Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-01-07

ily at the everlasting cigar, "wbat = mis-
cradle, unhappy wretch I amt No o'ss
TO speak TO! II is awful! And when !
.honght Ethel would 60 for walk this
lovely moonlight night, Of course she is
indisposed. Never mind; Ill make the
most Of It. I'll rest in solitude and make
myself as miserable as possible under the
circumstances
And Leon took seat upon a rustic
bench, which was placed under the sbad-
ow Of gigantic oak.
There he sat until the last fragment of
his cigar had been consumed. and II is
quite possible that he would have dropped
off into quiet sleeps in fact, he had set
tied himself for that purpose.
Suddenly, however, he sat bolt upright
ani looked straight before him.
What was that black figure coming
rapidly towards himf Was IL woman2
"Now, that's a strange thing" muttered
Leon. "What on earth does ii meant Yes;
it is lady. but whoi"
The figure rapidly approached, and
Leon darted behind the oak. He deter
mined TO see who II was.
Nearer and nearer came the figure, and
Leon could see that whoever it was
wished to escape being seen. for she kept
well in the shadow Of the trees.
Now che passed the oak. and as she
did SO, Leon almost uttered loud cry OF
astonishment.
"By lIeaven!" he muttcred. looking af-
her like ono stupefed. "it is Ethel Dan
vers! And what terrible expression is
upon her features! What does this
meant What mystery is herei An, she
goes in the direction OF the summer
/ house. II Is dishonorable thing 10 do,
but must see what this mystery is,
( Ethel Danvers."
! Buitoning up his coat, he followed her
slowly but cationsIy.
"My darling, only little longer, and
we shall be one'
/ And Rowland, STOPPING fnll in the
moons rays, imprinted passionate kiss
/ upon the beautiful face uptuIned to his,
beaming with world of love.
"Yon make me very, very happy, Row
( land. often wonder whether there are
any young girls in the world so happy
rs J."
''0f course there are, my pet. Thou
sands and thousands Of hearts at this
very moment are filed with love such as
ours
Heaven bless them ALL" said Grace,
softly.
"Amen 10 that replied Rowland, az he
pressed the slight form closer TO him.
"And now Jet US go to our old spot, my
dear. There We can talk about the fu-
ture-
So, with their arms entwined. and hap
py oeyond expression. walked the lovers
towards the summer-house.
Il am sorry Ethel is indisrosed," said
Grace.
$50 ain 1, indeed; Int she has not
seemed well lately. There has been a
restless, strange look in her eyes, / fancy.
/ should not be at all surprised il she
were to be very ill.,"
DO you think she frets2"
"Fretsl No; don't know what she
can have Ia fret altnut"
IL wish she would yield 10 Leon. He
loves her so very, very much; and he Is
handsome and rich. j can't think what
more she desires"
"You are quite right. but"
Rowland was interrupted by the sud-
dea appearance Of one Of the footmen,
who. bowing respectfully. said:
/ "Beg pardon, sir. but Sir Rowland SAID
that should very likely find you here.
A 10y has just delivered this note, sir"
And he handed Rowland a letter.
"IIow very annoying" cried Rowland,
( tearing OF the envelope. "Wbo can this
Le 'FRONT.'"
( As he read il his face assumed an ex-
preston of wonder, and when he had fin
ished he sat down and real it to Grace.
Listen" he said. .what a strange
thing. To Rowland Saxby. Esq.--Sir.--
/ The writer Of this has most important
4 communication to make TO you. He is
now waiting for you at the outside gates
Of the house. Strictly private What do
( you think Of that I"
IL don't know what to think Rowland
I But you had better see what it is, had
you mott"
Il suppose so. Well, this is extraordi-
nary. Very WE'LL" he added to the man.
II will follow you"
II win await you here, Rowland. You
will not be longf'
mo, not more than few moments,
dare say. If i am rather long, come on
10 the house"
/ And away sped Rowland.
( Grace left the summer house and walk
ed TO the edge Of the lake.
| The moon was shining in all its brillian-
cy, and the lake looked really grand.
( Save for the slight ripple of the wat er,
everything was peri iiy silent.
/ "what u happy girl am" though.
Grace. as she held up her wrists causing
/ the diamond bracelets upon her arms to
he reflected in the lake. III am, indeed,
/ very. very happy. and shall be happier
4 still when am dear Rowland's wife,"
4 A smile Of pleasure lit up her pretty
face as she thought Of this. She felt in-
clined 10 break the Stiffness of the night
with bright joyous song.
I Little did slsc dream that pair Of
fierce eyes were directed upon her.
Suddenly, like the rush of snake
through the grass. tall dark figure
sprang from behind the summer-house.
! Then came wild, piercing shrek, and
Grace Thorne went headlong into the
lake--sent there by the crnel bands Of
Ethel Danvers. Only for one second did
Ethel look Mt the white figure battling
with the water. then, gathering up her
skirts she fled like the wind.
She did not see the form of man dart
/ from out the other side Of the summer
house. 1t was Leon Cathcart.
4 Throwing of his coat and hat he leapt
into the water. and in o moment had
clutched the drowning girl firmly by the
waist. He was only just in time.
Another moment and Ethel Danvers
! would have been u murieress.
.Bear Zip. Giace" cried Leon, holding
her tightly with his left arm, while with
his right he struck out for the opposite
hank, for that was the safest, AMI there
wss wore rbsne. ~ him getting the c-c-
/ girl out, because there were several boats
! ut hand.
But. alas, Grace had become totally in
sensible, and consequently sne was .
dead weight upon the courageous Leon.
Her long trailing skirts, 40 impedcd his