Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1892-12-31
Ethel started. but icon did not notice II.
She stretched out N b. hand for it, tore

truly. ROwLASD SAxBY."
81 understood you to say that you had
come good news for me-" said Ethel.
us not that good ncwsf'
81 see nothing very good about II. 1t
is an invitation TO join Rowland at his
fathers residence at Blexley."
"Just so; but can't you see the drift Of
III"
81 cannot" replied Ethel, but her face
showed that she lied.
"well. then. said Leon, "in two weeks
time Rowland leads Grace Thorne to the
altar,
AT Blexleyl"
"Yes"
"oh. see. That's IL. is IN Very vel.
OF course shall have much pleasure in
joining the party; so also will my mother,
i aY sure. But how strange, / saw
Grace three days ago and she said she
did not exactly know when it was to take
place
"Neither did she. The day has been
fixed hy Rowland's father"
"Oh, understand. That is the reason.
Well, will you say that we shall have
much pleasure in being present"
ayes. And now, Ethel" seating HIM
self. IL propose we talk about our affairs
"Our affairsl"
"Yes, you know what mean, Ethel"
81 really do not"
"Well. Ethel. did not come here only
20 deliver that letter OF invitation.
came on another matter as we'll"
"Hem! You are getting quite bust
ness man, declare"
Don't mock me, Ethel. You must
know for what reason I have called"
81 shall know Immediately You tell me-"
"Well then, Ethel" taking her hand
within his own, ~ have called 10 tell you
once more how sincerely love you. Oh,
Ethel, d. not keep me longer in suspense.
II is cruel TO do so. And all this about
other people going to be married makes
me more miserable than ever. Ethel,
time after time have told you how well
and truly l love you. Take rity upon
me now, and say you will be my wife. /
don't think am such bad fellow, and l
am sure, Ethel, il you will be my wife,
you will find me most devoted"
II never said you were u bad fellow,
Leon"
mo, no, my dear, / know that, but"
81 have told you, Leon. that at present
] cannot entertain your offer.'
"You will think over itl'
"Yes; that promise"
"But Just tell me this. Ethel, and then
will be satisfied. Have you any love
for met"
Ethel hesitated What if she said she
hadi Well, she determined TO tell him a
deliberate lie.
IL cannot deny have some love for
you, Looii." sire said softly. as her !;..!e
feet tapped the rich carpet. "But you
know that my belief is that real love does
not come all at once. / think it takes
time"
"iou may be right. but so that you
have some love for me, care not. In a
little time, Ethel, you will learn TO love
me BETTER
AYES, that is likely enough, Leon"
Then am to say that your mother
and yourself viii join Rowland at Blex-
leyl"
"Yes. please"
Soon after this Leon departed, and nc
sooner had the door closed upon him than
Ethel rose from her seat.
Her face was veiy pale. and her eyes
which had worn a mild expression while
Leon was present, now blazed with g dan
gerous light.
For some moments she stood erect, hel
hands cienched so tightly that the nail.
seemed 10 be Embedded in the delicat,
! flesh.
! Presently her fury found vent in words
and, raising her hand above her, she sait
in low kissing tones
"The time is coming. Grace Thorne
the time is coming. Oh. how l hav,
| ionged to he under the same roof will
you! My revenge will be swift and sure
You don't go to Blexley to be married
10" and her voice rose into shrek
"yoa go to Blexley to meet your death
for as sure as l am living woman, s.
sure will kill you!"
At this mo.aent the door was pushed
I suddenly open $nd Mrs. Dauvers made
/ her appearance.
She looked at her daughter, and for tht
space of minute stood transhxcd >%:.ttl I
astonishment and terror.
Ethel she said, "what do you mcal
/ by uttering those fearful wordsi Art
you rehearsing some part for private the
atricalsl"
.No!"
"Then what on earth DO you mean b.
crying, 4 will kin your Kill whoT
No answer; Ethel stood before he
mother trembling from head to foot.
OF course she had not intended he
voice to be heard, but, as we have befor
aaid, her ungovernable fury would no
allow her 10 think of what she was doing
Ethel" said Mrs. Danvers sternly. 81
hope you will not be the means of causing
me TO say that curse the day you wer'
born. Your conduct of late has beer
more than extraordinary. and by III
means becoming a lady who has beer
brought up and educated in the manne'
you have. am suiprised--nay, disgust
ed at such unmaideniy conduct. Tell me
who has been heref'
"Lcon Cathcart."
"wellf"
/ .What?"
7, "You know what mean. Tic was her
for the usual purpose. presume~
al don't understand
Nonsense! He came here, I suppose
TO again offer you his handi"
.Not this time. mamma. He spoke N,
wori Of love-" replied Ethel calmly, bu
she did not look her mother in the face.
.Then what did be come fort"
"This." And she handed her mothe
the letter Of invitation.
.0n, that is IL. Vel, Nc ~; ko, q
course. and rs far as am concerned.
shall he very glad when this marriage
all over"
.whyf"
because all your romancing win cease
all that romantic nonsense you talk re
specting Rowland, and which hear yo'
utter even in your sleep, win end. An
then you will take the hand Of Leon. an'
you will both be very happy--as yo
ought to be-"
At these words, spoken slowly an,
firmly, EthePs breast rose and fell as
she were struggling for breath, and whe