Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1891-12-12

GU pct IlOW bllt iOtts yOus III - De-
cause You are always so good to her---so
kind to all the children. Oh, Dick, it is
not yet too late for you to turn over a
new Ieaf--to begin life again.
Yes, 1t il too late for me now" he am
swered huskily: and without another
word he went down the narrow staircase
and out into the street.
On he walked. past the old bridge and
into quiet wood through which stream
danced over gray rocks, and there he
threw himself upon the long grass, and,
with tightly-clenchcI hands and an ex-
preston of deep anguish upon his face
looked back at all his past life, shudder-
ing with shame at the depth to which he
had fallen. He did not spare himself =
he recalled every scene, however re-
morscful its hideous blaclSness made him
feel now. The weight of sim that bur
dened his wasted life almost crushed
6im, and made him feel hopeless and de-
spairing: he was too full of bitterness TO
try as Mrs. Brenham had suggested to
begin his life again.
He knew there was still some goodness.
some purity left in the world-the very
thought of the poor circus-rider whom
he had Just left made him realize that,
for, although placed amid trying sur
roundings, she was as pure and good rs
his own mother had been--his mother
whom he was never to sec again, for by
his life ne had forever shut out that hope
his sweet mother, who had died with
his hand clasped lovingly in hers. With
a sob of despair, lie crieI--
'Ah, mother, il you had lived, should
not have fallen SO low--so lowI
He lay there oblivious of the flight of
time, until the sound of the distant
church clock made him start up; it was
striking eight, and already the bright
| lights of the circus would be burning,
and the work of the evening would have
begun. He walked back quickly, and
was greeted with n shower of abuse be-
cause of his delay and shirking of work,
| and language Just as coarse was on his
| lips, when the remembrance of the sin-
| pie words, II trust you," checked it,;
| and, without answering, he went into
| the tent.
The lights fiared and fiuttered. the band
| played noisily. and around the ring paced
| the well-trained horses. while the seats
were crowded with eager spectators. 1t
was "Wild Dicks" turn, 80. hastily chang
| ing his clothes. he rode into the brightly
| lighted ring. Never had he ridden as lac
rode that night, for his hands were steady,
! his head was cool. The shouting and the
| Clapping of many hands made him smile
| bitterly, for bis usual excitement was ab-
| sent that night, and he saw the hollow
| falseness of his life as he had never seen
| IL before.
As he retire from the ring, he passed
! Fairy. who was sitting on u small stool
| Just outside, trying hard to keep her eyes
| open; her share of the entertainment was
over, and she was waiting for her moth
cr. who had still one more part TO under
| take. She stood patiently waiting her
| turn. her dark ewes locking strangely
bright and wistful, while such vivid
| color flushed her cheeks that she stood
quite young and pretty.
You look better tonight, Mrs. Bren-
ham" said Dick, as he passed her.
do Il / am very tired; | was just
! thinking how nice ii must he TO rest--t0
| have nothing to do but rest" She ut
tered the words dreamily, as if speaking
| To herself.
And fairy is tired, too" said Dick,
lifting the child in his arms as lie spoke,
| and stroking her fair head tcnderly.
There is no rest for any of us until
| our work is done, remarked Mrs. Bren-
| ham
Fairy fell fast asleep in Dicks arms, and
! he was still holding her when the riders
| came slowly back: the grand quadrille
was finished, and Mrs. Brenham's work
I for the evening was over. She was the
last to disnount, and got down slowly
| holding up her gaudy habit with careful
I hands her face had lost it, bright Grim
son flush, and looked CHASTITY pale in tn,
dim light. She glanced at Fairy with &
|, smile.
is she asleep" she asked.
! ''Yes; poor little mortal, she seems quite
| tired out" Dick answered; then he added
IF you are going home now, viii carry
her for YOU
| Thank YOU; hut won't YOU be wantedE
che asked gently.
II can very soon run hack again." he
! answered.
Then will be quick and change my
| dress. She made moVeiorward, then
] suddenly stopping, looked up at Dick
with eyes full of anguish. Il feel so faint
SO i'll. she whispered; aud even rs she
| spoke she staggered and fell a stream ol
| blood rushing from her pale lips and dye
| ing the tawdry yellow habit that she
| wore.
In IA moment all was confusion. Dick
handed the sieeping Child to woman
| who was standing near, and went anu
| knelt by Mrs. Brenhams side. Another
| of the men had rushed TO fetch doctor
| who in few minutes was AT her side.
1T is a case OF very few minutes
| she is in the last stage Of consumption
| and has no strength To sustain such Sc
we're hemorrhage," he said: and at hi:
words murmur of pity and sorrow came
from the crowd Of sympathetic lockers
| on.
| The loud music still went ON, with tn,
cracking of whips, the dull rhud of th'
horses hoofs, and the shouts and laugh
ter of the people; while the poor circus
| rider lay dying.
She recovered consciousness once, anC
looked round eagerly. When her eye.
| rested on Dick, an expression of peace
came into them. She put out her wasteC
hand, and he grasped it with his stronf
fingers: her voice was 40 weak that b,
had TO bend low 10 hear her broken words
"Fairy-she loves you; be good-to her
| leave her--to you"
| A look of pity, mingled with some 9th
er expression which was rot easy to read
was his face, and she spoke again.
! LET me - die - happy. Promise =
promise me!' she whispered family.
| "A look of firm determination and reso
lutte purpose dawned in his blue eyes a
he answered.
II will take her and guard her, as yo,
Yourself would have guarded her, from
| all evil"
| 1t sounded like solemn vow, and Tho
| dying woman smiled.
| "I-am-happy-now," she said, ant
her dark eyes closed. In few moment:
she opened them again and looked rounc
wildly, the shout Of the people and th,
music of the band sounded louder thar
ever. "Norcst; Iam--so otired--always--
tired. tried--to--be--good. Oh
Heaven s-how-hard---.r Ther
suddenly the look of feverish restlessness