Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-05-20


one you sent--aud now il seems years
since lost the one being in the world
who loved me and sympathized with
me.
Lawrence (quicklyl-The only per-
son? Don't say So, Madge. l-(with
meaning) - there are a great many
people who would do anything for
You.
Mrs. Viviau-Anythiny in reason.
(Smiling sadly.) But it's only ones
husband-one's lover. like dear Leslie,
who will do unreasonable things for
me. All! don't you understand; it isn't
the same.
Lawrence-Yes, unG erstand You
loved him.
Mrs. Fivian--He loved me- You
know how he loved me. Lawrence,
you were with him when he died--he
gave you messages for me, did he not?
You have come to tell me-to desert be
IL all. Tou were his best friend--you
knew all about him. you knew why he
went abroad so suddenly did not; but
always made point of not plaguing
dear Leslie with questions.
Lawrence thesitatIng)-Ile went TO
Paris-on business.
Mrs. Vivian-Of course, and never
could take in business details. Leslie
said, and should only have shackled
him. So was good and stayed at
home. But il had known that he
would never have come back ] wonld
have made him take me. I should not
have been in his way much. should I?
Lawrence-A woman IS always rather
a tie on n man
Mrs. Nivian-Ah, but not q mans
wife. And when he died. when his
horse shied in the Bois and threw him
Is Was sassn < n Z ssss sss * sss s sss;s ss e
Lawrence-Dear, you could hav
done no good (shuddering). 1t was n,
place for you.
Mrs. Nivian-Her husbands death
bed not his wife's place! All, Law
renee. would have given anything t<
hear my name on his lips at the last.
He did call for me, did he not" Tell
me--tell me-you arc so grudging,
have TO pull things out of you.
Lawrence--IIe did not say much. He
was stunned at first. OF course, and
then later-she would not let him see
any one-not even me.
Mrs. Nivian-She?
Lawrence--The--thc nurse--a-we
got one. 1t was necessary.
Mrs. Nivian-Yes; of course, | am
glad he had every comfort; but go on,
tell the things.
I.awrence--My dear,
Mrs. Nivian-And you said ia your
letter that you were bringing me
papers f7his-all his belongings. Oh,
Lawrence, IL you had ever loved any
one very dearly, you would understand
how my eyes ache for sight of his
writing,
Lawrence-loved any one very dear
ly! No, / am a bachelor. q.
Madge, dear, don't think said there
was anything IN his handwriting ex.
actly 1t is just what was found in
his pocket--letters received by him,
about business chiefly, ] think. /
thought you ought TO see them.
Mrs. Vivian (eagerly)-Oh,g give them
10 me.
Lawrence-Here. (Iianding her 3
and the papers fall out) Just glance
over them, will you?
Mrs. Vivian Dear Leslie, He
touched them, at any rate becomes ab-
sorbed.
The Child (suddenly, having picked
up a letter. can read hand
writing.
Mrs. Vivian--Can you, dearest? Yes,
Leslie touched
The Child (reading from the letter.
-" Ny own darling Stella
Lawrence {hastilyl-Give it 10 me,
child. tAside.l Good heavens.
thought had taken that one out.
Mrs. Vivian very pale)-No. give il
70 yonr mother, dear ITO Lawrence.
Il is intended for me.
Lawreuee--For you?
n Mrs. Vivian tpalrr still)-He often
called me -Stelia."
Lawrence-Did he? | never heard
Yes. now l remember.
Mrs Vivian-A pretty pet name. isn't
1t? ITO the cbild.l 60. dear, | am
busy. Lawrence opens the door and
lets out the ckild,l
Mrs Vivian tasidel--@M own dar-
ling Stella" Stella. Stella Grey, All,
| know. But ] won't read
IT. Why shouldI2 Neither shall she.
tBurns the letter.