Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1891-07-11
A BUNCH OF KEYS.


Whoever will bring the same TO willow cot
tage Marchlands, shall receive one pound re-
ward.
The above notice. printed in large
type, was exhibited in several OF the
, shops In the High street, in the little
.owu OF Forcham and as Nigel Green
" sauutered through the place one
afternoon. STOPPING here and there.
now to look at some fishing tackle.
,hen TO glance at Il view Of March,
iands' church displayed in the station
ers bow window. he caught sight of
the announcement concerning the
ounch OF keys. But he read it un-
heedingly; the lost Kcys aud the re-
ward offered were nothing to him.
Still. however, he had taken into his
mind the fact that some one had drop
ped bunch OF keys aud would bc
very glad to find them.
Marchlands is small, picturesque
village, with as beautiful an old church
rs one would desire to find anywhere.
and Nigel Greenly. who was staying
in the neighborhood. walked over
from his friends house expressly TO see
Marcliands' church. Thus 1t came TO
PASS that he had sauntered through
The quiet country town OF Foreman
aud had read tho advertisement which
neads this story.
As he left Foreham behind him and
rot into the footpath leading toward
the village for which he was making,
he fell into sad rcverie. rs hc gener-
all did now when he was alone and
the revcre ended. rs it ever did, with
deep-drawn sigh.
Hi, young sir! The horse ii be up
On you II so be you don't move out OF
The path"
Nigel started at this warning, aud
perceived bulky cart-horse, led by a
countryman, rounding the road which
no was taking. The horse logged on
while Nigel stood still, debating with
himself which way to 60, aud as he
looked up and down his eye lighted
on something which glistened on the
grassy path, and moment afterward
he picked up bunch of keys.
Tho KEYS about which that notice
which I read was posted up. How
provoking Now must take them to
the owner. which may impose walk
ON me and consume the time | meant
for exploring Willow cottage. wish
had not such knack OF remember
ing an address when once have heard
or seen 1t.
Thus thinking he twirled the keys
around cyeing them with consider
able disfavor, aud in so doing he
noticed that one of the many keys
hanging 10 the seal ring which held
them together was OF gold. Suddenly
his face flushed. and he began to ex'
anime the small gold key.
1t was elaborately chased. and some
thing or other connected with it plain
ly caused him considerable amount
of agitation.
Good .heavens!" muttered he, ito
nnd II mere! Can there DO two such
keys? No. nor
Without hesitating n moment longer
he dashed on through the woodland
before him.
(Which is Willow cottageP" asked
he OF the first person he met. and BIZ
voice betrayed his agitation.
straight on till ye gets to the fus
uiIe. and then 60 to the left. sir. 'fis
that slate-colored house with the clump
o. willows behind it."
"And who lives thcrep Do you
knowpn continued Nigel.
"A widow lady, SIR o the name o.
Grey; quiet sort o. body. with two
grown-up daughters"
Grey! Then must be mistaken;
her name was not Grey" murmured
.he young man when his informant
passed on.
Again. however. he examined the
article he had found, and once more
Il. .tat Ion vaf
'.Still. must be mistakenr repeat
ed he to himself.
With one more searching glance al
The glittering thing which had awakca
ed by-gone memories, he turned to
ward the willows. and an instant later
was inquiring OF the neat parlor maid
who answered his summons, "if Mrs
Grey was at home"
.'Yes. sir. Will you please walk thi'
wayw
Aud he was ushered into pretty
room. where lady dressed in sligb
! mourning was seated at a writing
, table.
One glance convinced him that sh'
was quite a stranger to him as she rose
toagreet him.
Permit me to ask" he begar
courtcously. whether these arc th'
keys which. presume. you have lost
found them on the way here from
Foreham." and at the samc time III
produced the bunch and held them to
ward the lady.
"A friend OF mine who IL stayin!
with me lost some keys. Yes. those
arc the ones that werc lost. Oh. hov
much obliged To you l ami" reptile,
she. with evident satisfaction examin
Ing them meantime atientiycly.
Had not her gaze been directed 4
the keys she must hayc Observes
Nigers renewed agitation.
"A friend of yoursr he faltercd
May l ask wliop What is her name9
''Her namep' responded the stdy
lookiug up with smile. 1t Is not
lady. but u gentleman who lost til
keys"
"a gcntlcman!" stammorcd Nigel
and by this time his listener began /
perceive that there was something con
nected with the bunch of keys whic
raised some memories not altogothe
free from pain.
II am sure my friend would like I
thank you himself for your kindnes
in bringing back his property" sll
said. will you sit down? He ha
only walked up to tho ruins with M
daughters"
you arc very kind. replied Nigel
his heart beating uneyenly as he at
ccpted Mrs. Grey's offer.
Then. as strangers are wont to d
when they are throwa together an
civility obliges them 10 make SON
effort at conversation. several con
monplace remarks were exchanged b,
tween the lady and gentleman. Will
Nixcl's pulscs were throbbiug and til
question mentally recurring. Who
this man who owns her key ~
Ho had hardly waited a quarter {
40 hour when footsteps and laughte
announced the retnru OF the Misst
Grey and their visitor
Here they arc. said Mrs Grey.
The door was thrown open. and tw
young laslics entered. followed by
very handsome young man.
''Hush. exclaimed she lady OF III
louse, turning 10 the newcomer. ''thl
!. ~. Lt-