Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1894-04-14
A DOUBLE TREACHERY.


hours before very much better, the fever
all gone. He did not attempt to account
for the change, nor did he say that the
Improvement was more than temporary.
ave must waitr' he said gravely.ho;,ing
that II might be one Of those extraordina-
ry efforts made by nature and youth. Had
he looked under Dora's pillow he would
have found letter with the Cairo post
mark; four pages, signed Frank--four
pages confession and explanation.
II wSs such letter as the sick girl had
dreamed Of in past days. Had she her.
self dictated its words she could not have
found any so tender and loving. Every
thing which could soothc ber wounds and
spare her delicacy was there. He i'm
p1ored her pardon. narrated TO her all the
temptations 10 which he had been exposed
and all his struggles. He babe Dora dis
trust Sylvia, and with clearness Of per-
ception born OF his former passion. he de-
scribed her beaItlessness and total lack
Of honor or principle.
Had that letter reached Dora but few
days earlier, Now all its tenderness was
like food brought too late 90 a man dying
OF hunger: he sees II, smells il, but can
not swallow il. Over and over again the
sick girl read this letter. She drew il
from the envelope, kissed ii lovingly, and
even through her closed lids saw its. .ey-
cry word and the color of the stamp
Frank had not forgotten her! And she
fell asleep as if her head had been upon
his shoulder. Suddenly she awoke, and.
rs we said before. in most peculiar state /;
she felt all nerves. and yet as if she. held
on TO life with but the slenderest thread.
IL was night, and the room in which she
lay was in shadow. The lamp. halftnrned
down. lighted only the scattered work -ta-
bic and poor Mrs. De Lacy's sleeping face.
pora's whole past came back 10 her;
forgo.tan incidents OF her chiidhood I;
scenes that at the time she had not un-
derstood; words heard as in dream-all
returned.
The girl was bewildered. but not terri
fed. She did not know that very often
death Is heralded by exactly this cIces-
sive excitement of the faculties.
She saw her father through the open
door. Her mother lay back in her chair.
utterly worn out, and all the traces Of
years of misery and of toll were visible
on her worn face. During the day they
were. in a measure. masked by will and
by constant occupation bat sleep brought
them out. The deep wrinkles and red
dened eyelids, the scanty hair. already
white at the temples, we're all too visible,
and Dora saw them all. How she longed
for the strength and power 10 kiss away
all these wrinkles! DE Lacy offered the
strongest possible contrast. With a nap
kin thrown over his knee, he sat eating
his supper. and at the same time reading
his newspaper. For the first time in her
life. Dora noticed the difference between
her father and mother. in her scanty black
dress. thin and haggard; her father.
wearing new coat. hale and hearty and
she understood the difference between
their lives and natures. The atmosphere
Of habit, which weakens the vision of
children, had vanished for her; she
judged her parents as if she were not
their daughter.
What would become Of her mother when
she was gomez Would she patiently toll
On until worn out, and then would her
selfish companion, too indolent to work
himself. allow her 10 starye2 And yet he
was not cruel; he was only absorbed in
his miserable ambition.
Should she try 20 arouse him, Should
she try to tear away the bandage with
which her father had for so many years
covered his eyesl IL was only loving
hand like her own that could attempt
such a delicate operation. She alone had
the right to say him:
4Give up these foolish dreams OF the
atrical career. Work at some honest
trade"
Then, as if she were bidden to hasten
by some invisible lips. she summoned all
her courage. and called him softly:
Papa, papa"
At the sound Of Ler voice the old actor
FASTENED TO her side. He had been at the
first representation Of new play; some
one had given him an order for the pit ;
and he had come away enchanted and ex-
cited. He entered his daughters room
with beaming smile, and flower in his
button-hole.
Not asleep yet. deary"
His words were said so lightly that they
resounded strangely in that sad and silent
room. Dora made sign for him TO be
quiet. and pointed to her sleeping mother.
.Come here. want To speak TO you,"
she whispered Her voice trembled, and
her widely-opened eyes had a strange far
away look.
Somewhat startled. he bent over her,
with his flower in his hand.
"what is it my dearf DO you feel any
worsei"
Dora shook her head. but beckoned him
o. come nearer; she laid her hot hand on
his. and whispered that she was i'll, and
had not long to live.
Then. papa. you will be alone with
mamma. Do not tremble. am not afraid
for myself. but dread lest mamma should
not be strong enough to do everything
Look, how pale she is!"
The actor turned, and seemed astonish-
ed at what he saw.
"She has never been very strong" he
said calmly.
This selfish reply, and. above all, the
tone in which il was made, confirmed Dora
In her intention.
"what will become Of you bothi Yes, l
know you have great hopes and expecta-
tions, but they will never be realized -
Dear father, do not wish to hurt your
feelings. but it seems to me that, ut your
age. with your intelligence, you ought TO
be doing something. Mr.. Florence, am
sure. would"
She spoke slowly, choosing her words
with care, and waiting moment after
each sentence; but the actor did not yet
grasp her meaning. He listened intently,
with vague consciousness that he was
being accused Of something; but Of what,
he had no idea.
IL think" continued Dora,timidly, shat
II would he far wiser to relinquish--"
.Whatl"
She stopped, astonished at the effect Of
her words; for tears, real :ears. rose to
her fathers eyes. He understood her
now Of the only two admirers left him
by cruel fate, one had now deserted
him! His child believed in him no longer!
1t was not possible! Dora's courage fed
before the mute entreaty Of his gaze; be-
sides, her strength was exhausted.
She murnurcd, "Give up-give up"
Her head fell back upon her pillows. and
she died without having dared TO say
what she wished him to relinquish.
.
The aforesaid De Lacy" is dead, my
worthy magistrate. She told you that
sine would never again make an attempt at
suicide, and she did not break her word.
This time Death came to hers:and took her
away. And now. incyedulous representa-
tive of the law, you may accept the evil
- r. l. ~. a. -