Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1895-01-05
mile after mlIe, and plungirs further ana

mile after miTe, and plungir2 further ana
further into the darkness.
About six o'clock In the morning they
drove into Falmouth, and pulle,! up the
steaming horse before the doer OF the best
inn. The travellers were evidently expected,
for there was q porter aud q groom sitting
up for them; and while the groom took pos
session Of the horse, johnson himself con.
Quoted Annie 70 her room and left her at the
door.
"You have only a few hours for rest" he
said; 1--WE must catch the eleven o'clock boat
for Portsmouth"
Left TO herself, Annie threw of her cloak
and bat, and looked round the room. Ii was
a pretty chamber, much gfsnder than any
thing she had ever been accustomed to be-
fore. There were dainty hangings to the
bed, and pretty dimity curtains to the win
dows. Moreover, there was a cheerful fire
burning in the CRATE. Beside the hearth
there was q large, comfortable-looking easy
chair, into which she threw herself.
She had not closed her eyes for two nights,
and was utterly weary both In mind and
body; and as her head fell back upon the
soft cushions of the chair, she fell into a
sound sleep.
Inv " w - iOuh W liNZ aN
the door. She started up; II was broad day
light, the fire was out and the room looked
cold and cherries. She opened the door,
and found the chamber maid, standing out
side with a jug OF hot water In her hand.
ats ten o'clock, miss" said the girl. ''rhe
gentleman says yon shall have your break
fast here In a quarter of an hour"
Dazed and half s.upehed, Annie took the
4,., frAv. tlaa a.rtfa h.nla .nI I..g-. Al
bedroom door again, began to arrange her
self for the day.
At the end Of the fifteen minutes, the
chamber-maid returned with the breakfast,
temptingly arranged on n tray a few min
utes later Johnson made his appearance. In
stead of standing at the door as the chamber
maid had done, he entered the room and
closed the door behind him.
"All readyY'' he began, cheerlully. That's
all right" Then his quick eye fell upon the
bed and the breakfast, and he gave a pecu-
liar whistle. Come, this won't do" he
said; mo sleep and no food, you'll wear
yourself out, my DEAR
These words, spoken rather kindly, touch
ed Annie's heart, and she began 10 cry.
II can't go on, Mr.. Johnson" she said. Il
know my coming away has been a mistake.
! should like to go back again.
After his first surprise was over, johnson
pointed out ~ her the utter impracticability of
any such attempt: and, after a good deal
more crying, Annie saw the force of his argu-
ment and yielded. Yes; the fatal step had
been taken-it was too late 10 think OF re-
turning now: the only thing TO do now was
to make the best OF matters and go right on.
So Annie again put on her cloak and bonnet
and announced herself ready 10 go.
You had better put on q veil, > said the
practical johnson. I'VE may be seen, and
that would be awkward for Inc. Haven't
got one. Well, upon my word, you are q
little singleton; but We must make the best
OF IL, ! suppose. Here, take my arm and
hang your head a bit; well get on board as
quick as possible, and perhaps will escape
scot-free."
They passed down the stairs, entered a
closed cab which stood ct the door and were
rapidly driven away.