Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1894-05-05
.whaS 40 you IssiaIyy7 You Win not per
Annie made an appealing gesture.

that generally pervades spot which has
been the scene of startling events, and
where the end has not arrived. The doors
stood wide open; the carpets were taken
up. and the long table in the dining room
was still loaded with glass and china and
the remains Of the supper. The mingled
odors OF wine and faded flowers assailcd
Florence on his entrance. There, too, was
the piano, with Ofienbach's "Galope Infer
male" upon IL. The windows were thrown
open, and the lace curtains waved in the
fresh morning breeze. The whole aspect
OF the rooms suggested shipwrecked
vessel, whose passengers had only escaped
with their lives.
Florence superintended the porters who
were moving the furniture. All the luxu-
~ that had filled his heart with innocent
pride, now inspired him with unconquer-
able disgust. But when he entered his
wife's apartment, his emotion nearly
choked him. II was large room. hung
with Gght-blue silk; white lace and rib
bons everywhere, at the windows, and on
the Pompador toilet-table On the foor
lay faded flower, a spray Of artificial
roses, a bit of lace torn from n hounce.
The candles of the candelabra had burned
themselves out, and so shiyered their
crystal sconces The bed. sbrouded in
curtains Of blue aud white. looked like n
couch Of state upon which no one ever
slept.
AT first Florence felt pang of regret.
bat in a few moments his heart grew hot
with indignation. Nothing retains 80
much of q woinan's individuality as the
room in which she lives. Even when alb
sent, her image still smiles on you
from her mirror. Her favorite chair is
there, the dainty work basket; and the
whole atmosphere is filed with her favor
ite perfume.
But there the thing that most wildly
recalled Sylvia was whatnot loaded with
trifles; a minute china tea service, mi
| croscopic fam, gilt shoe, a small shepherd
and shepher,iess exchanging smiles and
bows. This whatnot seemed 10 he a rep.
resentation Of Silvia's character She
herself, her principles. her honor, her
hopes and ambitions. were az trihing and
as fragile as the playthings on this use
less furniture.
Poor Florence's thoughts were sad
enough, while all about him resounded
with the noise Of hammers and heavy foot
steps. The confusion mCmentarily in
creased, when suddenly he heard Mr..
Chipp's voice outside. and bis father-in-
law appeared at the door, irate and ag-
gressivc.
What is this hear. Florencei What
are you doingf"
SELLING up, sir
The little man glared in a stupeied sort
of way.
"selling up! and why, may be permit
ted to askl'
"Beca,ise choose TO do So" answered
Florence, in measured tones.
Il do not deny,' said Mr. Chipp, in q
low voice, and taking u step forward--"I
do not deny that Sylvia's error has been
most grave. However, know very little
about it. / must remind you Of the Ma
poleonic proverb, that dirty linen is best
washed at home. II is not worth while. ii
strikes me, TO offer your work people
amusement gratis. Every operative in
yonr factory is laughing at you and
watching all this LoOkl Each pane in
those windows has face behind il. You
are the laughing stock Of the neighbor-
hood. my dear fellow' and the old man
pulled up his collar superciliously.
$50 much the Better. The dshonor has
been public; let the reparation be public
too"
This seeming indifference exasperated
his father in law; he changed his tone,
and began TO speak to Florence as TO a
child on an idiot.
"But you have no right TO do what you
are doing. shall oppose, it formally with
all my authority as father. Do you
think that you will be allowed to turn my
child into the street, Not at all, and
nothing more shall be taken from the
house."
And old Chipp planted himself before
the door with u martial air. The attitude
was very imposing, but il did not last
long; he was quietly seized by two strong
arms, and placed in the center OF the
room, while the workmen went in and out
as they pleased.
Listen to me-" said Florence, with in
tensity III am at the end Of my patience.
For hours have restrained myself; but
this cannot last, warn you. You had
better go. / am in the mood TO kill some
one. give you fair warning"
FloreBce's tone was so full of suppressed
fury. and his eyes blazed so iercely. that
Mr.. Chipp was convinced that obedience,
as well rs discretion, was the better part
of yalor. He stammered few words OF
apology, as he gradually got nearer the
door. On the threshold he fingered to ask
if Mrs. Chipp's small allowance would be
continued.
"Yes," answered Florence. but do not be
tempted t.. exceed it. for my position here
is no longer the same, and am not now
a partner in the firm"
Old Chipp opened pair Of astonished
eyes, but said not one word. Was this his
meek son-in-lawl This man who bristled
all over at a syllable, and talked of killing
people so coollyi
He sunk obsequiously down the stairs,
but at the hall-door resumed his usual
vain n-glorious air, ana, when he got out
side the gate, was the same pompous little
man that had entered.
When every room was empty, Florence
took the keys and went into the cashiers
office.
"Let the rooms" he said. "and credit
the firm with the amount"
''But what shall you dor"
'Oh! IL need very little; will put a
bed somewhere up in the attic here"
George, who was with the cashier, was
so overwhelmed by these sad words that
he precipitately left the room. Annie,
who was also there, laid hand on Flor
SLttS SuOuNtCT.
Il thank you, best of friends, in the
name of my father" she said gently.
lit is Of him l am thinking, all the
Time" he simply replied.
Tom entered at that moment with the
letters; Florence took them. opened them,
one after another, and then handed them
over 10 job
IAN order from Bristol, another from
Manchester" Suddenly he stopped.
Among the large business envelopes he
saw another. much smaller. sealed with
care. He recognized the writing at once.
In the corner was written, "Private," 1t
was from Sylvia. At the sight of it, he
felt exactly rs lac had done on entering
her room an hour previously.
All his love and all his anger did battle
within his heart. Why had she writtenl
What falSehood had she invcntcdl JIe he
gan to open the letter. then hcsitated. He
saw clearly that to read ii required more
courage and calmness than were then his.
"Job," he said, "will you do me fav-
orr"
willingly" answered the cashier, over
joyed at hearing once more kind word
from Florence.
"Look here. This is letter that can
not read now. am sure it would pre-
vent me from thinking and acting. Keep
1t for me. and take this. too.' and he drew
from his pocket u small package. careful
ly seales, and handed the two to job.
"lt is all that remains To me of the past !;
all that remains 10 me Of that woman.
am sdetermined rot TO seeher not 10 see