Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1892-08-20
slde-doors led.

me. Surely L az been tranSplanted into
another region. For this room, long and low
though II was. was brightly lit and brightly
furnished. There was n satin paper on the
walls, a gold and pale green dado, and a
number Of modern water-color paintings;
there were pretty fancy tables and low satin
chairs, crswel-embroidered curtains across
the windows, a japanese screen, a glitter
ing five-o'cloek tea-seryice on a gipsy-stand,
and a grand piano, open, with one of Sulli-
vans songs upOn IL
"My lady," II would seem, did not love
ancient ways and conditions, but strove with
much success TO MAKE her special room
cheerfully aud elegantly fashionable. IL
had a pleasant tempting appearance, with
its soft bright colors and cleaning lamps,
its tea-cups and blazing fire. A novel Of
Nudes lay open IN an ottoman; anti-ma-
CAESARS worked In intricate crewels adorned
the couch.
But to me the old-world flavor and quaint
antiquity Of the Grange had revealed a new
phase of existence; / had been fascinated
by the battlements aud gables without, the
dark wood and dim corridors within; and
now wonder and disappointment fell upon
me as / saw the sunflower curtains, the
Blrket Foster paintings, and the Brentwood
grand. They Jared, they were out Of all
accord with 81. Gabriel's Grange and the
pictures / had drawn Of its inhabitants.
No one had come down except myself, a.
though the Dresden clock on the mantel-
piece had Just struck half-past six In silveTy
tones; but, as 1 stood on the fluffy white
hearth-Tug, holding out my hands TO the
warm blaze, the door was opened, and three
ladies came i'm.
They were all young and all beautiful,
with tall figures and fair proud faces. One
of them, who appeared 10 be about twenty
five or ~twenty-six, wore q dark crimson
satin dress draped with black lace; the 9TH
or two were in white cashmere stylishly
trimmed with black velvet, and having
square-cut bodies and pulled sleeves.
The wearer Of the crimson gown advanced
10 me and held ont her hand.
IL hope you have found things prepared
for you, Miss ThOrne," she said. II anu Mr..
G~ascoigne's niece, Lady Martin PomerOy;
my sisters, Miss Farquhar and Miss Annie
Farquhar. IL is unfortunate that we arc
going out tonight, your first evening here;
but i do not suppose that my uncle will al
low us much OF your company"
The words were civil enough; the tone
was so careless as to be slightly scornful.
81 suppose Miss Thorne Is aware that she
is Mr.. GascOigne's companion, not ours"
said Miss FarquIar coldly.
He does not usually give his companions
much holiday, remarked Lady Martin, with
a short laugh. 1T Is possible you may find
ii dull at the Grange, Miss Thorne."
"Shall | make the tea, GwendOllneP'
broke In Miss Farquhar, a little inpatient
ly.
Her sister did not answer, but poured out
the fragrant beverage into the tiny cups
from the Japanese teapot, displaying as she
did 81 the curve OF a round white arm.
The youngest girl handed a cup 10 me,
and, with a pleasant smile, said, in a quick
low voice
you must be tired and cold after your
long journey. The tea Will refresh YOU;
but we are giving you nothing more because
my uncle will expect you to dine with him
at half-past seven"
"Mr. Gascoigne will expect you 10 do the
same every evening"" said Lady Martin
Pomeroy. You will breakfast with us or
by yourself, aud lunch at one. In the after
noon you will read 10 him, and, after an
hour here for tea, will devote your evenings
20 him."
"IIas Miss Thorne not been out as com-
panion before?' asked Miss Farquhar, rails
ing her eyebrows as though she would inti-
mate that | ought to know very we'll what
Was expected of me.
Every household is not conducted on the
same principles as ours" answered Lady
Martin.
"Do you not then spend the evenings,
with Mr.. Gascoigneg' | yentured 10 ask her.
Does he not dine with your
Not often" she said. 'He goes his way.
we go ours. Do you think this room Is Ike
what you have seen Of the rest of the
Grangeg'
Not In the least" | answered.
Every we'll this is where we live, except
when We can spend our evenings at Nor
bury"
You know, do you not" asked Annis,
that our uncle is an invalid, that he is
lame? He keeps TO his rooms a great deal.
and, as he is not in good health, he does not
care 10 90 out into society. But he does not
wish us to remain at-home with him we 90
ont lay his order"
Her tome wa almost apologize. as If she
wanted to explain what l might consider.
strange in their conduct.
"leS," said Lady Martin POmeroy, cury-
ing her lip scornfully, she generally prefers
hht SWIFTLY VI ~ Nc'ltthl ttS W buANs ApA
play che IS, l presume, Miss Thorne?' she
asked ain Fly.
at is one of the requirements Mr.. Gas
coigne named" / said. II have played oc-
easionally."
'Do YOU like it?'
Fairly well, compared, that is, with other
games, and not with reading or singing"
You will get plenty Of experience In it
haVa A 20 YaaI 1aaa 70 taala M DIE
ference what you read, or have you an equal
love for the Times and the Edinburgh Ro-
UteIc, Guy Livingstone and John HdIlfdrY"
Il should prefer the RerteD and John
Hdlttdr."
TO be ~sure-youar are a clergyman daugh-
ter; l had forgotten" she said, still with
tn. lingering scOrn.
Are you? | did not know that" Annis
broke in hurrledly. MY uncle has told us
SO little OF you. Indeed ii took us quite by
surprise TO hear that you were coming. I'm
Gle James Is very reticent; he does not con-
suit us much. 1t is not as though we were
his daughters, you see, or had lived with
him very long; and he has got into the habit,
l think, Of telling every one no more thanis
necessary"
you might as well tell Miss Thorne cam
uruiSi sdu ktul Aditln, that We hhu not
the most remote idea that she was engaged
until this morning, when the h~ousekeeper
was allowed to inform u.s."
(which accounts for us leaving you to-
night" added Annis. I'VE could not put
of our engagement. And we shall be away
all night; 50 you will have a lonely break
fast"
Il am used TO a good deal of loneliness"
I kaafd 81 axNacfa1 70 find tho Cro 80 tuu.h
NJ G~ascoigne told me that it
a railway-station, that
>pd one lady, q niece,