Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1895-01-19
CHAPTER XXXIy.

tASi LII
In a strange, bewildered state OF mind |
left Redruth House, but, instead OF e ng
straight back to the cottage, | took a turn
across the moor; | knew il | returned To the
cottage In my present state OF agitation |
should betTay myself. | must think matters
over and come 70 some definite decision as 10
my movements In the future. There was no
time to be lost; in two days the wedding
would take place-therefore my course Of
action must be mapped out.
The tone which Redruth had chosen to
adopt rather non-plused me; for never for
one moment did 1 take INTO consideration
the fact that he might deny all knowledge
OF my cousin; yet now l saw that by 50 do
ing he gained considerable advantage. He
had called upon me to prove tile truth of my
statement; how could 1 do so? For myself,
] had been willing enough to accept Annle's
version Of the story as the true one, but it
seemed that that was not enough. For proofs
how could / obtain them? johnson, the
prime mover in the affair, was dead; Of the
man who performed the marriage g. Gemony
Annie had no knowledge whateye-; and
even had il been otherwise, Ii would lave
taken time TO discover him: and | had no
time, since the marriage was TO take place
in two days. Yes; it was clear that my story
must rely for its acceptance upon the word
OF my cousin: and If he chose TO proceed and
dispute that word, it was equally clear 1t
could not be s~ubstantiated.
The next thing to be considered was my
next m~ove-what that ought To be, | could
MT determine; the fact that / must keep all
knowledge from my uncle bound me hand
and foot II l denounced Redruth publicly,
and made an open scandal, the whole truth
would be revealed TO my uncle, and / posi-.
lively trembled at the thought OF what he
might be tempted to do. walked thus pom
derlng for hours, finally feeling somewhat
calmer, but, having arrived at no definite
conclusion as TO my future plans. | returned
to the cottage. My uncle, aunt and Annie
were all tllere-moreover, there was honest
John Rudd ~partaking Of my III tea aud
hot baked scenes.
1T be loikc avid times to see Measter
Hugh amang us agen," said he. as | took my
seat at the board; reckon you'll be stayin'
nav till after the weddin'."
replied that since II was to take place 50
soon, l most certainly should.
"Ab, then you'll ha' some O. the funr' he
continued: '.there'll be rare gawins ON. /
reckon. They tell me there'll be u tent put
mp on the fields and a dinner given to all the
miners. BE that true, Mr.. Pendragony'
"Mawst likely" returned my uncle. Il
knaw nought o. that; but one thing be GER
tain-the young measter, he be q gavin
down the mine wi me tomorrow 20 see to
things, and put matters right afore he gang
away"
Listening to this, I inwardly thanked God
that my uncle knew nothing of the real char
acter Of young Redruth.
During all this time, poor Annie had been
moving about busily attending to the table;
but l saw that what she did was lone more
TO cover her agitation than from any real
necessity. Now and again, placing herself
IN the shadow, she tried TO read my face-in
vain. When they spoke of the wedding, her
eyes filled with tears, and her hands trem.
bled violently.
l tried to avoid being alone with her that
night, for l dreaded to tell her what had
taken place; but she was over-anxious, and
would not let the night pass. When the
house was quiet, all OF us having gone 10 our
rooms. there came q gentle tap at my bed
room door. Then the door opened, very
quietly and ~steaIthily, and Annie herself APP
peared.
"Ilugh." she whispered, ''are You In bedY'
i answered Mo- and she came in, closing
the door behind her. She was partially un-
dressed, and had a large cloak wrapped
round her. Her beautiful hair was loosened.
and foil In a heavy mass upon her shoulders;
her face was very pale, and her eyes were
Sill wet with tears. She came up to where
l sat ON the side OF the bod, and looked at
me-, stretching forth a trembling hand, which
/ took IN mlne.
=
.1Don't cry, Annie; don't cryr' I said.
HE IL . scoundrel. He Is not worth one Of
those tears You must forget hint,
Forget himy' she sobbed. "Ah, Hugh.
my poor Annief, l said, i~nvoluntariIv.
Sne seemed to understand all that INV tons
implied, for, with a pitiful sob, she AM
J down crying at my feet