Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1895-02-23
The Haunted Chamber.
ny THE Duchess.

The same ceremony IN gone through
with some OF the others. but. when he
brings him 10 Mrs. Talbot. that pretty
widow interrupts his mode Of introduce
ton.
"Mr. Dynecourt and I are old
friends" she says. giving her hand to
the newcomer. Then. turning to her
cousin, she adds. Florence. is il not "A
fatality our meeting him SO often!'
Have we met so often:" asks Flor
ence quietly. hut with "a touch of hdu-
tetr and dislike in her tone. Then she
too gives "A cold little hand tn Mr.. Dyne-
court, who fingers over IL until she dis
painfully draws il away after which
he turns from her abruptly aud deyotes
himself to Dora Talbot.
The widow is glad Of his attentions.
He is handsome and well-bred, and for
the last half hour she has been feeling
slightly bored: so eager has been the
discussion about the NARROW matter.
that she has been little sought after by
the opposite sex. And now. once again.
the subject is being examined in all its
bearings. and the discussion wakes fast
and furious.
What is il all about" asks Arthur
Dynecourt presently, glancing at the
animated group i'm the middle Of the
room. And Sir Adrian. hearing his
question explains il to him.
All. indeed!' he says. And then,
after a scarcely perceptible pause
"Who is TO be Kate IIardcastle?
Miss Delmaine." answered Sir Adj
rian, who is still leaning over that
young lady's chair.
I'm what does the difficulty consist"
inquiries Arthur DynecOurt. with appar-
ent Indifference.
Well replies sir Adrian. laughing:
81 believe mere fear holds us back.
Miss Delmaine. as We all know. is "a
finished actress, and W. dread spelling
her performance by faults on our side.
None of us nave attempted the charac-
ter before: this is why We hesitate
a very sensible hesitation. | think"
says his cousin cOOlly. You should
thank me then for coming to your re-
lief this morning: ] have PLAYED the
part several times. and shall be delight
ed TO undertake il again. and help you
out Of your difficulty
At this Miss Delmaine Pushes angri-
". and opens her lips as if She would
say something. but. after IA seconds re-
Election. restraints herself. She sinks
back into her chair with a proud Ian
glor. and closes her mouth r~esolutely.
Sir Adrian is COMPOUNDED. All along
he had secretly hoped that, in the end.
this part would fall 10 his lot: but now
what is In be done How can he re-
fuse to Jet his cousin take his place.
especially as he has declared himself
familiar with the part.
Arthur. observing his cousins hesita-
tsn. laughs aloud. His is not a pleas
ant laugh. but has rather a Sneering
ing in 1t, and at the present moment
{ jars upon the ears of the listeners.
Elf ! have been indiscreet.' he SAYS.
with a slight glance AT Florence's
proud face. pray pardon me. | only
meant 10 render YOU 4 little assistance.
! thought understood from You that
YOU were in a dilemma. Do not dwell
upon my offer anhther moment. ] am
afraid | have made myself somewhat
officious-unintentionally. believe me-
My dear fellow, not at all declares
Sir Adrian hastily, shocked at his own
apparent want Of courtesy. i assure
YOU. you mistake. Ii is all SO much 10
the contrary. that | gracefully accept
your offer, and beg you viii he Mar
low
But really" begingS Arthur Dyne
court.
Not "A word" interrupts Sir Adrian:
and indeed by this time Arthur Dyne-
court has brought his cousin Ia believe
he is about to confer upon him a great
favor. Look here. young fellows Sir
Adrian goes on. walking toward the
other men, who are still arguing and
diSputing over the yeXed question.
I've settled il all for yolL. Here is my
cousin, he will take the difficulty of
your hands. and be a iirst-clasS NARROW
at the same time
A suppressed CONSERVATION follows
his announcement. Many aud dark
are the glances cast upon the new
conner, who receives them all with his
usual imperturbable smile. Rising, Ar
, thur approaches n OF the aStuniSheC
|. group who Is known TO him. and say
something upon the subject with
/ slight shrug Of his shoulders. AS lie il
Sir Adrian's cousin, every one feel
that it will be impossible To offer any
objection 10 his taking the much-covet
t ed part,
Won; | have renowned a very dear de.
sire all 10 please yon." says Sir Adrian
softly, bending down TO Florence.
Have succeeded!"
you have succeeded in displeasinQ
me than / can say" she returns
coldly. Then, seeing his amazed ex-
preston. she goes on hastily. Forgive
me. but | had hoped for another Mar
low"
She bushes prettily as she says this,
and an expression arises in her dark
eyes that moves his deeply. STOPPING
over her hand. he imprints a kiss upon
Ii. Dora Talbot. whose head is turned
aside, sees nothing of this, but Arthur
Dynecourt has observed the silent ca
ress. aud a dark frown gathers on his
brow.
CHAPTER III.
Every day and all day long there is
nothing but rehearsing. In every corner
two OF more may be seen studying to-
gether the parts they have to play.
Florence Delmaine alone refuses to re-
hearse her part except in full company,
though Mr.. Dynecourt has made many
attempts to induce her 10 favor him
with a private reading of those scenes
In which he and she must act together.
He had even appealed To Dora Talbot
to help him in this matter, which she
is only too willing 10 do. as she il