Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-05-01

Ell; she saw, more and more clearly, the cir
cumstances which associated her situation
| with the situation of the poor girl who had
| closed her wasted life among the nuns in the
French convent.
Two results followed on this state Of
things.
When Herbert asked to what part of En-
gland they should go, on leaving London,
she mentioned Sandyseal as a place that she
had heard of and felt some curiosity to see.
The same day-bent on pleasing her; care
less where he lived now, at home or abroad
he wrote TO engage rooms at the hotel.
A time followed, during which they were
obliged to wait until rooms were free. In
this interval, brooding over the melancholy
absence of friend or relative in whom she
could contde, her morbid dread of the future
decided her on completing her parallel be-
tween herself and that other lost creature OF
whom she had read. Sydney opened COM
munication anonymously with the Benedic-
tine community at Sandyseal.
She addressed the mother superior, telling
the truth about herself, with but one con-
cealment, the concealment of names. She
revealed her isolated position among her fell
low-creatures; she declared her fervent de-
sire 10 repent of her wickedness and TO lead
q religious life; she acknowledged her mis-
fortune in having been brought up by per-
sons careless of religion, and she confessed
To having attended a protestant place OF wor-
ship as Il mere matter of form connected
with the duties OF teacher at school. The
religion of any Christian woman who will
help me to be more like herself" she wrote,
sis the religion TO which 1 I'm willing and
eager to belong. II | come TO you in my dis
tress will you receive meY' To that simple
appeal she added a request that an answer
might be addressed 10 rs. W., postoifice,
Sandyseal."
When Capt. Bennydeck and Sydney West
erfeld passed each other as strangers in the
hall of the hotel that letter had been posted
in London a week since.
The servant showed "Mr. and Mrs. Her
bert" into their sitting-room and begged that
they would be so good as to wait few min
utes while the other rooms were being pre-
pared for them.
Sydney seated herself in silence. She was
thinking of her letter and wondering wheth-
er a reply was waiting for her at the post
office.
Moving toward the window to look at the
view, Herbert paused TO examine some prints
hanging on the walls, which were superior
as works of art to the customary decorations
of a room at a hotel. If he had gone straight
TO the window he might have seen his di-
vorced wife, his child, and his wife's mother
getting into the carriage which took them to
the railway station.
Come, Sydney" he said, 'and look at the
sea-"
She Joined him YEARLY, with a faint smile.
1t was a calm, sunny day. Bathing-machlnes
were on the beach, children were playing
here and there, and white sails of pleasure
boats were visible In the ofling. The dull
ness of S~andyseal wore a quiet, homely as
pect which was pleasant to the eyes of
strangers. Sydney said, absently: ~ think
l shall like the place" And Herbert added:
Let MS hope that the air will make you
stronger" He meant 1t, and said it kindly
but, instead of looking at her while he
spoke, he continued to look at the view. A
woman sure OF her position would not have
allowed this triting circumstance, even If
she had observed II, to disturb her. Sydney
thought of the day In London when he had
persisted in looking out at the street, and re-
TUNED In silence to her chair.
Had he been so unfortunate as to offend
her? And in what way? AS that doubt oc-
CURED to Herbert his mind turned to Cath
crime. She never took otfense at %trifies; Il
word Of kindness from him, no matter how
uninportant 1t might be, always claimed af-
fecti0nate acknowledgment In the days when
he was living with his wife. In another mo-
ment he had dismissed that remembrance
and could trust himself to return to Sydney.
IF you find that Sandyseal confirms your
first impression" he said, 'let me know 1t in
time, 80 that l may make arrangements for
a longer stay. l have only taken the rooms
here for a fortnight"
"rhank you, Herbert; | think a fortnight
will be long enough"
Long enough for you?' he asked.
Her morbid sensitiveness mistoOk him
again; she fancied there was an undernote
of irony in his tone.
Long enough for both Of us" she replied.
He drew a chair to her side. "Do you take
1t for granted" he said, smiling, THAT l shall
get tired Of the place first?"
She shrank, poor creature, even from his
smile. There was, she thought, something
c0ntemptuous in the good-humor OF IL.
I'VE have been to many places" she re-
minded him, land we have got tired of them
together"
rs that my fault?'
ii didn't say it was"
He got up and approached the bell. ~
think the journey has a little overtired YOU"
he resumed. would you like to go to your
rOom?'
II will go to my room If you wish IT,"
He waited a little and answered her as
quietly as ever. "What | really wish,' he
said, lis that we had consulted doctor while
we were in London. You seem 10 be very
easily lrritated of late. | observe n change
in you which l willingly attributed to the
state of your health
She interrupted him. "NNhat change do
you mean?"
ITS quite possible l may be mistaken,
Sydney. But | have more than once, as |
think, seen something In your manne which
suggested that you distrust me-"
81 distrust the evil life we are leading"
she burst out, land | see the end of it com
ing! Oh, l don't blame you. You are kind
and considerable, you do your best to hide it,
but you have lived long enough with me to
regret the woman whom you have lost. You
begin to feel the sacrifice you have made,
and no wonder. Say the word, Herbert, and
l release YOU"
81 will never say the word!'
She hesitated-first inclined, then afraid.
to believe him. 81 have grace enough left
in me" she went on, Ito feel the bitterest
repentance for the wrong that | have done
Mrs. Llnley. When 1t ends, as II must end,
In our parting, will you ask your wife"
Even his patience began to fail him; he re-
fused-firnly, not angrily-to hear more.
'She Is no longer my wife," he said.
Sydney's bitterness md Sydney's penitence
were mingled, as opposite emotions only can
be mingled in q woman's breast. "Will you
ask your wife to forgive your" she persisted.
After we have been divorced at her petit.
ton" He pointed to the window as he said
1t. Look at the sea. If / was drowning
out out Wonder on l might as well ai'S the Sc" to for
He produced no effect OH her. She ignor
ed the divorce; her passionate remorse as
serted itself as ~obstinately as ever. MRS.
Linley is a good woman" she insisted. MRS.
Linley Is q Christian woman"
IL have lost all claim on her-even the
claim to remember her virtues" he answer
ed, sternly. mo more CT 1t, Sydney! I an
sorry l have disappointed you; | am sorry n II
you are weary of me-"
Her manner changed completely in q mo
ment. "Wound me as cruelty as you please
sue said, hurnbly; II will try to bear It,"
Il wouldn't wound you for the world
Why do you persist In distressing me? VIII,
do you feel suspicion of ME which have no
deseryedg' He stopped and held out hi.