Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1894-02-24
A DOUBLE TREACHERY.
ADAprEn BY H. r
at would be an excellent speculation"
4

at would be an excellent speculation,
he said.
Flol cnec listened quietly. saying:
at would be coed thing for YOU
Then to a direct appeal TO which he
found IL difficult to saw No." Florence
took refuge behind Il will se,.--pcrliaps. '
and finally uttered the fatal words, IL
must see the estimates"
For eight days the old actoi had cal.
culated industIiously; had added up long
columns. seated between his wife and
daughter. who watched him admiringly
Throughout the house rang the imposing
words:
"Mr. We're Dc Lacy is going TO take q
theatrew
His friends at Rocklcy's and other the
atrical haunt saboutCovcut Garden. talked
only of his good luck. De Lacy frankly
stated that he had found '.a hacker" and
he was soon surrounded by crclo of ac-
tors without engagements. who whispered
in his ear. Bear inc in mind, old man"
lie promised everything that was asked
of him. dincd Mt the Albion, wrote his let
tiers, and made appointments with his
friends there; and already two needy
authors brought him grand dramas for his
opening night. lie said, "my theatre
and ordered his letters TO he addressed to
him, "Verc De Lacy, Esq. Sole Lessee and
Manager"
When he had composed his prospectus.
and made his estimates. he went 10 meet
Florence at the Vine. for his friend was too
busy to receive him during cfficc hours.
De Lacy reached the Vine first. installed
himself at their old table. called for two
glasses of beer. and waited. Florence did
not come; the actor took ont his papers
and read them over.
"Yes, it was a splendid thing; success
was certain"
Suddenly the door opened and Mr.
Chipp entered. He was as ANNOYED ant
surprised 10 see DE Lacy. rs De Lacy VII.
10 see him. lie had written to his son-in-
law tl.it morning, that he wished to have
long and serious conversation with him
and would meet him at the Vine.
The truth was, Mr. Chip had given III
the cottage at Hammersmith. and had
hired shop near yauxhall. Having done
all this. his courage forsook him, and lac
was very anxious 10 know low his daugh-
ter would look upon the natter. particu-
larly as the shop was more expensive than
the cottage, and would besides requip,
quite sum of money 10 be expended in
repairs before they could take possession.
Knowing by long experience his son-in-
laws good-natuie. Mr.. Chipp preferred to
make the disclosure To- him, and thus
leave TO Florence the responsibility oi
making the announcement To his wife oi
this domestic change.
Instead of Florence. il was De Lacy
whom he saw They looked at each other
like two dogs at the same platter. Each
under:to who it was that the other ex-
pected.
"Is not my son-in. law hcrc1" asked Mr..
Chipp. looking ut the papers spread out
upon the table. and emphasizing the words
"my SON in-law." az IL 10 indicate that
Florence belonged To him, aud to no one
else.
II am expecting him every minute,
"answered De Lacy coOlly. as he gathered
up his estimates. I'VE have important
business together" he added, in melo-
dramatic tone.
$50 have we.' answered Mr. Cbipp.
whose scanty hair began 10 hristle like
the quills of the celebrated and oft-quoted
fietful porcupinc. He in his turn, called
for two glasses Of beer, and drew up a
chair 10 the table.
Still Florence did not appear. and both
men grew very impatient. Each hoped
that the other would leave. At last their
ill-temper could no longer lie restrained,
and, naturally, il was their friend who was
attacked.
We're DE Lacy began first. II believe
the fellow is making game OF me-"
The fact is" said Mr.. Cbipp, and
~ Al IL. ls. Il 4 ~. A
whispered. Florence was mean, Florence
was selfish, as well as common sort Of
person.
They laughed at his accent and his
manners. But old Chipp went still further.
My son-in-law had better be cautious,
II he sends away his wife's father and
mother, he must guard her more careful
Is himself. You understand"
Certainly said DE Lacy. certainly,
I am told too that Sylvia is somewhat
reckless. But what can I've expectcdf A
man of that age-Hush! here he comes"
Florence made many excuses for his
hardness, but was evidently i'll at ease. He
could not leave home until late; his wife
lad guests. And, all the time that he was
speaking. the poor fellow was wondering
to which of the two men lie ought to listen
first.
De Lacy was generous.
"lou wish 10 talk with each other
gentlemen; do not let me disturb you
And then he whispered to Florence: 81
have the papers"
"Thc papers" said the other in amaze
ment.
''Yes; the estimates, you know
answered the actor. Thereupon, with a
great aftectation Of discretion, he turned
his back
The two others eonversed together a'
first in low voice, but finally Mr.. Chipp's
wrath could no longer be restrained. lie
did not mean TO lie buried alive. he said.
But what can you do with shopf
asked Florence timidly.
..What can i do with shop" repeated
Mr. Chipp. reddening. "lou forget. sir
l think, that / am merchant. and the
son of merchant. have no capital. it il
true. but whose fault is thatf Ii the per-
son who exiled me from London"
Here Florence enjoined silence. and only
disjointed sentences were now to be dis
tinguished.
"a most convenient shop-a lovely en-
terprise. &c.'
Al last, when Mr.. Chipp was exhausted
by his own energy. his son-in-law turned
towards De Ley with sigh. Old Chip
drew his chair closer. that he might jon
IN the conference. Seeing this. the actol
folded up his papers, and said in digni