Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1891-01-10
and all. the time her heart was ruli OF a

and all. the time her heart vas fuli OF O
deadly, unforgiving rage. She had ex-
pected q different receptions lowly-
spoken, grateful humility--a recogni-
ton In face, and voice, and dropping
figure of the concession she had made,
and there was nothing of the kind. The
sweet voice was steady, the soft eyes
proud and thoughtful; the girls man
ner well-bred and self-possessed. Mrs.
Allenby acknowledged the charm of
these things, and hated her the more
bitterly.
II feel" she thought, las IL / could
not rest until that girl is dead.n
Speaking of your Uncle Michael"
she said, reminds me that he may
come hero at any time, and he must not
see you like this"
I'm black, do you meanp" asked Mary,
innocently.
mo, my dear child, but in this room.
II Is just a similar m to that / had ar
ranged for my butler, and he absolutely
refused to sleep in it,"
II do not sleep here" said Mary; "this
is my sitting-room, my bed chamber is
in front 1t is large and open, and so
much better for baby's health. Most
people make a mistake about their
sleeping-rooms; when both cannot be
large, they should choose the smaller
for the day time. AS for buffers, / do
not know their habits or what they ex-
pect."
"You do not understand me, my dear
child. / mean that it would never do
for you to receive my brother Michael
here, for though everything has been
explained most satisfactorily, he would
still be shocked to find Arthur's wife
shut away at the back of the house.
You must, you really must, get rid OF
that old gentleman In the drawing
room. / will pay the rent with pleas
ure.v
Thank you, madame said Mary,
with a resolute, negative gesture of her
pretty head. II could not think Of II
for a moment. Nothing would induce
me to disturb Mr.. Barker"
But consider how it may injure your
prospects"
with whomYn
"Uncle Michael
Whatever prospects / may have, and
Icertalnly haveno expectations, will not
be injured by this. l have met many
kind people since l have been alone,
but Mr.. Barker Is the kindest. / should
be very sorry to lose him. He will never
leave me through any fault or at any
suggestion of mine"
"Well, my dear" said Mrs. Allenby,
sit is for you to decide, of course. This
is not my house; still | think 1t almost
reprehensible TO run the risk of offend
ing him. DO think Of it. What do you
say, George?n
Pray do not ask me, my dear lady. i
am so entirely an advocate of letting
people have their own way when they
can afford it. AS for Uncle Michael, j
do not really think he would mind; and
Mr.. Barker might not al TO CO."
"But he must, If told.n
There is a legal fiction to that effect,
but Mr.. Barker is a nan who would be
very likely to barricade himself In his
rooms and keep loaded revolver on
the table. He thinks nothing Of throw
Ing the furniture at people"
Then followed some anecdotes of Mr..
Barker's temper that made Mrs. Allen
by's heart sink, and she wondered how
Mary could have such a dreadful per-
on in the house.
Now that we have broken the ice,
you may expect me very ~often,f she
said at parting. We meet on quite
new terms, and will have no by-gones.
Is that un~derstood?n
THAT is my wish" said Mary.
Mrs. Allenby kept her word, and was
a frequent visitor. She never by any
chance caught a glimpse of Mr.. Barker,
as she told Uncle Michael with a sense
of injury; but she made progress with
Mary, though the progress vas slow,
Mary thought Arthur's mother was
sorry for the past, though she was toe
proud to say it in words: but many little
acts of kindness showed a wish for q
better understanding.
Perhaps they were never drawn SO
nea together as when baby fell i'll, and
never might have been. DR.. Hyde said
it was an ordinary infantile complaint,
but it filed the house with terrible
anxiety, and Mrs. Allenby took up her
quarters there, to be near him night
and day.