Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-01-21
a WREATH OF ORANGE
BLOSSOMS.
GLOW do you KNOW

II KNOW IL, slr. Ol yes, It's her, or I'm
not a living man. She is floating among
the weeds. She is---'
| Rowland waited to hear no more. He
rushed wildly from the house followed by
Leon and several gentlemen.
The night was very dark, huge black
clouds iloated overhead, giving signs of a
coming storm. the lake was in darkness,
and for some moments not one Of the now
excited persons assembled on its banks
could see any Object in the water.
They were beginning TO fancy that
what the gamekeeper had said existed in
his own imagination, when suddenly,
much after the manner OF flash OF
lightning, the moon burst through the
clouds and illuminated the lake.
simultaneously cry Of horror escaped
The lips Of all present.
There. in thc very centre OF the lake,
! and in the midst Of several clusters Of
lilies. was white form.
The form of female. Her face was
turned upward. her hands meekly crossed
upon her breast, and upon her brow was
"a wreath OF orange blossoms!
1t was indeed a striking and awful pic
ture, and one which was never forgotten
10y those who saw il.
Leon did not wait to run round the lake
for boat. but tearing of his coat he
plunged in. and shortly the body Of the
unfortunate girl was lying upon the bank.
As they looked at that wet form, and
noticed the peaceful expression upon her
face, more than one strong man burst into
tears.
Leon took her in lis arms and followed
by the others, walked slowly to the house
il was a mouirful procession.
They were met at the entrance by Sir
Rowland. who had had the forethought
10 tell the ladies' 10 keep inside.
Poor old Sir Rowland saw that what
the ganekceper had said WAS correct, but
| he felt be could not look at the unfortu-
nate Ethel, so turning his face away, he
| allowed them 10 pass in.
Pillows were brought and they laid her
tenderly upon the table in the sitting
room.
They touched nothing. The wreath Of
orange blossoms, which she had fixed
tightly upon her brow 10y small brooch
on either side. they did not attempt 10
| move.
Grace and her mother begged hard 20
he allowed TO take one look. but they
were gently but firmly denied.
Sir Rowland determined to wait until
the morning before he news Of the dis
covery Of Ethel shonld be broken TO her
mother.
But when the morning dawned two per-
sons lay dead in that house.
Mrs. Dauvers had passed peacefully
away in her sleep. A merciful Provi-
dence had spared her the agony Of know
ing that her daughter had taken her own
life.
And, strange 20 say, this occurred on
the very day that Rowland was TO have
led Grace to the altar.
One by one the guests sadly departed
TO their homes. and then the relatives
and friends Of Mrs. Danvers ana her
daughter were summoned 10 Blexley.
Two days after Icing found, an inquest
was held upon Ethel, and after most
UilluAt Nbt tttuItiti
the merciful verdict that Ethel Danvers
was found drowned, but how she came
into the water there was no evidence 10
show"
Mother and daughter were laid side by
side, and at this present moment there
sxists in Blexley Churehyard the granite
tombstone upon which is recorded their
nanies and ages. and any visitor may see
IL if he will slowly traverse the first
gravel path after entering the gates.
The marriage between Rowland and
Grace was delayed twelve months, but at
last Blexley was ea Jete. triumphal
arches were erected in the roads, the
bells rang a merry peal. aud the lads and
lasses Of Blexley and the surrounding
neighhorhool footed ii right merrily to
the tunes OF the spirited band from Lon
don.
And though old Sir Rowland did not
Join in the sports, bc was none the less
happy.
The one desire Of Isis life was eventually
fulfilled. and that was to live to nurse one
|
was more than fulfilled, for he lived &c
nurse no less than four.
After Rowland's marriage, Leon trav-
eled first from one part and then to an
o,her--neyer at rest. But at last the
da.t from Cupi,fs bow once more arrested
him. Tlis time his wooing did not last
long. and in less than twelve months after
Rowland. he also was married. and. We
may add, he and his wife were very
happy.
In very ancient cabinet in Grace's
dressing room is a'mahogany box bound
with gold. 1t is carefully locked out Of
sight, hut when any of her relations or
dear friends visit her. Grace will take 1t
out. tell them its history, and in the end
will open il and display torn and tan.
gle,l, but still distinguishable WHAT
Simply
A WREATH OF ORANGE BLOSSOMS