Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1891-11-28
THE WAITING JULIET.

Tho house in question was what
Peter the Scholar (who corrects my
proof.sheets) calls one of the rusinurb
sort--the front facing n street and the
back looking over "A turfed garden.
with n lime-tree or two. laburnum.
and n lawn-tennis court marked out,
its white lines plain to see in the star
light. At the end of the garden a
door, painted dark green, led into a
narrow lane between high walls, where.
II two persons met one had to turn
sideways to let the other pass. The
entrance to this lane was cut in two by
wooden post about the height Of your
hip. aud just beyond this. in the high
road. George was waiting for us with
the dog-cart.
We bad picked the usual lime-the
dinner hour. Ii had just turned dark
and the church-clock. two streets
away. was Ginning the quarter after
eight. when Peter and let ourselves
in by the green door | spoke OF. and
felt along the wall for the gardeners
ladder that we knew was there. A
simpler job there never was. The
stood right open 10 the night air; aud
inside was faiut candlc-light flicker
ing Just as careless maid will leave
them after her mistress has gone down
to dinner. To be sure, there was
chance Of her coming back TO put
them out; but we could hear her voice
going in the servants ball as we lifted
the ladder and rested it against the
ell.
"She's good for half-a-hour yet."
Peter whispered. holding the ladder
while began TO climb; but if hear
her voice stop I'll give the signal to
be cautious
went up softly. pushed my head
gently above the level Of the sill and
lioked in.
1t was roomy place. with a great
half-tcster bed. hung with curtains.
standing out from the wall on my
right. The curtains were of chintz.
dark background. with flaming red
popp.9s sprawling over II; and the
further certain hid the dressng-table.
and the candles upon il and the jewel
case that ! confidently hoped To stand
upon it also. A bright Brussels car
pet covered the iloor. and the wall
paper / emembcr-though for the
life of me. | can not tell why--was n
pale grey ground. worked up TO imi-
tate watered silk. with sprigs OF gilt
honeysuckle upon it.
looked around and listened for half
minute. The house was still as
death up here-not sound in the
room or in the passages beyond. With
nod to Peter TO hold the ladder firm,
lifted one leg over the sill. then the
other dropped my feet carefully upon
the thick carpet. and went quickly
round the bed TO the drcssing-table.
But at the corner and as soon rs
ever saw round the chiniz curtain,
my knees gave way. and | put out
hand toward the bed-post.
Before the dressing-table. and in
front of the big glass in which she
could see my white face. was an old
lady seated.
She wore blaze of jewels and a
low gown, out of which rose the scrag-
giest neck and shoulders / have ever
looked on. Her hair was thick with
black dye aud fastened with diamond
star. Between the two candles the
powder showed on her cheek bones
like flour on miller's coat. Chin on
hand. she was gazing steadily into the
mirror before her, and. even in my
fright, had time TO note that a glass
of sherry and plate of rice and curry
stood at her elbow. among the rouge
pots aud powdcr-puifs.
While | stool stock-still and pretty
well scared out OF my wits, she rose.
still staring at my image in the glass.
folded her hands modestly over her
bosom. and spoke iu deep. tragical
voice:
".rhe prince!'
Then. facing sharply round, she
held out her thin arms.
You have come-at lastp"
There was not much to say to this
except that had. So l confessed it.
Even with the candles behind her |
could see her eyes glowing like dogs.
and an uglier poor creature this world
could scarcely show.
rs the ladder set against the win
dow?n
"Since you seem to know. ma'am."
said l. lit is."
"Ah, Romeo! Your cheeks are
ruddy-your poppies are too red."
"Then I'm glad my color's come
back; for. to tell the truth. you did
give me turn just at first. You were
looking out for me. no doubt"
MY prince!' She stretched out
her arms again. and, being pretty well
at my wits end let her embrace me.
1T has been so long" she said; oh
the weary while! Aud they ill-ireat
me. Where have you been all this
tedious timepn
was not going 10 answer Mat. you
may be sure. BY this | had recovered
myself sufficiently TO guess what was
near the truth that this was mad
aunt Of the family below. and that the
gamc was IN my hands II played
with decent care. So | met her ques-
tion with another
Look here" said. I'm running a
considerable risk In braving these per-
sccutors Of your'n. Hadn't we better
elope at once?'
II am ready"
"And the jewelsp. You won't leave
them TO your enemies. suppose"
~ t,asped~tQ Tho drcssing-table.