Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1892-09-10
recalled her words

The letter took me long to write. In D
dozen ways / tried 10 explain my conduct.
1t had been a strange week 10 me, this last
week In St. Gabriel's Grange. Never had
been so quickly impressed with like and dis
like of my fellow creatures; never had per-
sonalities been so swiftly and sharply de
fined in my mind. Already 1t was as though
! had known them for years. Even Gilbert
Gascoigne and Crawford Garden / seemed
10 know well. And OF no one Of them was
Ii likely / should ever hear again-whethef
Annis dared all for her cousin-loyer and
was happy, whether Gilbert was restored tc
the favor OF his uncle, or was Ousted by the
treachery / felt certain would be employed
by Garden. ! felt that there was a story
hidden in these lives; but the thread would
not be interviewer in my W life. MY
thoughts were full of restless bitterness and
resentment, and | took up a book to strive
10 interest myself in that, needing not the
hour struck by the big clock in the library
below. A gentle tap at the door aroused
me.
Come i'm l called.
Perhaps Lucy was sitting up for her mis-
tress, and had come TO offer help 10 me.
But, instead Of Lucy, Annis Farquhar came
IN, IN her white dressing-robe, with her
golden hair in a cloud about her face.
"You are back eary!' l cried, startingup.
mo, ii is you who are late. / saw the
light In your room, and thought l might
venture b tap. Sit down, please. / want
TO talk to you. You are not busy, are yCu?'
mo. | am not busy"
She knelt down on the hearth-rug by my
side.
TELL me, nave you been writing homer
she said, raising her blue eyes anxiously 10
my face. Have you been writing 10 say
you would not stop herey'
"Yes, / have" j answered.
Have you quite decidedg' she faltered.
Quite. Are YOU surprised? Would you
have done otherwise?'
Il cannot tell. know we have treated
you shamefully. / know that you are jnsti-
fed In leaving US, and that you must hate
us. But, oh-if you would stay, YiOlav'
DO you want me 10 stay? You are very
different from your sisters. Have not they
been trying to drive me away ever since I
came? Why can you wish me to stay?'
shall / tell you? 1t is because / want a
friend so much, Viola; and / want you TO
be that friend. Don't you think you could
care for me%'
She looked up beseechingly and took hold
OF my hand.
Dear Annis," I answered, you have
been kind TO me always. But indeed I CALI
not stay TO be treated rs your sisters treat
me, 20 be thought Of as they think Of me-"
II knew nothing Of it-of what happened
this m~orring-tiIl | saw Gilbert this even
ing; and he told me how rude GwendoliHe
had been, and bow shocked he was. / won
der they will have anything to do with usF'
Annis cried. 1--WE have stepped into their
places. wonder Uric can care for ne.
But Gwendoline is very unhappy, Viola. /
think you would forgive her II you knew all.
And I am sure they will both learn to love
you as | do, If you will only wait and be
patient. Viola, don't leave us!'
"You cannot care for me after only a
week, Annis," ! said, battling against the
impulse to kiss the fair face and say Iwould
never leave the Grange while she was my
friend. "You have others who are nearer
and dearer friends 10 you than l could ever
be. l am only your unele's secretary"
II have no friendsr' she cried. "How
cruel you are, Viola! My sisters words
cannot hurt you; they could not make Gil
bert or Uric think III Of YOU"
Gould you remain" | asked her, ''where
you were called a spy, or thought to be In
so detestable a position? / cannot tell why
Lady Martin supposes Mr.. Gascoigne should
require such service, but | will not stop 10
be even considered suchr'
'Did Gwendoline say thai?' said Annis
wonderingly. "Ah, she thought You would
tell uncle Richard that we had met our
cousins"
HAS he then forbidden it?'
"Neyer. But he forbade them TO set foo.
on Grange land; and my sisters are afraid
10 LEI him know that we see them. | dare
no. tell him I am engaged 10 Uric, for they
will not let me-"
"And your
TO BE CONTINUED.