Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1895-03-02
The Haunted Chamber.
BY "THE DUCHESS
Ill.

CHAPTER Ill.
"You are late" says Arthur Dyne-
court in a low tone. There is no anger
in it,: there is indeed only a desire to
show how tedious have been the mo-
ments spent apart from her.
Have you brought your book. CT do
you mean to go through your part with
out it," Florence asks, disdaining to
notice his words. or to betray interest
in anything except the business that
has brought them together.
Il know my part by heart" he re-
spends. IN a strange voice.
Then begin she commands some
what imperiously: the very insolence of
l,er air only gives an additional touch
10 her extreme beauty and fires his
ardof.
You desire me to beginY' he asks
~unsteadily.
IF you wish t.
do YOU wish it,
II s,sire nothing more intensely than
10 get this rehearsal over" she replies
impatiently.
You take no pains indeed to hide
your scorn OF me- says D%ynecourt bit
terly.
Il regret it. ii | have at any time
treated YOU with inciyility.' returns
Florence with ayert"d eyes and with in
creasing cOldneSs. Yet | must always
think that. for Whatever has happened,
you have only Yourself TO blame
rs il a crime to love you?" he de-
mands boldly.
Sir, "she eXclaims Indignantly. and
raising her beautiful eyes to his for a
moment. II must request YOU will
never speak To me OF love. There is
neither sympathy nor common friend
illness between MS. You are we'll aware
with what sentiments | regard YOU
"But. why am ] alone TO be treated
with contemptf" he asks. with sudden
passion. All other men of your ac-
q%uaintance are graciously received by
you. arc met with smiles and kindly
words. Upon me alone your eyes rest,
when they deign To glance in my direc-
ton, with marked d~iSfavOr. All the
world can see il. | am Signaled out
from the others rs one 10 be sighted
and spurned.'
You forget yourself" SAYS Florence
contemptuously. Il have met YOU here
to-day 10 rehcdrse VA parts for next
Tuesday evening. not To listen Ia any
insolent words YOU may wish to address
to me. Let Us begin'-opening her
book. IF YOU know your part. 90 on
Il know my part only too well: il Is To
worship YOU madly. hopeleSsly. Your
very cruelty only serves to heighten my
passion. Florence. hear me-"
II will not she saws. her eyes flash
ing. She waves him back from her as
he endeayors to take her hand. rs il
not enough that ] have been perSecut-
ed by your NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. most
hateful 10 me-for the past year. bat
you must now obtrude them upon me
here: You compel me 10 tell YOU in
plain words what my manner must
have SHOWN NOu only too clearly that
YOU are distasteful 10 me in every way,
that your very presence troubles me.
that Your touch is abhorrent To me-"
All" he saws. stepping back as she
hurls these words al him. and regard
inc her with q face distorted by pas
sion, IF | were the MISTER here. in-
stead of the poor cOusin-if | were Sir
Adrian-your treatment OF me would
be very different
AT the mention of Sir .Adrian's name
the color dies out of her face and She
grows deadly pale. Her lips culver,
but her eyes do not drOop.
IL do not understand yOl," She says
proudly.
Then you shall responds Dyne-
court. DO YOU .hink | am blind. that
/ can not see how you have given Your
proud heart 10 my cousin. that he has
conquered where other men have
failed: that. even before he has de-
clared any love for you. YOU have, III
spite of Your pride. given all your af-
lection To him.
You insult me-" cries Florence with
quivering lips. She looks faint, and i,
trembling visibly. III this man ha,
read her heart Alright. may not al
guests have read ii tooy May not even
fof ~ a sbemgs im1wa0manryfr9
And more" goes on D%ynecourt. eX
hitting ia the torture he can see he j
inficting. though you thrust from yol
an honorable love for one that lives on
IN i'll your imagination, | will tell You
that Sir Adrian has other views, othel
intentions. | have reason To know
that, when he marrieS. the name OF hi
bride will not he Florence Delmaine.
Leave me. sir cries Florence, rous-
ing herself from her momentary weak
ness, and speaking with all her old fire
"and never. presume to address NE
again. CO."
She points with extended hand to the
door at the lower end of the gallery,
So standing, with her eyes strangely
bright. and her perfect figure drawn up
TO its fullest height, she looks superb
In her disdainful beauty.
Dynecourt, losing his self possession
as he gaZes upon her, suddenly filings
himself at her feet and catches her
dress in his hands to detain her.
Have pity on me-" he cries implor-
ingly: III is my unhappy love for You
/ thnt haS HriVAn mo ~ ataYE fnIIsf Nhy
is Adrian 10 have all, and | nothingg
He has title, lands, position-above
and beyond everything, the priceless
treasure of Your love, whilst ! am bank
rupt in all. Show me some mercy
some Kindness
They are both so agitated that they
fail TO hear the sound of approaching
footsteps.
Release me, sir" cries Florence I'M
periously.
NAY: first answer me one question:
entreats Dynecourt. DO you love my
cousiny'
Il care nothing for Sir Adrian re-
plies Florence distinctly, and in a
somewhat raised tone. her self-pride
being touched To the quick.
Two figures who have entered the
| gallery by the second door 1t the upper
| end of it. hearing these words uttered
in an emphatic tone. start and glance
at the tdbleoa presented to them view
lower down. They hesitate, and, even
as they do so. they can see Arthur
Dynecourt seize Florence Delmaine's
hand, and, apparently unrebuked, kiss
Ii passionately.
sThen l shall hope STILL" he SAYS in q
low but impressive voice. at which the
two who have just entered turn and
beat "A precipitate retreat, fearing that
they may be seen. One is Sir Adrian,
the other Mrs. Talbot.
Dear me-" Stammers Dora. in pretty
confusion. who would have thought
it, | was never SO amazed in my life"
Sir Adrian. who has turned very
pale, and Is looking greatly distressed,
makes no reply. He is repeating over
and over again To himself the words he
has just heard, as though unable and
unwilling 90 comprehend them. Il care
nothing for Sir Adrian They strike
like a knell upon his ears--a death
Euell IN al, his dearest homes And that