near; yes, though
have so much 10 live for-loye, lie, and
| earthly blessings-I was not afraid"
"IIarki What IL that? Someone has come
in; go and see who ii Is, there's q dear little
woman!'
Mr.. steel left her patient to 60 down
| stl.rs. Jane took her buster away, and
| Dorothy was left alone 20 listen and long
for tho sound OF q voice that was the best
music In the world 10 her.
Presently she heard the sound OF eager
footsteps, and Pierce-a haggard and alter
ed Pierc,-entered with 0a:stretched arms.
Dorothy saw only the Ioye-light In his
eyes, the smile Of welcome on his lips, as
he knelt down and put his arms about her,
saying:
'0h, my beautiful love, how I have long
ed for you! Darling, arc you better? You
are white rs the snowdroT S under your chin,
and yonr lips look too pale TO give me a ca
ress. will kiss them red again.
Put your arms about my neck, dear; you
need comfort ma, for my heart is torn with
anxiety, for, Dora darling. l cannot find lit
tie Ally"
".Ah. but you will. darling! l shall soon
be strong and well again, and we will go
| cut in the word 10 look for her together
my woman's wit shall help you, and we viii
wander the wild world over till we find ouy
little treasure. Take comfort, dear hearI,
she will be well cared for and kindly treat.
ell, for she Is so sweet and loyeable no one
could harm her."
"Do you know who stole her, darling?'
NO; who was It? She was very wicked,
The woman who tore her from me that hor'
rible night. On, Pierce, why did she do yor
such 4 cruel vrong-vhat spite had shit
against youP'
When you are we'll enough 10 hear my
history, dear, you will understand and pit!
me. Now you must think Of nothing blu
g~cttirg we'll.
no one mas discovered you, dear, that 4
good tidiDgs. You coull not bear worr,
now, my poor pale snowdror."
The dusk came upon them as they sat il
the bright firclgit chatting happily.
Pierce held Dorothy's hand, aud he look
cd into her face, listening to her voice in
iull Of spirits very pleasant after the rush
ing life he had led of late.
Tae next day was dull and stormy, anC
after luncheon Dorothy was taken very ten
derry into the cosy sitting-room that lee
from the hall.
Mrs. Steel had gone home to see he
youngsters, so the lovers were alone, and
lover-like, said many sweet things to eacl
other.
Pierce put Off the unhappy recital Of hi
history.
a Twill wait till she has had time TO res
and recover herself" he thought as he look
ed down lovingly upon the little recumben
figure on the pretty crimson satin couch.
The starry eyes looked mp fondly ut him
the little hands clasped over bis arm werl
white as the snow-fakes that fell noiseless
iy outside.
All inside was warm and cosy, and out
side was chill and dull.
Pierce, after propping Dorothy mp will
pillows, bent over her and kissed her fai
face, saying:
How nice IL Is to be alone together, Dora
darliRgl | am afraid lovers are very selfish
they want 10 shut all the world out from
even the sight of their happiness. You fee
stronger to-day, don't you? can see Just
faint fosebloom on your cheek like the frs
flush Of dawn in the sky. Confound II, wht
Is thatg'
This last remark was called forth by
loud impatient knocking at the hall door.
From the s~itting-room they could see
carriage covered with snow, two steamint
horses and a coachman in q fur cape.
Il will be back directly, dear. Try to ge
ADOBE"
Pierce paused on the threshold, the kee'
air flew past him from the open door, fan
ming Dorothy's cheek, and making the fire
flames leap and dance.
A %well-known voice made the blood cur
die in Dorothy's veins, a smooth Gear voic'
saying:
Il am Horace Middleton, Mr.. Penfo,d
and l have come to reclaim something which
you have Of mine"
OnipSS you WISH otthS tht NuoAS houcc
hold into your confidence, sir, kindly, lie
whatever you have 10 ask me wait until WI
are alone. Jane. show this gentleman int
my study, l VII join him dirSc.ly."
Pierce entered the sitting-room again. flew
to Doroihy's side, and said in q low passion
ate undertone:
Don't be frightened, my darling, al
will be well. Lie still, no N shall distur!
YOU"
.'Oh, Pierce, yon viii no. let that MAJ
take me away? / shall do IL you do"
mo ono shall take away my PROMISE
wife. Trust to ne. l would rather die thai
lose you"
In a second no was gone, and Dorothy
listening ncrvousiy. heard tho study doc
open and close.
She wished she could DO invisible for
wee while and hear what passed between
the man sio loved and the mai she hated
herself unheard, unseen.
She became so nervous at last that sh
rang tho bell, and requested Jane 10 SEN
someone for DIR. S.e:t at once. THANKING
she felt worse, Jane FASTENED away to com
ply with her request.
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