Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-02-08
AN ENGLISH VENDETTA

made out OF my brains, and I'll hear you."
Il don't understand this. Did you not
accept 5000 for your invention? In fact,
sir, / have seen letters of enthusiastic
gratitude which You addressed toSir Philip
at the time. DO you mean that they are
forgeriesf'
II didn't know the value OF my discov-
cry: yo r father did, and he bought for
that wretched sum an invention shat has
earned him halt a million. say that I'll
have no help from you, Frederick Stay
mer. II | eau hurt POUR father no other
way, I'll starve, and my death will avenge
me-
II cannot argue with this spirit, Mr..
Kelley, and, II you alone were concerned,
j should say no more. But you nave "a lit
tie daughter, | understand"
Don't think Of me, father. RI you took
a morscl Of dry bread from them, IL would
choke me"
Young Staymer turned in astOnishment;
he thought they two were alone in the
miserable room. Upright by the wtndow
stood a slender girl. whose large eyes
burned and thin lips quivered with pas
sionate excitement. lie crossed the mar
row floor. and seated himself on the small
bed beside her.
MY child he said, you are terribly
prejndiced against us. DO | look "a viii
LAIN
no" she answered, sullenly, "but you
came from your father"
''Ay.' cried the sick man, 'and 20 back
to him. Tell him what you've seen. Give
him my daughters answer: If we ooh
u morsel Of dry bread from you or yours
it would choke us"
Have you no kinder wordi" Frederick
asked the girl.
She did not answer.
Then I will leave You. Mr.. Kelley" he
said, rising. give thousar I pounds win
be deposited this afternoon at the Bank Of
England In your name and this young
lady's, If yon will give It me-to be hers in
case Of your death"
81 refuse The name"
"Well, probably | can do without IL.
Blu mark me, sir, this Is no restitution, no
acknowledgment ~ d cia;;i. ~. philip
gives 1t In remembrance Of his former AS
sOciation with yor. as u sign Of respect for
Your great abilities and your III success in
life"
And | throw IL back the dying man
cried, rising, gaunt and ragged, on his
mattress, eyes aflame and thin cheeks lit
with the glow Of fever. II throw il back
In his teeth-l wish IL were five thousand
pounds weight in gold! Have ] asked
anything from you or yours | scorn you
too deeply. | know You too well, and my
wrongs are too bitter. | accept no restitu-
ton In this world, Frederick Staymer, lest
is should be placed To your fathers credit
on high. and spare him one pang OF the
vengeance which IA just Heaven will exact.
Amen!'
Goodbye, little girl Yoi know my
name, and M address Is easily found al
ways. Remember that a fortune is watt
ing you at the Bank Of England from this
day. IL would be useless To say more to
you, Mr.. Kelley. but | wish you we'll"
When Staymer had gone the child came
across and kissed her father, nesting u
him, but they did not speak for a long
while.
~ have lone wrong, Amy"
"No, no.
"Aye, / have, pet. It's "a small thing for
q man TO be brave and firm when he is
doomed. But / should have thought of
my daughter, as he said. A fraction of the
sum which is my right would be comfort
and happiness to you. I've ruined your
life with my ~obstinacy."
Don't imagine such q thing, father.
What said TO the young man is truth
their money would choke mel'
"Ah! ] began the mischief long since.
Heaven forgive me! It's sad that a child
of your age should know the wickedness
of men and cherish bitter feelings. But
the money is there, safe in the Bank of
England. When I'm gone, darling, your
aunt will take You 10 claim it. | think
she's honest, but trust no lawyer-don't
trust her too far"
81 am tired, Amy. Kiss me now and let
me sleep till Jane comes. IL will be weari-
some 10 speak to her, and this excitement
has disturbed me terribly"
A long Hiss they exchanged. and the
girl left him. She withdrew TO her book
at the window and read till the light failed
then dropped asleep.
The opening of the door aroused her.
us that you, Aun Jane? Fathers doz-
Ing" she whispered.
II can feel my way" a voice replied;
"don't move" But the next moment a
cha fell with a crash.
Its nothing. father" Amy cried. Aunt
James come
Blu there was no answer, aud in breath
less uiuTLl sic STRUCK u uatcn.
The sick nan lay still. Amy ran TO him.
"Oh! Aunt, aunt, Gomez In the dark
ness they leaned over him.
MY poor little girl, he's out of his trou-
bles now" Mrs. Dermot said, with rough
tenderness. "Il be a mother to o 30
far as my poor means GO"
1t is needless to describe the scene. That
night Amy was taken 10 her aunt's lodg-
Ing, crowded with children already. Three
days afterwards she attended her fathers
funeral.
When Sir Philip Staymer heard his sons
report, softened though il was, he fell into
passion.
II gave you my word. Fred. and / don't
withdraw from il. There is the checkl
But l knew how il would be. Kelley is q
malignant fool, and always was. Did you
show him his own letter in answer to this
ravfngt'
He is in no condition to argue. It's
enough that our conscience is clear, Sir,
and that you can justify every part of your
conduct II summoned"
But I'm sorry you didn't read him the
letter which says that he had tried every
means to launch his invention and would
hand il over TO me ia toto for a thousand
pounds. With that offer before me. Fred,
/ gave the fellow five thousand, and now
he declares | swindled him"
II 10 the truth. but that was a rea-
son for not pressing it,"
"Well, take your check at once, or l may
repent-the ungrateful ASST
II have it safe, sir" Fred answered,
laughing. did you know Kelley had a
daughter"
~ know nothing about his affairs. How
old Is She"
very much too young to justify the
suspicion which / see in your look, sir. A
very pretty child of ZEN or ~thereabout, and
even more interesting than pref y. should
like TO feel that she was provided for, In
dependent of her father"