Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1894-03-24
A DOUBLE TREACHERY.
ADArrxn ny u n

A DOUBLE TREACHERY.
| ADArTEn ny u n
uer present surroundings hastcned her
ruin. In London she was compelled to
pay some respect TO appearances. but IN this
retreat. she was as it were. utterly alone.
A pistol shot in house near. the mclan-
cioly ending OF an intrigue as silly as it
was disgiaecful, only caused her 10 smile
and 10 long for .adycnturcs." The days
ON which she was rot to bc seen going or
coming from London. she passed in Also
lutte incidence, wrapped in white dress
ing-gown. never occupying herself in the
least with the management OF her house.
The servants robbed her. Int she knew
nothing of il. Little by little shc lost all
ambition. she descended To her former
shop-g girl level and even below il. From
the respectable mercantile circle 60 which
her marriage had raised her. she fell to
the position Of the women sine saw about
her She initiated them in her dress and
hor manners. cut her hair short over her
forehead like sky terrier, and for two
months fouiishcd as n decided blonde,
greatly to Florcnce's establishment. who
looked as if he had changed his doll
These freaks amused George. and II
was he who was the real master Of the
house.
To amuse Sylvia he had procured FOR
her some scmblauce Of society, some bach
elor friends, hut no women; women have
too quick eyes. Madame Zola was the only
lady who crossed Sylvia's threshold.
Picnics, dinners. and water-raities were
arranged. Every day Florence's position
became more ridiculous. more humiliating.
When he came home at night, tired. heat
ed. badly dressed, he must so at once and
dress for dinner
"Make haste" his wife would say" lie
oheyed her miunctions. coming in gcncr-
ally after the soup Fad been sent away.
The guests he hardly knew; they were
Georges friends. who had come to talk
business. This magic word "business'
explained and justified everything in
Florence's eyes. Georges constant pres
ence. the choice Of the guests. and Syl-
Was exquisite toilettcs. were all in the IN
terests of the great firm with which il was
his pride and JOY to he connected.
George. however, watched Syiyla's in
credsing coque:iy and reckle~sucss with
growing d,irust and uncasiness. lie
ioade his appearance almost daily OF her
house. fearing 90 leave his altful and un-
piincipled nature too much 10 her own de
vices.
"where is your husband. Annici' ler
grandfather would say. why does he
not cornc here oitcuerf
Annie made excuses for George. but she
herself. had at last hoguu 10 grow very
uneasy The tears would come into her
eyes when she received the short notes
with which her husband announced his
/ detention in town.
.'Do not expect me tonight or to-mor-
row. Perhaps the day after, | can get
away"
She dincd sadly. opposite vacant chair.
aud felt without knowing the worst. that
her husband was drifting away from her.
He was absent and ont Of spirits when he
was compelled 10 appear al uaklands. A.
Annie now hardly saw or heard anything
Of Sylvia, She was perfectly ignorant of
what went on AZ Richmond; and when
/ George hurried away, her eyes followed
| him. vainly trying 10 discover the secret
that drew him 50 constantly from herself
and her child.
Her husband was 10 happier than she.
| for sylvia. seemed 10 take pcrverSe
pleasure in to,menting him. She fiited
right and left. One Benedstti, al Italian
tenor. introduced 10y madame Zola, went
20 sing with her every day. George be-
gan to think that Florence did not take
sufficient care of his wife.
! If Sylvia had been Mrs. Speed. George
! thought he could have kept her in better
order AS il was. he had no right 10 con-
| troll her. and she would not hear word
| from him. Sometimes. too. with that in
vincble logic that makes itself felt even
/ l.. a. l. 4 IA ,t.t h.. ...I
| her husband. so might she deceive him in
! his turn.
He spent his time in going from jeweler
/ 10 jeweller, TO procure some novelty, some
! surprise How well he knew her, after
/ all. He realized that he could only retain
| her affection, such as IL was, so long as he
coult ainuse her.
AS vet, however, that day had not ar
rived She was living the life that exact
| L. suited her. enjoying all the happiness
she was capable Of feeling. In her love
for George there fingered no element Of
passion or romance. He was merely
second husband. younger. and above all,
| richer than the other. Just before Franks
arrival. startled by some whispers that
| reached her ear she established her pa
rents at Richmond. near 10 her; and with
father willfully blind. and a mother ten
derly unsuspicious, she gave herself an
air Of responsibility of the advantages of
which she was beginning TO he conscious.
Everything was thus arranged To her
| satisfaction when Frank Florence sudden
| ly appeared upon the scene, and she saw
at once that her reposc was threatened
and that war was Ia he declared between
them. Her plan was formed instantly,
and the time had now arrived TO put it in
| TO action.
The summer house they entered was a
circular room with windows on four sides.
! 1t was furnished for those sultry days
when the heat Of the garlen would b. un-
endurable. large divan ran round the
whole wall. and small japanese table oc-
cupied the center. covered with novels
and papers.
The walls were delicately fiescoed, and
the design, birds among pink and white
| roses. looked like u dream OF summer;
| The windows were shaded with masses Of
| jessamine and Virginia creeper, 80 that
! the interior was delightfully."- cool and dark
the sound Of water. the river caressing
the shores with gentle ripple added to
| the charm.
Sylvia threw herself carelessly ON the
diyan, the soft folds of her white drnpeiy
| floating like sea-foam about her. Her
head was slightly bent forward, and she
| looked up at Frank with eyes that were
openly rebellious, almost threatening in
| expression.
| Frank stood erect and very pale.
.Accept my congratulations. madame"
he said as he looked about him. "Your
taste IS indeed irreproacnable." Then he
added iiekly, as ii afraid 10 allow the
conversation 10 wander from the point 10
which he wished To lead it: Towhom are
you indebted for all this luxury; to your
| nuspanu or your iover!
without moving, and without even
turning her eyes away Sylvia answered:
10 both"
He was utterly Disconnected by this un-
expected eooiness.
"You admit, then, that George Speed"
81 admit nothing"
| Frank looked at herj and notwithstand-
| ing her calmness she was fiightfully pale.
and her eternal little smile no longer hov-
cred about her lips.
"Listen To me Sylvia. My brothers
name. the name he gave 10 his wife, is
mine also. William is hliEd ard indulgent
--and just for that reason It becomes my
duty To defend him from the consequences
OF your attacks upon his happiness and
honor. Therefore bid you tell Mir.
Speed not TO enter these doors again; II he
does.
.sIf 4, l.. C..t. a..