Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-02-13


humanity 10 suffer and submit.
In mercy TO the woinen Linley summoned
the courage 10 part them. lie turned to his
wife first.
Il may say, Catherine, that she has your
good wishes for happier days to Gomez
Mrs. LiDley pressed his hand.
He approached Sydney and gave his wife's
message. Ii was In his heart To add some
thing equally kind on his own part. He could
only say what we have all said--how sin
cerely, how sorfowfully, we all know the
common word ''good-by THE eommo
wish God bless you!"
At that last moment the child ran into the
room In search OF her mother.
There was a low murmur Of horror at the
sight Of her. That innocent heart, they had
all hoped, might have been spared the misery
of the parting scene!
She saw that Sydney had her hat and cloak
on. You're dressed to 20 out. > she said.
Sydney turned away to hide her face. Ii was
too late: Kitty had seen the tears. "Ui, my
darling, you're not going away She look
ed at her father and mother. is she going
awayy' They were afraid to answer her.
With all her little strength she clasped her
beloved friend and playfelIow round the
"o'Rh ~ w W. E'h INV -Offr ~
leave me!' The dumb misery ia ~Sydney's
face struck Iinley with horror. lie placed
Kitty IN her mothers arms. The clild's pit.
eoHs cry: "Oh don't let her go. don't let
her go" followed the goyemess as she suf-
fered her marty rdom and wen out. Linley's
heart aehed: he watched her until she was
lost TO view. Comet" he murmured TO him
se%lf-''gone foreyerv
Mrs. Presty heard him, aud answered him:
shell come back again!'
As the year advanced. the servants at
Mount MoryeR remarked that the weeks
seemed to follow each other more slowly
than usual. In the higher regions Of the
house the same impression was prevalent;
but the sense OF dullness among the gentle
folks submitted to circumstances in silence.
Ii the question had been asked IL past
days: Who Is the brightest and happiest
member OF the family? everybody would have
said: Kitty. II the question had been ask
ed at the present time, differences Of opinion
might have suggested different answers-but
the whole household would have RETAINED
without hesitation from mentioning the
child's name.
Since Sydney Westerield's departure Kitty
had never held up pr head.
Time quoted the chlld's first vehement
outbreaks of distress under the loss OF the
companion whom she had so dearly loved.
Delicate management, gently yet reSolutely
applied, held the faithful little creature in
check when she tried to discover the cause Of
her governess' Punishment from the house.
She made no more complaints: she asked no
more embarrassing questions; but ii was mis-
erably plain 10 everybody about her that She
failed 10 recover her spirits. She was will
ing 10 learn her lessons mot under another
goyernesst when her mother was able to at
tend 10 her; She played with her toys and
went out riding on her pony. But the de
iiglttgl gayety OF other days was gone the
sirill laughter that once rams through the
house was heard no more. Kitty had become
a quiet child; and, worse still, a child who
seemed TO be easily tired.
The doctor was consulted.
lie was u man skilled in the sound medical
practice that learns its lesson without books
bedside practice. His opinion declared
that the child's vital power was seriously
lowered. Some cause is at work here he
said 10 the mother, (which | don't under.
stand. Can you help me?' Mis-. Linley
helped him withou. hesitation. MY little
daughter dearly loved her goyemess: and her
governess has been obliged TO cave u.s.
That was her reply. The doctor wanted TO
hear no more: he at once advised that Kitty
should be taken to the seaside, and that
everything which might remind her of the
absent i~reDd-nooks, presents, even articles
of clothing likely TO revive old associations
should be lett at home. A new life, in rev
air. When pen, ink, and paper were offered
Tn him that NNns fhA IoafnY'S lrasarinflnn
Mrs. Linley consulted her husband on the
choice of the seaside place 10 which the child
should be removed.
The blank which Sydney's departure left
IN the life Of the household was felt by the
master and mistress OF Mount Moryen-and
felt, u~nhappily, without n open ayowal on
either side OF what was passing ia their
minds. In this way the goyerness became a
forbidden subject between them; the hus-
band waited for the wife to set the example
OF approaching il, and the wife waited for
the husband. The trial IF temper produced
by this state of hesitation, and by the secret
doubts which il encouraged. led ~inseDsibly
to a certain estrangement-whicl Linley in
particular was morbidly UNIV lllng 10 ac-
knowledge. II, when the dinner hour brought
them together, he was silent and dull in his
wlfe's presence, he attributed ii TO anxiety
on the subject OF his bF0ther-then absent Oh
a serious business errand in London. Ii he
sometimes left the house the first thing in
the morning and only returned at night. it
was because the management OF the o
farm had become one OF his duties in Ran
dal's absence. Mrs. Linley made 10 attempt
to dispute this view of the altered circum-
stances in home life--but she submitted with
4 mind iil at ease. Secretly fearing that
Linley was suffering under Miss Westertield's
absence, she allowed herself to hope that
kitty's father would see q necessity, IN his
own case, for change Of scene and wonld ac-
company them to the seaside.
Won't you cone with us, Herbert!' she
suggested. when they had both agreed on the
choice OF a place.
His temper was in q state of constant irri-
tation. Without meaning il, he answered
her harmless question sharply.
How can | go away with you when we
are losing by the farm, and when there is no
body to check the ruinous expenses but my
self?"
Mrs. Linley's thoughts naturally turned TO
Randals prolonged absence. What can be
keeping him all this time in London?' she
said.
Linley's failing patience suffered a severe
trial.
Don't you know" he broke out. that I
have inherited my poor mothers property In
England, saddled with a lawsuit? Have you
never heard of delays and disappointments,
and bubbles and false pretenses, encounter
ed by unfortunate wretches like me who are
obliged to go to law? God only knows when
fsatttiai viii 90 tree az tet,ttn, vi ri,as s,s.:
news he may bring with him when he does
come back
You have many anyieties, Herbert; and
l ought To have remembered theni.'
That gentle answer touched him. lie made
the best apology IN his power; he said his
nerves were opt vi order, and asked her to
excuse him II he had spoken roughly. There
was no unfriendiy feeling on either side, and
yet there was something wanting in the re
Cancellation. Mrs. Linley left her husband,
shaken by a conflict Of feelings. At one mo-
ment she felt angry with herself.
With the best intentions tas usual Mrs
Presty made mischief. nevertheless. Observ,
ing that her daughter was In tears, and feel.
ing sincerely distressed by the discovery. she
was eager to administer consolation. MAKE
your mind easy, ny dear, IL YOU have any
doubt about Herbertss movements when he
Is away from home. l followed him myself
the day before yesterday when he went out.
A long walk for an 0Ll wanau-h hat can