Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1892-02-13

hR ~ MINI IN q lAI
well, / declarel' he exclaimed; mot
exactly a case of signing for the flesh
pots, but, on the contrary, a sort of hank
ering after the bare husks' of Egypt
What don't you like about it? Tell me,
Phebe," he asked more earnestly.
"Oh, l don't like it; it's beautiful, and
everything Is elegant But ] was just
wondering il ! vas sufficiently OF the
world worldly; it seems to me s~o--incon-
gruous, all this gay style and elegance
and frivolity, right up here in the shadow
of these grand old solemn mountains, and
the pure sparkling waters, and"
"Oh, Phebe! Phebe! how much there
Is for you to learn yet. Why, little
teacher, you are Ignorant" interrupted
her cousin as they resumed their prom
enade. This is, you must know, con-
sidered a very quiet, tame sort Of place,
we have all come here to rest; it isn't at
all fashionable, or stylish, or gay; it is
retired and out-of-the-world; at least, that
is what Annette and her friends all tell
me-"
"Well, maybe il is, and / am ignorant
and Quakerish, and even old maidish;
but, indeed, / like the place, Cousin
Charles: don't imagine for a moment that
/ do not; and it is such a blessed change.'
And she sighed again, gratefully.
What. you two incoming out there all
alone yet? | shall have 10 look into this;
/ have heard Of cousinly fiirtations end
ing seriously, and l feel alarmed" Ii was
Mrs. Charles who spoke, stepping outside
the long windows that led into the par
lors. She had left the cousins out on the
piazza to talk over family affairs, after
having done her part as hostess earlier in
the evening, and had been inside with
her party Of friends, the gayest of the
dancers. ever since. Miss Flower smiled
at the playful accusation, but her cousin
looked a trifie annoyed at the charge.
There had been, at one time in his life,
a warm admiration and reverence for his
cousin Phebe, that recognition and man
agement on her part might have ripened
into love; but she had felt a cousinly af-
lection only, and so she never had known
how near to IA serious ending their
friendly intimacy had come. Mrs. Charles
| however, Judging from the still exalted
| opinion her husband held of all his cous-
ms views and actions, had a faint suspic-
ion that perhaps Phebe was still to him
the
Perfect woman, nobly planned,
To warn, to comfort, and commandl"
while she was only the
Creature not too bright and good
For human natures daily food;
For ira nsient sorrows, simpiew ilee,
Praise, blame, love, kisses, tears, and
smiles
Still she was not jealous of Phebe; she
loved and admired her very sincerely,
and she knew, TO, that her husband de-
votedly loved her now, and he was hers,
and she believed in him. Ii was, there
fore, without any suspicious meaning
whatever that she had made the laughing
accusation.
Come" she continued, slipping hei
hand through her husbands other arm,
''come, lets go see the players. Do you
know anything of billiards or pool!' she
asked Phebe, as they walked down toward
the gentlemen's room, where all the tables
were occupied.
81? Oh, no! Do ladies playT' was the
somewhat astonished answer. Miss
Flower had never associated those games
with any other than mems amusements,
and her surprise was as great as her
query had been naive, when she saw
party of elegantly dressed ladies at the
pool tables striking the balls with all
the energy and spirit of proficient players.
"Do ladies' playy' echoed Mrs. Charles,
with a smile. "Well, they try 10. don't
they, Charles? I'd give a great deal 10
be able to beat N or two know. See,
isn't that a beautiful shot?"
They had entered the room and stood
watching the play. One young woman,
in somewhat decOllete evening dress, was
leaning forward to make her shot. her
white arms and beautiful figure we'll dis.
played on the background of green cloth,
and an admiring group of ladies and gen
IN greeted her success with shouts
Of applause and laughter, To Phebe il
looked unlady-like; cards and chess. and
even the vigorous outdoor games Of ten.
mis- and croquet seemed proper and fitting
enough; but this sort of bar-room game
appeared in her eyes not only unlady like,
but unwomanly.
Now. let's peep in at the billiard play,
ers," said DIR. hurry. watching Phebe's
serious face: and they walked into the
adjoining room, where some gentlemen
were contesting a game. This was in.
teresting and fascinating. A hushed
quiet reigned, broken only by the SHARP
click OF the balls as they touched, and
the lookers-on appeared as intent upon
each shot as those who were playing.
Like most games, it appeared to portray
the characters of the players; the one
adroit, scheming, dashing in his play,
the other quiet, slow, effective. Phebe
enjoyed watching the scientifically cal
culated shots; it was geometry in action.
"Well:' said DIR. hurry, i~nterrogative-
ly.
why, Cousin Charles, this is beauti.
full exclaimed Phebe, enthusiastically.
1T reminds me of astronomy, only the
influence of the Divine Power is to avoid
Il sLz aln.l.n. IS h 49,. .l.la A.
human mind calculates to hit a ball each
time. i like it, should call this a grand
game"
.'Oh, l wish l could play billiards.
sighed Mrs. Charles.
''Do ladies play this, too?' asked Phebe.
"As Annette said, a few moments ago,
they try to- Phebe, but 1T never hurts
anyone-not even a hall"
The hilarious party from the pool-room
now made their appearance at the door
of the billiard-room.
Come, DIR. and Mrs. hurry, and Miss
Flower, our little lady here, Mrs. Burton,
has lost the game, and as she declared
she would play against the whole party,
and treat if she lost, we are all included.
Will you allow me To be your escort, MisI
Flower And the speaker, "A tall, elder
ly, handsome man., with iron-gray hair
and mustache. offered his arm to Phebe.
AT a nod from her cousin she accepted
the arm, and followed the laughing party
into a small private room adjoining.
Here tables and chairs had apparently
been placed for their coming.
What will you have, boys and girisg'
cried Mrs. Burton, rs the waiter appeared
for orders. She was a very pretty little
brunette, sparkling with jewels, and
gorgeous in evening toilette. She pos
sessed a certain charm of voice and man
ner that could not resist liking, and
bore a strong resemblance to celebrated
French actress, which resemblance she
cultivated in dress and manner
They all chose drinks, to Miss Flowers
great surprise, and drinks the very names
of which To her were revelations.
Cocktails" ''Gin-fizz," whisky
sour" and "Brandy-straight,' were to
her ears an drgof incomprehensible.
"And y IN, Miss Flower The gentle
man who had escorted her in had seated