Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-04-15
CHAPTER VIII,
THE APPOINTMENT KEPT.

But for superstitious dread, Bardolph
Dimsey would have gone straight TO the bel
fry and lay down there to wait but he knew
of the ghost-story attached TO that sombre
chamber, and dared not 60.
During the darkness he wandered about
the woods, and as soon as there was any
light In the sky he hurried to the church,
yard, and after careful look round, opened
the door, and assembled the dark winding
flight of stairs.
Reaching the chamber. he found there was
light enough coming through the narrow
slits in the wall to dispel supersttious fears.
He was tired and almost worn out Sleep
was an absolute necessity for him, and ly-
Ing down In the warmest corner, he curled
himself up like dog and slept.
But ere an hour elapsed he was awakened
by the boom Of the deepest sounding bell,
and sitting up he saw the "Bg Ben" of the
chamber working to and fro on its wheel.
What are they ringing for?' he asked,
''it isn't Sunday"
And then 1t occurred to him that only one
bell was going, and that there were gaps be-
tween each solemn note.
The dread truth flashed upon him-the
bellringer was tolling for t'e dead.
This Is some prank Of ners," he mutter.
ed; 'she thinks to drive me away, but I'll
stop till she comes"
He fiercely thrust his fingers Into his ears,
and then only partially smothered the
solemn sound.
Boom boom! 1t was horrible.
Then suddenly 1t stopped, and another
bell in quicker time tolled out the age Of
the dead person, whoeverit may have been.
Bardolph knew what 1t meant, and count.
ed the notes,
Twenty-six in all.
That's my age" he gasped, ''the fiends
seize herl know II Is some trick. I'll not
CO."
And though quaking in every limb he
kept there until the sounds ceased.
Then he heard the church-door close, and
peering cautiously through one of the OPEN
ings saw the old bellringer walk slowly
down the Path, res.c.h:.; s!:rSc.ss -s-..n -s..n..
pinch of SNUFF as he went The sight Of the
old man was reassuring.
1--WE been Q fool" muttered Bardolph /;
'ft was mere chance that led him TO toll for
another to-day. But anyway, don't want
to hear that bell again"
He filed his pipe, lit it. and began TO
smoke. fii little while tina church clock
struck ten. In two hours more Vida ought to
be there.
THE time viii soon pass" he said, and
leant back contentedly against the wall.
Vida was more than punctual. Barely
had the clock struck the succeeding hour
when the rustic of her dress was heard ON
the stairs. Bardolph got hurriedly upon his
feet and thrust his pipe into his pocket.
"She's not deceived me, he said, and his
eyes lighted up with the fierce fire Of pas
sion.
She entered the belfry with slow timid
step and he saw by her face that she had
passed the vigils Of the night slceplessly
end wearily. But she was calm and quiet.
"You are here early" she said.
II came rs soon as the san rose,n he an
swercd.
THAT was wise.' she said "But did
not hear bell tollingy'
"YeA confound itp' he growled, "xnd II
you had heard the boom Of Il IN this place
II would have made you shiver as tdid me"
VERY likely. Now you sec that An
true TO my tryst" Vida said, but l have
yet another proposal to make. We cannot
leave hcro (Dgothcr."
I'VE must do ~" he said; y will have
no more partingx"
''po yon court dlscoveryy' - aAksd. ~
have been obliged - plead . wish 10 frisnda
in town and what not % Get away"-thla