Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1894-03-17
A DOUBLE TREACHERY.


there. The shutters Of the partners res
idence had been closed for fortnight
The gardener informed him that both
ladies were in the country, and that their
respective husbands went out Of town ev-
cry night. Frank decided TO speak TO job
but il was Saturday, pay day. and he was
obliged TO wait until the crowd Of opera
tives had left. Although inpatient and
out Of spirits. Frank experienced keen
pleasure III again finding himself in the
whirl Of life Of the great metropolis. In
all these faces, some honest, others vi
cious. he read the same contentment at
seeing the end Of the weeks labors. For
them, Sunday evidently began ut the
cashiers desk on Saturday evening at Z
o'clock.
The workpeople turned away from the
Office. rattling the money that glittered in
their palms. There were murmurs and
complaints sometimes, as they were in
formed Of fines or Of hours they had omit.
ted and above the tumult rose the calm
clear tones Of Jobs voice, as he defended
his masters interests. Frank knew the
scene by heart: he knew that those fit
ting shadows outside the door were the
wives on daughters, waiting 20 lead their
husbands or fathers past the glittering
temptations OF the accursed gin-sbops.
AT .ast Job was free. The two friends
met cordially; and in the huge factory,
now silent and empty for twenty flour
hours. the cashier explained fully the ex-
isting state Of things, Sylvia--her Law
ish expenditure, the honor of her home east
away and lost--he dwelt upon forcibly.-
Florence had just bought a house at
Richmond. formerly the residence of an
actress, and there they were installed in
the most luxurious fashion.with carriages,
horses. and numerous servants; in fact,
they lived like people Of enormous wealth.
But what occasioned old Denman the
greatest uncasiness was the fact that for
some time George had moi applied 10 him
for money, and yet Sylvia spent more than
ever
My confidence is gone" said the un-
happy cashier. shaking his head; ''my
confidence is gone forever" Then low
ering his voice, he added: "But your
brother. Frank. yoar brother' What can
he possibly be thinking off He seems TO
he in q dream the greater part Of his time.
lie thinks of nothing. cares for nothing,
but this invention of his. | assure you,
every ono is saying, "Is the man knave
or fool7"
The two men were walking in the gar
den. Frank could almost have believed
himself 10 be the sport Of troubled
dream. His hurried journey; the sudden
change OF climate and surroundings; Jobs
monotonous voice. revolutionizing all his
Treconceivcd ideas Of Sylvia, the woman
he bad loved, of his brother. the man
whose honor had been above suspicion-it
all bewildered him.
1t was late. job invited him to GO
home with him, but Frank refused pre-
ferring TO be alone. Mechanically he
turned 10 his old quarters. and on the door
saw the card. TO be let" 1t was the
room where he and his brother had lived
for so many years. and opposite glistened
the De Lacy's little sign. Their door was
half open. Should he go inf In the
whole Of London he could not have found
a safer shelter;l IT was like quiet harbor,
a shore radiant with sunshine and peace,
whore the waters were calm and clear,
while outside the tempests reared and the
waves ran mountain high. Without his
knowing it. Dora's love for him created
about her an atmosphere of gentle tender
ness. which was inexpressibly grateful 10
his wounded. sore Heart. Dora, the little
icicle gradually thawed. They were talk
ing with much animation while Mrs. De
Lacy spread the supper-table.
''You must have supper with us Frank
she said. My husband has gone to
carry our work home. but he will return
soon"
The poor wife said this with an air of
pride; for since his grand managerial pro-
ject, Mr.. De Lacy had given up his Satnr-
day entertainments. Instead he would
bring his guests home; and in a few min
ntes he appeared, accompanied by two
broken down actors; one, wrinklcd and
shFivelled. with an unmistakable air of
the footlights; the other buttoned up to
the chin, without the smallest visible evil
dence Of linen. De Lacy announced his
visitors pompously at the door. but inter-
rupted himself in the middle by catching
sight of Frank.
Frank! my dear boy,- cried the old
player, III melodramatic tone, "come To
my arms
Dora made little grimace as she saw
their guests. 1t would have been 50
much pleasanter To have had no strangers
there that evening; but her father cared
little for that. His first thought was 10
undo his parcels. He produced a large
meat-pie, "for the ladies'" he said. forget
ting that il was he himself who adored it.
Then appeared lobster. u huge sausage,
and some early cherries.
Meanwhile, one of the visitors pulled up
an invisible shirt collar, and the other
furtively watched the preparations for
supper with hungry eyes. Dora thought
with terror of the immense hole made by
this in their weeks earnings, and Mrs. De
Lacy was at her wits end to find the re-
quisite number OF plates ana knives.
The supper was gay enough for the ac-
tors, but to Frank and the two women
the oft repeated anecdotes Of the theater
had the odor of extinguished lamps and
empty benches. The three men recalled
their enormous successes; for in their
own opinion they had been the greatest
stars Of histrionic art and while they
talked they ate as actors eat; three-quar-
teis turned TO the audience, napkin
spread on one knee. alternate mouthsful
prise, by adroit management of the knife
and fork.
Mrs. DE Lacy listened with smile. for
q woman cannot be the wife Of an actor
for thirty years without sympathizing
the corner Of the table sat Frank and
Dora. They talked in whispers, and heard
little Of what went on around them. Re-
of their childh.od. which
were valueless, except that they gave
them part in common. made up the sub
stance Of their conversation. Suddenly
Mr., DE Lacy interrupted them.
"Nou have not seen Your brother yet,
have your" he said to Frank. .'or his wife
All! there YOU will see fine lady; such
toiiettes, ami sucn style! fhey nave a
splendid establishment ut Richmond
They are quite beyond ms nowadays
never word, never visit! OF course,
for myself. 1 am perfectly indifferent. but
for these ladies, il is somewhat humili-
ating,'
"0h, papa said Dora eagerly. You
know we love Sylvia too much not to ex-
cuse her."
The actor struck the table with his fist.
"And that is exactly where yon are
wrong. III people insult and humiliate
you. you should not excuse Them
The faneied wrongs of the old comedian
still ranked in his soul.
IF you knew" he said to Frank. show
close and grasping your brother has
grown! asked him 10 lend me small
sum of money,which sum, small as it was,
would have made my fortune. l offered
him the best of security; but. If you will
credit my words. he refused me point
blank. His wife, forsooth, must have It
all. She rides on horseback. drives her
pony carriage, and altogether queens il