Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-02-15

AA' W nav
ready to elope, IL needful, at a mo.
ment's notice. But this was an abstract
proposition. When Amy had brought the
together, and Louisa. frightened
to death, had given a trembling
consent, practical questions arose. Mark
was not prepared TO marry just then. He
had sunk all his mean available in Q
absolutely safe, and sure TO
give n large return. Blu for the moment
he was penniless.
Some men. Amy thought TO herself with
scorn, woulo axe a girl they loved just as
she stood. w-uld carry her 10 the Regis
oflh'e, and establish her I'm their
bachelor lodging without an i~nstant's
question that she would be happy there
and somehow Fred's image flashed across
her mind in thinking of such a man. But
young Thomas was m~ethodical, a slave to
responsibility: by that disposition, indeed,
confidence had been won. and
her love followed. The Registrars office
he could accept at a pinch, but the house,
the furniture, the decent surroundings OF
. bourgeois marriage. how could they be
dispensed WITH And Mark had no cash.
Moreover, he could think Of nobody who
would END and an accommodation bill was
no less than anathema- So matters stood
when Fred came home.
Amy knew her charge too well TO advise
discrimination. That effort would have
raised embarrassment to such a pitch that
she might have fallen i'll. Things were
bad enough already. The aunt gave q
vigorous reminder in the morning. with
the result that Louisa seemed almost idi-
otto when they met. Mrs. Anthony de-
clared to Fred that this was her manner
of showing delight, and, under the pecul-
lar circumstances. the explanation wss
not ac ually absurd. But ii could not be
accepted long, when from day TO day the
girl grew paler and her pretty forehead
creased more deeply with lines OF Devil
dered distress. Uncle and aunt urged
Fred TO propose and have done with il at
once; they guaranteed Louisa's joyful con.
sent, and they answered for the rest. Per.
picked and pififul, amused also, he would
not take that course.
On the third dag, when they CHANGED 10
be alone, he asked: Are you in my cous
ms confidence, Miss Dermot'"
Perfectly, Captain Staymer."
Then you know that our aunt has men
toned TO her a certain wish Of the family
with reference to her marriagey"
Il know"
"And what does she think"
'The family cares little what she thinks
but /"
Pardon me! Let us drop the family.
What were you going to say about your.
selfg'
Dropping the family, 1 say that your
conduct is brutal. You know the poor
child is weak, that she is mentally unable
70 resist, that she hates-hates the thought
Of marrying you, and"
Pardon me again. 1t Is unnecessary 70
go further. / nave the information !
sought. Now. Miss Dermot, | am not
conceited; on the contrary, | always bear
IN mind that | have still much TO learn,
and mich experience TO gather. At the
safne .!Be, a man Of my age cannot be I'M
aware that girls, in general, are rather
Pleased than otherwise to be In his com
pany. Hitherto have never tested their
regard TO the degree which the family has
done toward Louisa-resuming the family
just for a moment. / should like to knos
il you can tell me, where her objection
lies. Ii is a question purely selfish. but
not designed 10 satisfy mere curiosity. ]
wish 10 learn because the hint may be use
full at u future time"
II can't tell you, sir. Perhaps Louisa is
unreasonable, but dislike is not governed
by common sense"
''Oh-dislikel should be very sorry in.
deed to think that my poor little cousin
entertains such a strong feeling"
Il should not have said that. The word
escaped me. I believe that in her heart
She likes you very much, only-she does
.-rsaas yaa -r~-. ~- .~.~.~ ss Sus
question. Why notr"
Her hasty revolt against an inquiry
which seemed to be dictated by conceit-
though he denied twas checked by the
real feeling of his protest. Amy had an
inspiration.
Perhaps because she loves somebody
else"
"Ah, that is a comforting explanation.
Since you are in Louisa's confidence,
venture to disregard the perhaps Will
you tell me all about it,"
The inspiration still upheld her. Amy
told everything.
What a dull young prig! However,
know Mark Thomas well enough. He is
honest as daylight, and he'll make little
Loo happy. / am much obliged to you,
Miss Dermot! Leave the rest to me-"
But, Captain Staymer, you will not be-
tray their secret to your auntf'
Not il know 1t, by Jove!" he an
swered, laughing. "My excellent rela-
tives are so devoted to my interests that
they would cut me of with a shilling
all around IL they knew / was not follow
inn tho nruroa fhAy raanrnnnan6 10 npito
easy"
Mark had been away, making a last ef-
fort to borrow money without the formal
ity of q bill, against which his supersti.
tions protested. He came back in high
satisfaction, and discussed with immediate
interest the details Of his e~lopement-for
an elopement was obviously necessary.
Louisa had still two years to pass under
Mr.. Anthony's guardianship. and he would
never consent to her marriage with a mere
Thomas. Amy was very anxious to know
where he had found the cash, but among
this young fellows virtues the ability to
keep a secret was conspicuous.
One morning Louisa did not appear at
breakfast, and a letter singularly incoher-
ent gave the reason. Amy had made up
her mind to watch the effect. but at the
last moment her courage gave way. She
slipped from the before Mrs. Anth.
ony descended.
That lady's rage and stupor cauld not
be repressed before the servants, and Fred
took upon himself to order them away.
Its q dreadful business, Of course" he
said, but let rs keep it to ourselves
Confound that impudent young counter
jumperl But I suppose there's nothing we
can do. uncle. They're married by this
time"
Its Miss Dermot's doing. She shaD
leave the house this instant" cried Mrs
Anthony, pulling the bell handle with such
violence that 1t broke. I'm give her my
mind. I'll tell her what she Is. the low
born hussy."
please don't be violent with the girl"
"You take her part. Fred' She's been
practicing her tricks ON you, has she'
Thank Heaven, I can see plainly enough.
and I'll show her / can speak. Where are
those servants," She tugged at the bel
again, and, finding no resistance, snapped
the handle OF.
~ must tell you, aunt, that Miss Der
mot is not the one to blame" and he
frankly avowed his share In the transac'
ton.
Ten minutes afterward Fred left the
house. Mrs. Anthony had spent her widest
rage on him, and when Amy appeared she
expressed herself briefly.
"You think you have done q very fine
thing, Miss Dermot, Of cc--se; but we have