Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-04-15
CHAPTER VII.
A MIDNIGHT WEDDING.

Bardoiph Dimsey stole softly across the
park, and entered the wood that was on its
borders. Here for few moments he paus.
ed, 10 dwell. lover-like, on the rapturous
prospect before him.
lie had as good as won the woman hs
adored, and who but a few days before had
stood SO high above him that to look at her
was an act of audaeity, and to speak 10 her
to court punishment.
His nature was strong and sensual The
animal was predominant in him. Despite
bis boasted blood he had none OF the finer
instincts that belonged TO cultivated life.
lie knew no pleasure like qualification Of
his passions, and never troubled himself
how success was obtained.
Repentance for the crimc hc had been
guilty Of never so much as dawned In his
heart. The germ of sorrow was not there,
and could never be developed. The only
thought that troubled him on that score, and
troubled him very little, was In torment,
he was as one intoxicated, and when he
reached the gypsy encampment, Bluebell
Dell, he reeied like one who had been drink
ing.
,--saS~sa~n seated about dozen
men, women, and children, whom he pass
down at the entrance Of low tent under
which sat the old woman, Hecate, appar-
emily asleep.
Mother" he said breathlessly.
"Ah, Is that my bonnie boy? said the old
woman, opening her eyes. "Well, what
rewswhat news?'
Il have won her." he answered hoarsely;
1--WE are to be married here tomorrow
night"
$50, my bonnie boy--ah, she Is beautiful"
murmur ID the old woman"
"She is rare gem OF woman" he said;
I'D rather live with her week, than pass
a lifetime with any other woman / know"
You have made your choice" said He.
cate, holding up trembling finger. 80 did
your mother before you"
what do you mean? What has my moth.
er to do with it?'' he asked.
Evil came of her union with the house
dweller," answered the old hag.
That's all nonsense; evil comes any
way" he said. '1'll take her and risk It,"
she will not dwell with u.s."
mo matter"
ibid You ask her?'
II did, )" he replied with the lie ready to
his lips. II begged of her TO think Of the
love You bore me-"
THAT was right, my bonnie boy"
"But she would not. For year we shall
live away, and then In some other spot far
away we will come to you."
"A year Is a long time, Bardolph. am
getting old"
"You will live for many years" he urged,
'andyou must spare me for year to make
my life happy one. My wife will bring
beauty and money among our people"
mo good ever came of mixing the blood"
said Hecate, rocking herself to and fro.
"Why could you not fall in love with one
of our own grlss they are bright and bonnie,
they are brave at telling fortunes, they have
ready fingers, and you need not work and
would never want"
Mother" he said. II have chosen; let
things be as they are"
well, it shall be So" she said. ''To-mor-
row night you say?'
AYE, that Is the time; and rs soon as the
wedding Is over you must strike your tents
and move on"
1T shall be DONE" nurmured the old wo-
man, but / do not like Il. Evil came Of
evil, evilr'
the old woman mumbled on:
For years we prospered at nothing, dis
uas5 rr.:.,:..s.:eA No the law seanrss,d us, the
house-dwellers were bitter against us, and
know who set them on. 1t was your father
"a curse ON the day that we first saw himp
When she got upon this theme, Bardolph
knew that she would 20 on musing for hours
needless Of oil around her, so he rose up
ssietly and ioined the band around the fire.
When he gave his own version OF the VIC
tory he had obtained, and bid his friends
prepare for the coming wedding, laughter
and coarse jcsts abounded, and the men
drank and smoked far into the night.
At length all but Bardolph were asleep,
and he lay In his own tent dreaming Of the
joyous life In store for him.
He cared nothing for his people, and had
long grown tired OF old Hecate's maunder-
ing over him, although he had ever been
careful To conceal his WEAKNESS. A new
existence was open to him.
II shall have money, fine clothes, and live
the life Of gentleman" he thought exult-
ingly, sand shall have woman at my
side that all men Will long for. IL will be
brave living"
| II was within measurable distance; only
one Cay more Of his present life, and then
he would be free Of all the dirty miserable
surroundings OF his nomadlc existence. For
| very Joy he could have leapt up and shouted
his ioudest.
He rose early, and stole quietly to tho
shrubbery In the park, and crouching there
| watched for signs OF Vida q her window,
| aud was rewarded, after hours Of waiting,
I sxoIssop has <Ss.nsa Iaf tao