Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-07-03
CuAprER LII.

Mrs. Presty waited in the garden to be
joined by her daughter and Capt. Benny
deck, and waited in vain. 1t was past her
grandchild'S bedtime; she decided GA re-
turning to the house.
suppose we look for them in the sitting
room?' Kitty proposed.
suppose we wait a moment before we go
in|' her wise grandmother advised. IF |
hear them talking, | shall take you upstairs
to bed"
"Why?'
because W. mustn't interrupt Them
"Whl?'
Mrs. Presty favored Kitty with a hint, re-
lating 10 the management of inQuisitive
children, which might prove useful TO her in
after life. "When you grow up to be Il wo-
man, my dear. beware of making the mis-
take that I have just committed. Never be
foolish enough to mention your reasons when
a child asks why
"Nas that how they treated yOu, grand
mamma, when you were a child yoursell?'
'Ot course ii was"
"Why?"
They had reached the %slttlngroom door
by this time. Kitty opened il without ccre-
mony and looked in. The room was empty.
Having conided her granddaughter TO the
n0rsenwid'5 care, Mrs. Presty knocked at
Catheri.y's bedrooin door. MAY | come
mp
Come in directly! Where is Kitty?'
'Susan is putting her TO he'd"
stop it! Kitty mustn't 20 TO bed. No
questions! III explain myself when you
come back" There was q wiidnoss i'm her
eyes, and a tone OF angry command in her
voice, which warned her mother TO set dig
nit aside and submit.
81 don't ask what has happened" Mrs.
Presty resumed on her return. "Ihat let
ter, that fatal letter to the captain, has jus
titled my worst fears. What in heavens
name are we to do nuW|'
I'VE are 10 leave this hotel" was the in
slant reply.
"Whcn?'
"~To.night."
Catherine! DO you knew what time it
is?'
Time enough TO pack up and catch the
last train to London. Don't raise objections!
Ii stay at thu place, with associations in
every part of it which remind me of that
unhappy man, shall 20 mad! The shock |
have suffered, the misery, the humiliation
! tell YOU it's more than | can bear. Stay
here by Yourself if you like; ! mean TO go"
''il' IIi'Ah VIII libllA't ldIlulll up anu
down the room. Mrs. Presty took the only
way by which it was possible to calm her.
Compose yourself, Catherine, and all that
you wish shall be done. iii settle every
thing with the landlord and give the maid
her orders; SIT down by the open window,
let the wind blow over you
The railway service from Sydenham TO
London is a late service. At a few minutes
before midnight they were in time for the
last train. When they left the station Cath
crime was calm enough to communicate her
plans for the futarc. The nearest hotel to
the terminus would offer them accOmmoda-
ton for that night. On the next day they
could find some quiet place in the country
no matter where, 50 long as they were not
disturbed. Give mc rest and peace, and
my mind will be easier" Catherine said.
'Lct nobody know where TO find me-"
These conditions were strictly Observed
with an exception la favor of Mr.. Sarra2in.
Whine his clients pecuniary affairs were
still unsettled the lawyer had his claim to be
taken into her confidence.
The next morning found Capt. B%ennydcck
still keeping his rooms at S~ydenham. Tho
state of his mind presented a complete con
trast to the state OF GATHERINGS mind. so
far from sharing her aversion to the pcl-
sonal associations which were connected
with the hotel, he found his one consolation
in visiting the scene, which reminded him
Of the beloved woman whom he had lost.
The reason for this was not far TO seek. His
was the largest nature and his had been the
most devoted love.
As usual his letters were forwarded tc him
| from his p'npl nI ynginGn.n i'm INnlnn
Those addressed in handwiitimgs that he
knew We're the first that he read. The others
lie took out with him to that sequestered
part of the garden IN which he had passed
the happicst hours Of his life by GATHERINGS
side.
lie had been t~hinbing Of her all the morn
ing; he was thanking Of her now
His unopened correspondence offered 4
harmless occupation TO his thoughts, in the
meanwhile. One after another he read the
letters with al attention constantly wander
ing and constantly recalled, until he opened
the last of them that remained. In u mo-
ment more his interest was absorbed. The
first sentences in the letter told him that the
deserted creature whom he had met in the
garden-the stranger to whom he had offered
help and consolation in the present and in
the future--was no other than the lost girl Of
whoip he had been so long In search; the
daughter OF Roderick Westerheld, once his
dearest and oldest friend.
IN the pages that followed TIE writer cou-
fidcd to him her sad story leaving 1t 10 her
fathers friend to decide whether she was
worthy Of the sympathy which he had Of
fered to her when he thought she was a
stranger.
This part Of her letter was necessarily a
repetition Of what Bennydeck had read IN
the confession which Catherine had address
ed 10 him. That generous woman had been
guilty OF one, and but one, concealment of
the truth. In relating the circumstance
under which the ~clopemcnt from Mount
M0Iyen had taken pace, she had a~bstained,
in justice to the sincerity Of Sydney's re-
pentanrc, from mentioning Sydney's name.
Another instance the captain thought
bitterly o. he closed the letter, ''Of the vir.
tues which might have made the happiness
o. ny itte!"
But he was bound 10 rCincmDcr and he
did remember-that there vas now q new
interest t.uderly associating itself with his
life to ON The one best way of telling
Sydney how, dear she was TO him already
for her flthcr's sake, would be to answer
her in person. lie hurried away to London
by the first train, and drove at once to Ran.
dals place of abode to ask for ~Sydney's adj
dress.
Wondering what had become Of the post
script to his letter, which had given Benny
deck the information OF which he was nov
in search, Randall complied With his friends
request, and then yentured to allude to tn,
report of the captains marriage engagement
Am | 20 congratulate you|' he asked.
Congratulate me on having discovered
R0derick Westerlicld's daughter"
That reply, and the tone in which it wa.
given, led Randall to ask il the engagement,
had been prematurely announced.
There is no engagement at all,'' Benny
deck answered, with a look which suggested
that it might be wise not TO dwell on the
subject