Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-01-23
The Evil Genius.
BY wH.KiE

BY Wk.klE COBLlNS.
The instant a".srw q, h. = ~ Ky
the appearance o.. =. ligure cl.lersing into the
moonlight from the farther end of the shrub
berry and rapidly approaching him. He was
near enough 10 see that II was the figure of q
woman. Wa 1t one OF the female servants
hurrying back 10 the house after al inter
view with a sweetheart? In his black even
ing dress he was, in al probability, complete
~ hidden by the deep shadow in which he
stood. Would he be less likely TO irightcn
the woman IL he called TO her than If he al
lowed her 10 come close up 20 him in the
dark?? lie decided on calling IN her.
Who is out so latep' he asked.
A cry OF alarm answered him. The figure
stood still for q moment, aud then tuned
back as if TO escape him by flight.
Don't be frightened he said. Surely
you know my voice?'
The figure stood still again. He showed
himself In the moonlight, and discovered
Sydney Westerield.
Your he exclaimed.
She trembled; the words In which she an
sHered him were words in fragments.
The garden was 50 quiet and pretty-l
Thought there would be no. harm-p!ease let
me go back-l'm afraid ! shall be shut out"
She tried to pass him. MY poor child"
he said, what is there to be frightened
about? i have been tempted ont by the love
ly night. like you. Take my arm. 1t is so
close in here among the trees. II we 20 back
" the lawn the air will come to you freely"
She took his arm; he could feel her heart
~throbbmg against IT, Kindly silent, he led
her back to the open space. Some garden
chains Were placed here and there; he sug-
gested tina; she shouid rest for awhile.
I'm AFRAID ! shall be shut out" she re-
peated. Pray let me get back"
He Yielded at once to the wish that she ex-
pressed. "You must let me take you back"
he exclaimed. They are all asleep at the
house by this time. No! no. don't be fright
ened again. | have got the key Of the door.
The moment / nave opened il you shall go In
by yourself"
She looked at him gratefully. You are
not offended with me now, tIr. L;nley." she
said. ''Yoc are like your kind self again"
They assembled the steps which led to the
door. Linley took the key from his pocket.
II acted perfectly in drawing back the lock,
but the door, when he pushed ii, resisted
him. He put his shoulder against IL, and ex-
erted his strength, helped Dy his weight. The
dOor remained immovable.
Had one OF the SeTvants-sitting up later
than usual after the party, and not aware
that Mr.. Linley had gone into the garden
noticed the door. and carefully fastened the
bolts on the inner side? That was exactly
what had happened.
There was nothing for it but 10 submit 20
circumstances Linley led the way down
the steps again. I've are shut out" he said.
Sydney listened in silent dlsmay. lie
seemed &c be merely amused he treated their
common misfortune rs lightly as ii il had
been a joke.
There's nothing so very terrible in our
situation" he reminded her. The sery-
ants Offices will be opened between 6 ard Z
O'clock; the weather is perfect; and the sum-
mer house in the French garden has one
easy-chair in il to my certain knowledge, in
which you may rest and sleep. I'm sure you
must be tired-let me take you there"
She drew back and looked up at the house.
Cant we make them hear us?' she asked.
Quite impossible. Besides lie was
shout to remind her OF the evil construction
which might be placed on their appearance
together, returning from the garden al an
advanced hour of the night; but her innocence
! pleaded with him 10 be silent. lie only said
~ ~ forget that we ali sleep at the top OF
our old castle. There Is no knOcker 10 the
door and 10 bell that rings up stairs. Come
to the Summer house. In an hour or two
more we shall see The sun rise"
She took his arm In silence. They reached
the French garden without another word
having passed between them.
The summer house had been designed, In
harmony with the French taste OF the last
century, from a classical model. 1t was a
rough copy ia wood OF the temple OF Vesta
at Roae. Opening tie door for his compan-
Ion, Lialey paused before he followed her in.
A girl brought up by d careful mother would
have understood and appreciated his hesita-
ton: sle would have concealed any little
feeling of embarrassment that might have
troubled her al the mOaent, and would have
asked him TO come back and let her know
when the rising of the sun began. Neglect
ed By her mother, worse than neglected by
her aunt, Sydney's fearless ignorance pat q
question which would have lowered the poor
girl cruelty in the estimation of a stranger.
Are you going to leave Inc here by myself?'
she asked. Why don't yod come in?'
Lihiey thought of his visit 10 the school,
and remembered the detestable mistress. He
excused Sydney; he felt fOr her. She held
the door open Tor hi.n. Sure OF himself, he
entered the sel!Ger house.
As 4 marx of respect On her part, She Of
feTed the armchair 10 him; IL was the one
comfortable seat ia the neglected place. He
Insisted that she should take 1t: and, search
ing the summer house, found & wooden stool
for himself. The small circuiRr room re-
ceived but little OF the dim outer light they
we're near each other-they were silent. sgd
ney burst suddenly into a nervous little
laugh.
Why do you laugh% he asked, good-hu-
uorediy.
ut seems so strange NJ. Linley, for us 70
be out here In the moment when she
made that reply her merrinent vanished; she
looked out sadly, through the open door, at
the stiffness of the night. What should l
have done" she wondered, "if l had been
shut oat OF the house by myself?' Her eyes
rested on him tiinidly; there was some
thought in her which she shrank from sx-
pressing. She only said: II wish 1 knew
hcw 10 be worthy OF Jour kindness"
Her voice warned hiia that she was strug.
cling with strcns emotion. In one respect
m.en are al alike; t,ey hate TO see a woman
In tears. L!n.ey treated ner IKE q emit, i,e
smiled, and patted her on the shoulder.
Nonsense y he said. gayly. There Is nc
merit III being kind TO my good little govern
ess."
Sac took that comforting hand-it was a
harmless impulse that she was unable to ne
sist-she bent over it and kissed II gratefully.
He drew MS hand away from her as II tie
soft touch OF her lips had been hre that burn
ed 1t. ''Oa,' she cried. have l done wrongyS'
No, my dear-io, no."
There wa an embaffassn Int In his man
ner, the inevitable result OF his fear OF hinl-
self X lie faltcfed in the iesolute exercise OF
self-Iestraint which WAS perfectly ~incoinpre
henslt!e to Sydney. lie moved his seat back
a little, SD as to place himself farther away.
Something in that action, at that time, shock
ed and Inundated her. Completely misun-
Outstanding him, she thought he wasfemind'
Ing her Of the distance that separated them
In social rank. Oh, the shame Of it! the
shame vi it! Would other g~overnesses have
taken q liberty with their MASTER A fit oil
hystsrical sobbing burst its way through heI
las. reserves Of self-control; she started tc
her feet and ran out OF the umnIer house.
Alarmed and distressed, he followed heI
instantly.
She war leaning again,t TIC pedestal oil q
statue Ia the garden, paDsing, shnddering.
sight To touch The heart Of a far less sensitive
man than the man who now approached her