Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1894-04-28

"Where are we going7" che asked.
Florence did not answer. She had only.
time 10 throw over her uncovered neck q
light tulle scarf, which she caught from
table as she passed. Her husband
dragged or rather pushed her down fhe
narrow staircase.
"We are here, he said. as they entered
Office. "Having stolen, we have come now
TO restore our booty. Here, Dcnman, you
can raise the necessary sum with this
trash
And with movement Of contempt and
loathing, he tossed on the cashiers desk
the mass Of feminine spoils with which he
was laden.
Then turning TO his wife, he sternly
said:
"rhose jewels, madam, and hurry if you
please
She, with the utmost calmness and with
a lingering. caressing touch, loosened the
clasps Of her necklace and bracelets,
where the initial Of her name, ''s," looked
like slumbering serpent. Florence, out
Of patience, broke the frail chains, and
the jewels fell in glitteiing heap.
Il must do my part cried her husband
feverishly. "Where is my pocket-bookf
Have l anything elsei All! my watch
and chain. Now, job. we have much to
do; as soon as the day breaks. all these
things must be disposed of in time to meet
our payments. i know man who wants
TO buy the house, so that is quickly set
tied"
Ho spoke and moved az il insane Job
and Mrs. George looked at him in silence.
As to Sylvia, she seemed turned TO stone
once only did she move, and then in an
unconscious way, only to draw more closely
round her shoulders the tulle scarf; the
air from the door, open into the garden,
made her shiver. Did she hear the music
from the ball room. Was she thinking Of
the strange contrast of the two apart
mentsf A heavy hand on her arm arous-
ed her from her torpor, and Florence,
drew her towards Annie.
"On your knees
Mrs. Speed drew back.
mo, no not thatw she said,in dismayed
entreaty.
ut must be- answered Florence. stern
ly; "she shall implore your forgiveness.
On her knees, madam" and he compelled
Sylvia to fall on the ground at Annie's feet.
Repeat after me just what l say: Mrs.
Speed"
Sylvia, half paralyzed with fear, whis-
pered, MRS. Speed"
If life of humility, of submission"
IF life of humil-- No. will not :"
she cried, and, bounding to her feet like
wild animal, she shook off Florence's
grasp, and rushed through the open door
into the darkness Of the night, through
the wind and the snow.
"Stop her." cried Annie. in an agony
"Mr Florence-Job-I inplore you. Do
not let her go in that way"
job moved to obey her, but Florence
pulled him back
"Let her CO. he said ste,nly; II forbid
you to follow her!-I beg your pardon.
Mrs. Speed, but we have more important
matters than that on hand. To your
books, Denman; We have much TO do"
Job extended his hand.
''You are an honest man, Florence; for
give my suspicious"
Florence did not seem to hear these
words, but turned at once to the books to
make memorandum Of the certificates Of
stocks, and an estimate of the value of
the jewels, guided by Denman, whose
father had been a lapidary.
All this time Annie had been standing
at the window. watching the garden
walks, where Sylvia's footprints were al
ready nearly efiaced and the dancing still
continued. Which Of the guests imagined
that the mistress Of the house with rage
and despair in her heart was flying
through the streets of London. homeless
and forsakeni
Where was she goingl Her first idea
was TO find Benedetti. whom, after all, she
had not dared 10 ask 10 the ball but he
lived at Kilburn, and II was too far to go
in hn htsnCG hn Ch oh
got Her parents would receive her,
without doubt; but she was in no mood 10
listen to Mrs. Chipp's sobs and lamenta-
tions. Then she remembered De Lacy
In this utter downfall of all her splendor.
she remembered the old actor, who had
first taught her to dance. TO move, TO hold
her fan, and who had been the first TO en-
courage her vanity by his openly
pressed admiration. She took one Of the
cabs that stood by the garden gate, and
ordered the coachman to drive 10 We're de
Lacy's lodgings.
For some time Mrs. De Lacy had earned
a scanty pittance by braiding straw. but
her husband continued to grow stout,
while she, day by day, faded away to
mere shadow. He had just taken the
cover of bowl Of soup, when a knock
was heard at the door. The actor, who
had returned from the representation of
thrilling dIama at the "Vic.", started as he
heard this summons in the middle OF the
night.
who is there 7" he asked, in startled
tone.
1T is Sylvia! Open. quickw
She entered with a shiver, took o seat
in front of the stove, and poured ont her
rage and indignation in torrent of words,
and voice that was subdued only on ac-
count of Mrs De Lacy who was asleep in
the next room.
The luxury of her dress, the simmer
ing silk and delicate lace, offered strange
contrast to this dingy room, these piles Of
straw.
In the fearful dramas of real life, all
ranks and stations are mingled.
mo, shall never go back there again ;
AIN free at last'
"But who could have denounced YOU to
your husbandi"
have believed no one else. Besides let
ter came last night from Egypt. The idea
of his compelling me to kneel to that wo-
man! But will revenge myself"
And faint smile curved her pale lips.
est. Notwithstanding his compassion for
.that poor devil Florence" and for Sylvia
herself, whom he called in theatrical par
lance 1.-The fiail beauty" he could not pre-
vent himself from looking at the whole
affair from a dramatic point of view, and
suddenly cried out
..What situation for fifth act'
She did not hear him; absorbed in
thoughts of revenge, she had drawn closer
TO the fire, and mechanically took of her
satin shoes to empty the snow with which
they were filed,
.And now what are you going to dor
asked De Lacy.
.Ren,ain here until morning, and then
we shall see."
IL have no bed to offer you, my poor
child"
Never mind; can sleep in that arm
chair. l am not particular"
The actor sighed.
"Ah, yes. that arm-chair-it was poor
Dora's; many time has she sat in il all
night when work pressed. Well, well!
Those who are taken away are better of
than those that are left"
Just then DE Lacy caught sight Of his
bowl Of soup. and remembered with grief
that it must be stone-cold by that time.
Sylvia saw his tragic start.
"But you were about to sup; don't let
me disturb you."
"lt is part of my regular life" con-
tinued the actor; "a fixed hour for my
meals IL impossible in my profession; I
must eat when and how / can. i know