Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1894-03-17
CHAPTER XIII.

nau come 10 the quiet factory. unaDIc II
keep away from the model Of his beloved
invention. and was there met by Tom with
the news Of Frank arrival. He started
of to the youths old quarters. little
vexed that he had not been informed ia
advance by letter. and. above all. tha,
he had not gone on to Richmond imme-
diately upon reaching London. This vex-
alton he az once expressed TO his brother
who alleged as his excuse his great IA
tigue, and also "A certain pleasure he h;
in again occupying their old room.
IL understand all that" interrupted
Florence; "but then, you are now going
home with n;c. Won't Sylvia DC sur
prisedl We SO often talk of you, and re-
gret that you are so far away"
And the good fellow overwhelmed with
Joy. became silent. and looked with adj
miring eyes at the well-grown. broad
shouldered man, who had left him mere
STRIPPING. While Florence was thus oceu-
pied. Frank in his turn, examined the
gentle, serious and contemplative face Of
his brother.
NO il is impossible" he said TO him.
self. "He is the soul Of honor, as he al
ways was"
Then remembering all the unworthy
suspicious Of the people about him, his
anger concentrated upon that vain woman
who deceived her husband so grossly that
she gave the world the right to look upon
him as her accomplice. What terrible
explanation he should have with her,-
How sternly he would speak to her. no
subterfuges. but the plain unvarnished
truth should come from his lip-.
He thought of all this a. they went
their way that lovely Sunday morning.
The train was crowded. William sat op-
posite him. and talked without stopping.
He spoke of the manufactoly, and of the
fortunes they were making; and how.
when his invention was perfected, their
profits should he quadrupled.
But" said Frank uneasily. "are you
quite sure of the success of your inven-
tionir
"Sure! OF course I am sure. i will
show You all my plans, and next week,
under my own eyes. my machine will be
begun. In three months | shall have Oh
tanned my patent, and my invention will
lie at work. You will see, my boy, how
the money Will pour in. and how happy
shall be to have it in my power to repay
to young Speed little of the kindness
lavished on me by his uncle!'
Then he began to talk Of his domestic
happiness. Sylvia was the hest Of wives.
They had happy home, and had gathered
a small but cheerful circle about them
His wife sang like a nightingale. thanks
to her teacher, Madame Zola, a charming
little Frenchwoman. In fact. he had but
one annoyance, one vexation, in the world |;
and that was an inexplicable coolness that
had arisen between himself and old Job.
Frank. perhaps, would assist him in clear
ing up the mystery.
Certainly | will,' answered Frank,
through his close-shut teeth; for he grew
hot with rage that anyone should venture
TO suspect disgrace under such ehild-like
fiankress.
As they drew near Richmond. Frank
perceived IA small house built like mini
ature castle. all tuirets and towers. The
clear crystal panes of the windows We're
shaded by rose -colored curtains; and on
the green lawn glistened huge metal
ball rejecting the landscape round The
river ran very near, and flock of pleas
ure boats lay at the little wharf From
her windows Sylvia could see the crowds
of holiday makers in the park. The grass
was worn and yellow under their feet. and
the whole aspect of the spot was vulgar.
Sylvia. IA cockney in all her ideas, was
delighted with it, for she had always
heard Richmond spoken Of as the most
desirable of all suburban places in which
to reside. for the late trains made IT pos
siblc TO go to town every evening and re-
turn after the theater. Little Chipp"
had heard this from childhood. and Sylvia
Florence was determined to fulfil all Of
..little Chipp's" dreams.
The two brothers let themselves in ut
the garden-gate. They passed the billiard
room a few yards away from the house,
and the tiny conservatory; the whole
place looking ike ehild's toy that could
be taken to pieces and packed in box !;
so light and airy. it seemed as if . puff
Of wind would blow it away.
Frank looked about him. The long
French windows opening on 10 wide We
randall gave him full view of the intc-
rior. A low American rocking chair.
table with coffec-equipage upon it. and a
cane-seatcd sofa stood upon the veran.
dah. piano was heard from within.
"Sylvia will be rather astonished," said
her husband, as they walked up the
gravel path; ..she does not expect me un-
til tonight, and is practising with Mad
anne Zola."
Just as he reached the door he called
out loudly: "Who do you think / have
brought to see youf
Madame Zola started up. while George
and Sylvia sppeared suddenly on the
threshold Of the boudoir.
How you frightened mer she cried,
running TO meet her husband.
The RULES and tiounces of her white
morning dress. with its bows and floating
ends of blue ribbons, rustled and tiuttered
as she moved. Already recovered from
her brief embarrassment, she said TO
Fraak, with her cverready little smile,
"Welcome. my brother!'
Florence left her TO greet him, and
turned to George, whom he was somewhat
surprised to see.
"Why, George. you here! thought
you were at 0aklandsi"
..fes, bnt l wanted to see you. and
supposed You would be here to-day" stam-
mered the young man.
Sylvia disappeared, and Madame Zola
continued at the piano. the half-sublued
tones of which resemblcd the music which
on the stage ncraius or accompanies crit
ical situations.
Florence, with his customary good-hu-
NOR apologised to his partner. and took
Frank ON tour Of inspection over the
house. They went from the drawing
room to the stables and conservatory; all
was new and bright, bat cramped and in
convenient.
"Bui~ aid Florence, with certain
PRIDE. .nst an enormous sum Of money"
He insisted upon showing his brother
everything gas and hot water. on each
nocr. electric bells, and miniature billiard
table; and all this with constant reference
to his young partner, who, by taking him
into the firm. had opened TO him such u
brilliant future.
AT each new effasion Of Florence's,
George Speed felt his very brow burn
under the peculiar expression Of Franks
eyes.
At luncheon, Madame Zola was almost
the only one who spoke. knowing, or
rather believing she knew, the entire his
tory Of her friend and hostess, she thought
she understood Franks sulky anger; an
old lover, furious ut being replaced
Georges evident anxiety sho attributed
10 the unexpected appearance Of rival.
and il all appeared quite natural to the
intriguing singing -mistress. She looked
first at one and then at the other with an
encouraging smile, and admired Sylvia's
conposuie, reSorving her contempt and
disdain for sthat old Florence. the abon,.