Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1891-03-14


might well make brave men tremble,
not 10 mention that he knew that he
had on more than one occasion hu-
namely fastened the end OF shipwreck-
cd sailors, whom he had found and pill
lsged on the shore. After these acts he
had been able to sleep the sleep Of vir-
tue without being haunted by dead
mems eyes. But now the case was diff.
fsrent. He had not to deal with vic
tim without friends, man whose body,
described as that OF "shipwrecked
Mariner could be buried and forgot
ten without more ado. In all probabili-
~ there would this time be a hue and
cry, &fd William Jones trembled lest
his share IN the ghastly business might
ultimately be discovered.
True, he was not actually the culprit,
and 30, even at the worst, he might
escape the gallows; but to man of his
sensitive and affectionate nature the
thought OF transportation was not pleas
ant. It was this that made him nerv.
pus-this that made him start and trem-
bic at every sound.
Presently q thought struck him.
where's MattY" he asked.
Don't know, William dear; she amt
been here for hours and hours. Maybe
she's on the shore"
Maybe she is-I'll go and have a
look" returned William.
IL must not be supposed for amoment
that William Jones had become afflicted
with sudden and tender interest IN
Matt-he merely wanted to get quit of
the cabin, that was all, and he saw
In this reasonable excuse for walking
out alone. He accordingly made his
escape, and went wandering off along
the shore.
1t was ten o'clock when he returned;
he was still pale, and drenched TO the
akin, TIE old man was DOING beside
Amt you seen her, William ,ie,1 .
Well, she amt here"
William Jones did look a little uneasy
this time, and it is but due TO him to
confess that his uneasiness was caused
by Mats prolonged absence. Erratic
as she was in her movements, she had
not been accustomed to staying out so
late, especially on night when the rain
was pouring, and not glimmer of star
or moon was to be seen.
wonder what she's doin' Off" said
William; suppose I'D best wait up for
her. Here old man, you go to bed, dye
hear--you amt wanted anyhow"
The old man accordingly went to bed,
and William sat up to await Matt's re-
turn. He sat beside the hearth, looked
into the smoldering fire, and listened to
the rain as 1t poured down steadily up
on the roof. Occasionally he got up
and went to the door; he could see moth
Ing, but he heard the patter of the fall.
ing rain, and the low, dreary moan Of
the troubled sea.
Hour after hour passed, and Matt did
not come. William Jones began to doze
by the fire--then he sank into heavy
sleep.
He awoke with q start, and found that
1t was broad daylight. The fire was out,
the rain had ceased to fall, and the
morning sun was creeping in at the win
dows. He looked around, and saw that
he was still alone. Hewent into Mats
room. 1t was empty. She had not re-
turned.
He was now filed with vague un-
easiness. He made up bit Of fire, and
was about to issue forth again in search
of the truant, when all further trouble
was saved him-the door opened, and
Matt herself appeared.
She seemed almost as much disturbed
as William Jones himself. Her face
was very pale, her hair wild, her dress
In great disorder. She started on see
ing him; then, assuming rather devil
may-care look, she lounged in.
you're up early, William JONES'
she said.
Yes, am up early he replied. gruff-
ly; 4'cause why2-'cause / amt been to
bed. And where have you beeng-jest
tell me that
@Why-Ive been out, of coursel" re-
turned the girl defiantly.
That won't do, Matt" returned Will
liam Jones. Come, you'll jest tell me
where you've been. You amt been out
all night for nothing"
The girl gave him look half of de-
fiance, half Of curiosity; then she threw
herself down, rather than sat, upon a
chair.
~I'm tired, am" she said; -and hun
cry and cold!"
win you tell me where you've been,
Matty" cried William Jones, trembling
with suspicious alarm.
-'Course / will, IL you keep quiet"
said the girl in answer. There amt
much to tell, neither. i were away
along to Pencroes when the heavy rain
came on; then ] lay down behind hay
stack and fell asleep, and when i woke
up II was daylight, and ! come home. >
William Jones looked at her stead
fastly and long; then, as II satisfied, he
turned away. About an hour later he
left the hut and walked along the shore,
straining his eyes seward But instead
Of looking steadfastly at one spot, as
was his custom, he paused now and
again to gaze uneasily about him. At
every sound he started and turned pale.
In truth, he was becoming . veritable
coward--afraid almost of the sound Of
A. -