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

she had mo- alternative now but 10 accept the
consequences of her action
CHATTER II.
Mr.. Thomas Hornby sat al breakfast IN \
large, luxurious dining-rOOm; and Mrs
Thomas Hornby looked large and luxurious
herself. She wore a gov of conspicuous
pattern, and had bits Of color interspersed in
the iaces Of her cap, and many rings on her
plump hands.
Opposite was her husband. the rector's
brother, a man who asserted himself seldom
On either hand were the young Hombys,
who asserted themselves often
The silver urn was Kissing vigorously, and
the other pieces Of plate caught the suns
rays as they came broadly through the open
window. Mr.. Tom was reading the news
paper; Mrs. Tom was giving lessons In de-
pertinent 10 her offspring. who received i'm
struction as reluctantly as Is the wont Of
youth. 1t was only as Mr.. Tom was about
TO take his way toward the omnibus that
would bear him 10 the city that his wife adj
dressed him.
Il AVE had a letter from your brother
George, to-day"
Mr.. Tom stopped in mid-eareer.
Indeed! George Is not a great correspond
emit"
mo; but like other people, he can write
when he wants anything" r
Has he been begging Of you, for another
pet hobby Mr.. Tom smiled family, a.
people do with whom smiles are rare.
Not this time. but he has some woman on
his hands, and he wants me to dispose OF
her,
% "a woman. GAorger'
A flicker OF amusement played over Mrs.
Toms face.
Some person In his parish has got into
trouble; a lady, he says, who has been con-
for;ably provided for, but has chosen 10 be-
stow her fortune on a worthless relative, and
50 finds herself. in middle life, at the mercy
OF the world. Serves her right say J. can
do nothing for her"
Nov, l wonder who that could be? There
are not many moneyed ladies in Fairyiew.'
Mr.. Tom looked reflective.
Let me see. He gives her name. Comp
ton-yes, Miss Priscilla Compton"
Priscilla Compton, Mr.. Tom sat down
and let his particular omnibus follow its
predecessors why, she is our Oldest friend.
IL was her fathers influence that got George
Fairyiew. What can have happened to her?"
HE only says that she has sacrificed her
independence To the needs of some undesery-
Ing relative, and now wishes % work for her
bread. Such folly, as il the world could find
work for a woman grown old in idleneSsr'
Priscilla Compton working for her bread.
Dear, deari / remember her, a pretty girl
that held her head as high as any one. Why,
once upon a time George wOlshiped the very
ground she walked on, and now 30 think of
him trying to get her 4 situation! Well, time
does work wonders"
Your brother loved herr Mrs. Tom said.
looking at the letter with new interest
Yes, though l would not yentnre 10 say
that he ever told her so"
"Yet he married another"
"Yes; men do so sometimes, when an ener-
getic woman catches them on the rebound"
He looked at her. and uttered a little eack-
ling laugh, that came awkwardly Is though
ashamed OF itself.
Il suppose he is free 10 marry his first love
now, il he will" Mrs Tom said coldly.
"And he'll DO it-as sure a. l live he'll do
it, Mr.. Tom struck his hands together as
he spoke. Now that things are al a crisis
with her,
"You would like lido believe you would
like 1t though You know that our children
are his heirs"
'0h, hang il, Rebeccal Our children will
be as rich as Jews. and why should we
grudge him a fragment Of contentIaent In
his old ages
Becoming suddenly conscious Of the pas
sage Of time, Mr.. Tom made his exit hastily,
and his wife was left alone 10 ponder.
The rector was 4 widower and ehildlcsS
~. - Z -. -. - -. l.. - II
ways lived economically, he must have a
goodly store OF accumulations now. Mrs
Tom liked money, and Mrs. Tom had man
aged to make many indirect streams trickle
into her own pockets ere this through man
agement Mrs. Tom would not nave been
guilty of n criminal action for the world,
neither would she permit herself any Purse
that might seem like scheming; but In her
tire Mrs Tom had known the value Of
many artfully simple little lodges and the
chief of these was 70 remove temptation
when she knew il might be formidable.
Mrs Thomas Homby had as many annual
thousands as her husbands brother had hum
dreds, hui what did that matter? Business
was uncertain, said prudence; who could tell
what a godsend the rectors savings might
prove one day 10 her poor children? IL she
could help il, she would not permit this
second marriage.
Mrs Tom discussed the matter with her
self, poadered ON the possibility Of circnn-
stances playing into her hands. and finally
decided that IL was safest to rely only On
herself. She sat quite still for half an hour,
and then she rose with a rustic expressive Of
decision, and took her way up the wide, soft-
~ carpcted stairs
Fine rooms opened pa either hand. inc
pictures smiled down ON her from the walls;
but MH. Tom went ON 10 her room af the end
Of the corridor, and opened the o
A pale woman. who stood ~buttoning her
gloves BY the window, started and looked up
timidiy as Mrs Tom sailed In.
Are you going out. Miss Spencer
Z .Yes; the children have asked for an early
walk since the weather has grown 50 hot
and 80 I have taken them 10 the park for the
last week after breakfast"
sYou should have consulted me Aboat IT.
Mrs Tom said coldly.
II did not think ID mattered." the govern
ess answered, shrinking q little. They are
10 have a walk, aud when they get IL AZ the
best time 4
The best time Is q~ucstionables In any
ease. you should have consulted me"
Miss Spence did not answer that Address
Ing this large, prosperous self-asscrtive no
man Was an ordeal from which she shrznk.
"Indced, I have often thought lately that
you assume too much" Nnx Tom On.
sYou are too independent in ycur ways too
confident Of your own infaillbtlity.' Miss
Spence looked mp at her with the soft plead
Ing eycs that were the sole beauty IN her
pale. plain little face. Mrs. Tom did NOS
care 70 meet them q she continued. And