Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1894-03-31

Knows tDeir Iul power. ono snVeTcu
with dread when she thought that the
evil day might lie near Mt hand. She re-
membered horrible tales Of dishonored
homes, enraged husbands and deeds Of
revenge. Visions of death haunted her
waking hours as well As her dreams; and
death, its eternal repose, its deep silence,
terrified this poor earthly little creature,
absorbed in pleasure, and craving for ex-
citement and amusement.
This unfortunate letter put an end to
all these fears; now it was possible for
Frank to denounce her, even in a moment
of rage, for he had placed a powerful
weapon in her hand. The moment he
opened his lips, that moment she would
produce his letter, and all his accusations
would seem to Florence the merest calum-
mics.
She was radiant with delight; she
threw her windows wide open to the sun
and air. and at once issued numerous or
ders To her cook and gardener. The house
must be made charming, for was not
George coming againf She made arrange
ments for large dinner at the end Of the
week. She seemed as if she had just es-
capped from prison, so eager was she for
NOV ement and life.
The next evening, Sylvia, her husband,
and Madame Zola were together in the
drawing room. Florence sat drawing at
the table, while his wife was singing at
the piano to madame's accompaniment.
Suddenly she stopped in the middle Of
bar and laughed aloud.
The clock was striking ten.
Florence looked up in astonishment.
"What arc You laughing at he asked
"My thoughts" answered Sylvia gaily,
and she directed the attention of her
teacher to the clock.
1t was the hour named for the rendez-
vous at the station, and she was thinking
Of Frank promenading the platform in
vain expectation Of her coming.
From the moment that the messenger
had brought Sylvia's Yes, Franks restless
| anxiety left him. The die was east, and no
retreat was now possible. He argued no
more with himself; his conscience seemed
scared and hardened. He calmly made
all his arrangements, packed and sent of
his trunks, aud then sa: down in the va
cant room, without one pang for the girl
who would weep such bitter tears, without
one thought Of his brothers horror and
despair. All this was TO come later, but
was now Of minor consideration.
His mind was now concentrated on the
anticipation of meeting Sylvia st the sta
tion. She would come closely veiled, dress
ed unobtrusively in black. He thought Of
the train flying through the darkness; Of
n small graceful head lying among the
cushions, and two eyes that shone like
stars; and still the train sped ON. Then
vision of the blue sea, of an Eastern land
where they themselves were unknown,
came TO intoxicate and bewilder him.
Two hours before the time for his train,
Frank was at the station. He seated him
self in the darkest corner OF the waiting
room. and sat. as If carved out of stone
but his brain was as active as ever. He
looked about mechanically. though it was
far too early to expect Sylvia. In half an
hour. quarter of an hour he might begin
10 watch for her.
Then began that horrible expectation
that racks the nerves Of the strongest
Poets have written OF il most Of us have
felt il. And TO pass such moments in a
crowded railway station. with the noise of
opening and shutting doors. and constant
tramp of feet! Frank went outside, and
stood watching the cabs as they dis
charged their occupants.
A lady closely yelled; young girl with
her father; an elderly woman with her
maid, but no Sylvia.
II was a damp evening, light fog i'm
parted to the cab-lamps a faraway look;
but neither cab nor carriage brought Syl- |
via.
The hour for the departure Of the train
was near. He ran TO the booking Office
and took two tickets. Then he returned /
TO his post of observation. At last he saw
her. Yes. it was her figure; and with her
was another Madame Zola, OF
course. But second look undeceived
him. 1t was n lady bearing a certain re-
eemblance TO Sylvia. A young man joined
her. They were evidently bride and bride
groom. The father and mother were
there 70 see them off. They passed Frank
and he saw them get into the train. AT
this moment heavy hand was laid upon
his shoulder. He turned, and saw Mr..
Grey.
"Are you off by this trainl" said the
old man. 81 shall be your fellow-traveler.
but not very far" He then explained that
he had missed the train he had wished
to take. "For." he added. Il was detain-
ed in the City by the great failure to-day
hope Speed and Florence won't suffer;
but young people are not very cautious.
/ must be Off; they are going to shut the
gate"
Frank hardly heard these disconnected
sentences. His brothers ruin. the de-
etruction of the whole world, would not
have disturbed him at that moment.
The ten o'clock train puifed out Of the
station. He tried to think calmly. Evil
IDENTIFY she must have missed the Rich
mond train Would she come laterl
Should he go to Waterloo 10 meet her, or
wait for her heref He would wait. The
young man seated himself Suddenly he
found that he was dying Of thirst. The
1.efr.ee eh mant room yvas oman Ha went in .
but, just as he lifted the glass to his lips.
the notion that Sylvia was waiting for
him, alone in the darkness outside, took
such violent possession Of his mind that he
rushed out, leaving his money and the
untouched glass on the counter.
She will not come. What had hap
penedi Who had detained herf Was
she i'll, or overwhelmed by remorsei But
in that case she would have let him know.
Perhaps his brother had found the letter.
Sylvia was so careless.
While passing from conjecture to con-
lecture, the night wore on; the distant
buildings whitcned and became distinct.
What should he doi He would go at once
to Richmond and find out the truth. The
morning was chilly, and as he hurried
towards Waterloo he saw little crowd Of
working people gathered round u police
station. Ii he had only stopped to have
seen what interested them he would have
been saved many pang OF self-reproach.
Two or three hours later. when he
reached Richmond, the sun had risen. He
saw his brothers house, with its open
windows and gay flowers in the balconies.
He wandered about some time before he
ventured to enter the grounds. Suddenly
some one spoke to him, it was the coach
man.
.Good- morning sir; you are up bright
and early this morning"
"Any news at the house." asked the
young man, trembling.
mo, sir; nothing"
"Is my brother at homef"
mo, sir. My master has gone up to
town already"
.ls there anybody illl"
"Nobody. that know Of answered the
coachman, astonished.
Frank rang at the side door. He'heard
Sylvia's voice, Notwithstanding the early
| hour.
She spoke eagerly:
.No no cream. let the ice-puddinr he