Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1892-06-18

Dear Ills " punishment
Miss Priscilla rose 20 90.
'If the Deity You preach were as mercilees
as you are, 1t had been a sad thing for the
world" she said. IL told you his sim. poor
boy, because 1 wished 10 have nothing secret
from you, for the sake of your old friend
ship, and you only taunt me with IL Oh.
you are very cruel!'
lie put out his hand to stop her.
"You must forgive me if / have spoken
harshly," he said. Il am only harsh because
/ feel so much. What do you mean To do?
This is a hard world for women who are
pcnnileSs."
''The LOrd takes care Of fools and chill
dren," Miss Priscilla answered with a break
ia her voice.
'Are you angry still?'' He extended his
hand as he spoke. And Miss Priscilla took
1t, her heart softenlng.
I'VE have been friends always, and /
should not like US toquarrel o at the last, I"
she said.
AT the lasi?" he echoed, looking at her
inquiringly.
'Of course / must leave the village. One
does not live asl have done hitherto, on
nothing
Nothing! And is IL as bad as that?''
IL have a couple OF hundreds left and the
furniture" she answered, smiling at him
family.
"YOu have not told me how IL came about
the necessity for your sacrifice, l mean,"
he said.
II do not know all the particulars, but 1
can guess She shiyered slightly as she
spoke. There was an extravagant youth,
and a position OF trust, and temptation and a
fall and ruin, unless a miracle ~interpOsed."
And you wrought the miracler' Mr. Horn
by said. with a rather uncertain smile quiy-
ering about hi. lips.
Il did all | could to save him from the con
sequences OF his deed"
And was the-the deficit for a large sum-
For q, 100. Had il been for much more.
! should nave been pOwerless."
I'm your place. l should not have interfer-
ed" Mr.. HOrnby said. signing. THE very
magnitude Of the otfeuse shows a hardened
nature
Miss Priscilla was weeping bitterly now.
1t Is too late Ia think OF that" she said.
THE thing is lone and iTevocable. / did
not tell you before, lest you should try 10
hinder me. He has gone abroad 10 make a
fresh start and to do well, / trust and be-
lieye. lie was Letty's son"
And you mean TO teaeh?' looking at her
pitifully.
1T is all | can think Of"
But il is such n hard life, and so difficult
10 find q place in even, nowadays, without a
special training.
mo matter; l can only try my very best"
She held out her hand 10 him. Goodbye"
she said; don't fret about me; | am more
hopeful than you are. l have good health
and all my wits about me, and | am ready TO
do my best at anything that Offers"
She shook hands wi6.l him, the pertnrha-
ton In his eyes meeting the striving smile in
hers, and then she went out, cad down the
rectory lawn, and through the little gate that
lei into the village street
Ii was a beautiful sunshiny June day.
From hilltop to hilltop the light seemed
suspended in guSSamer webs. and the sluin-
oerous peace that stretched over land and
sea was too perfect for common sounds TO
break. In Fairyiew village drowsy quiet
vas paramount. Even the roses growing in
'front.' of rustic porticos, swayed their languid
heads in the faint breezes somnolently. A
few children busted with dust-pies in the
,hadow OF the houses smiled at Miss Pris-
lila as she passed; a few ruStics lettering in
the thoroushsare touched their forelocks
with slow civility.
All the neighborhood knew Miss Priscilla,
md knowing her knew all her history. She
iad lived among them always. She was
Squire C~ompton's only surviving child, and
The was reputcd fa~bulously wealthy here,
where money WAS 50 rare. Ii did not matter
Slat Squire Compton had been held pool
r,sugh In his day, and that all he 1T had
scen divided equally between Priscilla and
edward Glynn, his grandson. Miss Pris-
lila must be wealthy, judged by her large
oenevolences. or course money does aecu-
nalate In the hands OF women, and Miss
Priscilla was economical In her personal ex-
,enditure, and beside, did not the way Of
sfe of Mr.. Edward Glynn prove how much
wealth must have fallen between themg
1t was not often that Mr.. Edward Glynn
aad chosen TO honor Fairview with his pres
snce, but from the few occasions when il had
| ,een favored, il retained a vivid memory Of
| lis elegant bearing, his costly equipments,
nd his general suggestiveness of luxury and
Ease. Fairview was quite proud that such a
distinguished gentleman owed his origin e
L however remotely. though Anew of the
| Idest inhabitants did venture TO whisper
mong themselves that Mr.. Edward Glynn
yas very like his father, and that his father
,ad been only a curse 10 every one who had
| ,ver trusted him. or course they would not
ave said this 10 Miss Priscilla for the world,
md they only breathed 1t TO each other In
| confidential moments, for Miss Priscilla was
kind of little Providence In the neighbor-
hood. ana a word against aught belonging to
| her was d~isloyalty.
AS she passed down the still street that
| salm June afternoon, one n another Offer
| ID her n friendly greeting; and, observation
Being none too acute here, NO one noticed
| with what a frozen smile she answered. She
was almost at her owndoor when a little girl
| ON clutches hobblel after her and put q rose
Into her hand.
1T Is OF the bush YOU gave me" h said,
| and then Miss Priscilla drew down her veil
and hurried on, weeping. How was she 10
leave these hearts that loved her and the
happy home I'm which she had spent her en-
tire lifetime?
Her little maidservant opened the door for
| her without waiting for her knock and took
her bonnet and shawl and brought her slip
pers and a cup Of tea. Miss Priscilla drank
the cheering beverage to give her courage.
and then she went into the little kitchen
where the little maiden sat sewing BY the
hearth.
"Jane," Miss Priscilla said. clearing her
throat sJane, l wish to say that at h end
OF the month you and l shall b. obliged 70
part"
James face assumed a expression Of dis
may, but she only said LORI She felt At
| that moment . whole volume OF things. hut
being an uncultured persoa she only said
"LoFr'
1T Is no fsnlt az yours. Jane" Miss PRS
| ella e~ontiuunl with uainsfaking nrocfaiOns