Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1895-05-04
CHAPTER XIII.

When Florence finds her way, ut the
expiration Of the hour, to Dora's room.
she discovers that fair little widow dis
solved in tears, and indeed sorely per-
picked and shamed. The sight of Flor
ence only seems to render her grief
more poignant, and when her cousin,
putting her arm round her, tries to con-
sole her, she only responds to the caress
by finging herself upon her knees, and
praying her TO forgive her.
And then the whole truth comes out.
All the petty, mean, underhand ac-
tions. all the cruel lies, all the carefully
spoken innuendoes, all the false re-
ports are brought into light and laid
bare 10 the Mortified eyes of Florence.
Dora'S confession Is thorough and
complete in every sense. Not in any
way does she seek 10 shield herself, or
palliate her own share in the deception
practiced upon the unconscious girl
now regarding her with looks Of amaze
ment and deep sorrow, but in bitter
silence.
When the wretched story is at An
end. and Dora, rising TO her feet: de-.
clares her intention of leaving England
forever, Miss Delmaine stands like one
turned into stone, and says no word
| either OF CtuSlIc vi TtRItt.
Dora, weeping violently. goes TO the
door. but, as her hand is raised TO open
it. the pressure upon the gentle heart
I'm a little gasping voice she bids her
stay.
Dora remains quite still, her eyes
| bent upon the floor, waiting TO ear
| her Cousins words Of just condemna-
| ton: expecting only 10 hear the scath-
ing words of scorn with which her cou-
sin will bid her begone from her sight
for evermore. But suddenly she feels
two soft arms close around her, and
Florence, bursting into tears, lays her
head upon her shoulder.
-Oh, Dora, how could You do i'll" she
falters, and that Is all. Never, either
then or afterward, does another sem
tence of reproach pass her lips; and
Dora, forgiven and taken back TO her
cousins friendship, endeavors earnest
" for the future To avoid such untruth-
full paths as had so nearly led her to
her ruin.
Sir Adrian, from the hour in which
his dearest hopes were realized, recov-
srs rapidly both his health and spirits;
and soon a double wedding takes place.
that makes pretty Ethel Yilliers Ethel
Ringwood and beautiful Florence Lady
D~ynecourt.
A winter spent abroad with his
charming bride completely restores Sir
Adrian to his former vigorous state,
and, when spring is browning all the
land with her fair flowers, he returns
to the castle with the intention of re-
naming there until the coming season
demands his presence IN town.
And now once again there is almost
the same party brought together at
Dynecourt. Old Lady FitzAlmont aud
Lady Gertrude are here again, II so
are Captain and Mrs, Ringw0od, both
the gayest of the gay. Dora Talbot Is
here too, somewhat chastened and sub
dued both in manner and expression. a
change 80 much for the better that she
6nds her list of lovers to be longer now
than In the days OF yore.
1t ID an exquisite, balmy day In April.
The is shining hotly without,
drinking up greedily the gentle shower
that fell half an hour ago. The guests,
who with their host and hostess have
been wandering idly through the
grounds, decide to 60 indoors.
1T was on a day like this, though In
autumn, that we first missed Sir Ad
rian," remarks some one in a half tone
c~onfidentially 10 some one else, but not
so low that the baronet could IN hear
1t.
@Yes," he says quickly, "and it was
] Just over there"-pointiig to q ciump