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


IL could do nothing with my grandfath-
err" she said sadly.
George grew fiightfully pale.
IL am rnined--I am ruined!" she said
over and over again.
His sleepless nights, his anxiety of
mind, and terrible scene that he had had
with Sylvia, who persisted in giving this
ball al this time. this unexpected refusal
on the part Of Mr. Gray, ali combined TO
prostrate him. He had fiightful nerv-
Gus attack, and Annie gently and compass
sionately persuaded him 10 go 10 bed, and
installed herself at his side. She tried TO
speak TO him as usual, but her voice
lacked it's wonted tenderness. The very
way in which she arranged his pillows.
and poured out his medicine, betrayed a
change, coldness, that her husband felt.
IL have ruined you." said George, more
than once. IA il 10 disturb this coldness,
which he felt keenly. She only replied by
gesture, which seemed 10 say, "That is
tiife."
At last he fell asleep, and she sat near,
watching him. ut is my duty" she said.
Her duty There she sat hour after hour,
by the side Of the being whom che had so
blindly worshipped.
The ball above h.d begun. and the CELL
Ing was shaken by the rapid steps of the
dancers, and the half-ssi, half-merry
strains Of the German dance music fell on
the ears Of the melancholy wife below.
Annie was buried in thought. She knew
that the weary logic Of life was immuta-
BILE. She did not ask herself why this
man had so deceived her, nor yet why
for q mere caprice no had thrown away
happiness and honor. Sufficient for her
was the fact that he had done 20. 1t WAS
not the past that occupied her thoughts
II was the future
A new life, dark and severe, full of pri-
walton and toll, slowly unrolled itself be-
fore her heavy eyes; but. strangely
enough. this future did not terrify her
What task would be hers. the care OF
three children; her mother, her child, and
her husband; for both mother and hus-
band were children. The longer she
dwelt on the responsibilities that would be
hers the less she thought Of her own sor-
rows, and the better she understood the
full meaning Of the word sacrifice; word
no vague from Indifferent lips, so full ot
solemnity when il becomes the rule Of life
These were poor Annie's reflections in
that dimly-lighted room, whose single
taper, like spark fallen from the bril-
liant chandelier above, had attracted Flor
ence's attention. Reassured by Toms
words, he determined TO steal quietly into
the house, and avoiding his guests, go to
bed and sleep, II possible. To do this he
was obliged TO enter by his Office, TO make
use Of a private staircase. He passed
through two or three Of the large rooms.
The pale moon, now occasionally emerg-
ing from the clouds, shone titfully through
the unshaded windows. A strong smell
Of oil and vsrnish fingered there, and the
huge rolls Of paper cleaned white like
shrouded ghosts.
Suddenly he caught sight of ray OF
light under the door Of the cashiers office.
Could old Job be still at work at one
o'clock in the morningf II was very ex-
traordinaryl Could burglar have effect.
ed an entrancei At this last idea Flor
ence moving with great caution, softly
opened the door, and WAS inclined to re-
treat as softly.
Since Florence's inexplicable break with
job, he had carefully avoided being alone
with him. His wounded pride prevented
him from asking an explanation of the sim
gular coldness that had so deeply wound
ed him. But this evening Florence was
80 happy and so hopeful that he felt dis
posed to mako some advances TO his old
Friend.
The cashier was seated at his desk, a
pile of books in front of him, and more on
the floor by his side. Florence went to
the grating.
"Job," he said, in a gentle tone.
The old man looked up, and tears, the
FIRST he had shed since he was boy, stood
IN his eyes.
"You are in trouble, job. What is the
matter2"
And Florence held out his hand, but
Job drew back hastily. The movement
was so sudden. and evidently so instinct
I've. that Florences sympathy changed to
Indignation.
Il offered you my hand. Job Denman,"
he said drawing himself up.
"And refused to give you mine," an
swered Job, rising.
A long silence ensued, neither of the
!wo men spoke; the distant music Of the
ballroom came in gusts, as it were, of
melody.
"Why do you reject my hand y at last
asked Florence, slowly and sternly, the
ron grating against which he leaned
shaking with the violence Of the mans re-
pressed emotion.
"Whyl Because you have ruined this
honorable house; because in a few hours
4 messenger will come from the bank. and,
standing just where you stand, will pre-
sent TO me bills, which, thanks TO you,
cannot pay!"
Florence stood utterly bewildered.
IL ruined the housed IT.
"Yes; you, sir; ard worse than that
you have ruined it through your wife, and
have arranged between yourselves tc
profit by our disgrace. understand your
game, The money out of which your wife
has cajoled George Speed. her diamonds
the villa at Richmond, all stand IN hel
name, out OF reach of all danger. and you
will easily manage to evade all the habili
ties"
Florence's lips parted, as if to speak
all his features contracted with an ex'
preston Of anguish. he swayed heavily
forward. dragging with him the iron graf
inc, and fell on the floor. He did not ut
terly lose consciousness; probably the
blood that streamed from a wound on hi'
head relieved the pressure on his brain
job helped him to the low bench where
the workmen sat on payday, looseneC
his cravat and bathed his temples. Wher
Florence at last opened his eyes, he saw
Mrs. George, who had been summoned 10y
Job. leaning over him.
"Is it true; is it trucr said the pool
fellow. as con as he could speak.
Annie could not answer and turned
away sadly.
"Then," he continued, '.it is true that
the firm is ruined, and through met"
mo, my dear old friend, not through
you!"
"Then through nv wifei All, that is
terrible, and that is the way have paid
my debt Of gratitude! But you, Mrs
George, you have not really believed me
an accomplice in such villainyr
mo, my friend. BE calm; know yol
TO be one of the most honest men in the
worldw
He looked at her for a moment, his lipl
trembling and his clasped hands extend
ed imploringly. for all his ways and ex
pressions were singularly simple ant
child-like.
( TO think" he murmured, "that hav,
brought the misforunes upon your
Suddenly he rose.
1--WE must not waste our time in thi.
way he cried; must settle up my ac
counts!'
Mrs. Speed was terrified, for she thought
he meant that he must see George, and
she cried in an agonized tone: "Williamv
He turned; looking at her he under
stood her fears.
"Be at ease, madam; your husband may
sleep TRANQUILITY; have something to at
tend to of more importance than my i'm
paired honor. Wait for me, will be bach