Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-07-24

"hiA@ AC HIohfs HIS IOiilpiilDn MAO pen
ed her travelling bag, taking out a flask OF
sdu|de-C Cologne, and dropped some On her
handkerchief, which she applied TO bel
forehead.
ABR she said, lit is "A little betterr'
She raised her eyes TO his with a smile, a
polite smile. You are really very good
10 take all this trouble for me: It is more
than | could expect! You need not exhaust
yourself in persuasion; ! really do not dis
like Mr.. Waring; on the contrary, he is ev-
IDENTITY malleable, and by no means bad
looking-rather young perhaps, but that is
q fault which corrects itself. had ne idea
he thought Of throwing the handkerchief
10 me! | am much obliged for your warn
ing not TO scare a shy bird! II il not al
ways that a man is gifted with a figure a.
well as a fortune"
She spoke with languid composure,
keeping her eyes on his.
IL am very glad you take so sensible a
view Of my suggestion, - he returned, with
slight suppressed surprise: "as to looks,
that is a matter Of taste; | do not admire
the 'prize-fighter' style myself; but War
ing is quite six or seven years older thar
you are! assure you it is a relief 10 my
mind that you deign TO accept my counsel,
and do not snub me for meddling.n
THAT would be n bad return for your
disinterested friendship. ! do not think
many people would imagine you capable
OF so quixotic m effort 10 succor a damsel
in distressl You do not do yourself JUS
tice, Captain Lisle' Now, do tell me
something OF your own plans, for | recip-
rocate n friendly interest, | Assure YOU"
tfAfv ptar,u - Ia -a,.afoT -, IgNu1..
aud less steady tone. Il Y are simple
enough. Ny uncle, General Forester, has
promised me an appointment on his staff.
It may keep me in India the best part of
ny life; but | shall have leave of absence
from time TO time, and SO keep in touch
with civilization"
That will be delightful! And you real
ly have known commonplace money trou-
bles like other peoples
Yes; very decidedly yes"
He was feeling curiously displaced from
his position Of superior firmness and world
~ knowledge. The unexpected accept
ance Of his suggestion by this fair gentle
creature, who was barely nineteen, threw
him of his balance.
Then | hope they are over forever, . she
remarked, in a kindly tone. You must
pick up q Begun in India. Yet, no! |
should not Ike To be less bountiful than
you arel | would give you a pretty, as
we'll "a; a wealthy wife. Mr.. Wartnz Is
handsome, or rather he will develop into a
handsome man. think you nave chosen
we'll
81 lid not choose at all. l simply did
my best TO induce you not to throw away a
COOL chance. Are you seriouss | do not
quite understand you. Mona"
She raised a warning finger playfully.
~, | am not, according to you, TO keep
my uane much longer, pray let me hear il
always, it is far prettier than Waring-
Mis- Joscelyn, il You please"
she had grown quite animated: a faint
color replaced her extreme pallor; her
large eyes sparkled: she dominated the
conversation. Captain Isle watched her
closely; her manner was quite natural,
while bis lost the curt decision which char
acteriZed il at first. She questioned him
az to how many horses Waring could keep,
as to where they should live-said she was
glad he was not encountered with landed
estates, as she would like to ramble about,
and much more TO the same effect, half in
Jest. At length he looked at his watch.
In ten minutes l must say goodbye"
he said. II get out at the next station,
and wait FOX the four-fifty train to Gales
ford
What o long tiresome waltz You really
haye sacrificed yourself to friendship"
IL have,n he returned, emphatically. II
wonder if you exactly appreciate the sacri-
flee
II do, indeed"
"Mav l not call and learn from your W
lips now you are going on;"
You sye it is q little uncertain where
you may find us. fear they do not allow
visitors at the work-house, which may be
our destination, IL Mr.. Warning has not the
goodness 10 charge himself with our sup
port
at Is too bad that these wealthy new
men get the pick Of everything! All! here
we are. Do you know, il is awfully hard
to say goodbye; I really feel a little muir
derous towards Warning"
"Bewarel I have taken him under my
protection"
1T is not goodbye, however; l will see
you in ten days or a fortnight. Till then,
addtot'
He pressed her hand close, she withdrew
~ III hNA1C hASNt- ~ nCAt ItoAiChs hS was
standing on the platform, yet another, and
the train was again in motion. Miss Cliff
ford kissed her hand with a saucy smile as
she passed out Of sight. The only other
passenger who alighted gave up his ticket,
and Isle was left to pace the damp gravel
and think over the conversation he had
Just held.
Il am well cut of it." was his first
Thought; bat she took my advice rather
differently from what Iexpected. Ifancied
we would have had high-iown sentiment,
perhaps tears and despair. | suspect / do
not quite understand my fair friend. How
beautifully fair she is. l did not dream
she had so much pluck. BY Jove! she
turned my flank by her ready acceptance
of my suggestion; but | fancy it was q
tremendous blow, for all that! She was
growing fond of mel know it, l feel it
and l never was SO near making q fool OF
myself about any oma as about Mona
Clifford; but ii would not dol Matrimony
is a hideous institution. Even Mona's fne
eyes. and general charm (she is charmingl
would lose their effect in a few years-per
haps In q few months. and i might be Q
brute, or she would tbiak me one. Any
how, / did not make my early start this
morning for nothing"
Meanwhile Mona was carried deeper and
deeper into the gloom of the fast-closina
October evening. Alone-unwatched, she
set loose the reins Of her ~self-control. and
yielded to the storm of shame and despair
which rent her soul.
. She had indeed grown fond" OF Isle.
after months Of frequent intercourse, dur
ing which he had sought her with so much
carefully veiled assiduity-and won hei
Nconhdence by a happy assumption OF elder
trotherly authority, flecked with CLEANS
z passionate admiration, which seemed u
&ash ont in spite Of himself. and were real
enough. Now behold. the time Of trial
kame. and he was eager TO hand her over
another. How eouli she have been -