The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1897-05-29
The Evil Genius.
a DOMESTIC STORY.
by wILK1E COLLINS.

II lantai sAratil from the lr,e which
Illus presented Itself hlrf. Ia r..atIaus
with his aro:9.ei, ahti II lis tloualits reverted
"a Sydney WcstcrileId. 9th / .casons for an
pre!ieilsion found their way into his mind.
lie had promised to do his best toward per.
s1lhdtng Catherine to grant Sydney an inter.
view, To perform tiat promise appeared to
be . s'mn'y impossible. Under the eXas-
l~t.'tins influence OF Il disappointment for
which he was not prepared, it was hard to
say VIVA: act OF imprudcnce Sydney might
not commit. Even the chance o. successful
ly conflicting her to B~cInydeck's protection
had lost something of its fair promise since
Rtidal's visit to S ydenham. That the cap.
tain would welcome his friends daughter as
~atiectionately as if size had been his own
child was not to be doubted for II moment.
But that she would receive the same unre-
hitting attention while he was counting
Catherine which would have been offered to
her under other circumstances was not to be
hoped. BE the results, however, what they
might, Randall could see but one plain course
before him now. He decided on fastening
Sydney'S introduction to Bennydeck and on
writing at once to prepare the captain FOR
that event.
A'''' 'i'' "tIEi'ihs otihlfiS llotCNlliIS
required examination in its different bear
ings before lie could. begin lis letter.
Would he be justified in abiding to Benny
decks supposed relations with Catherine?
Considerations OF d~elicacy seemed to forbid
taking this liberty, even with an intimate
friend. 1t was for the captain to confirm
what Mrs. PreSty had said of him, if he
thought it desirable to touch on the subject
III his reply. Besides, looking to GATHERINGS
mterests--and not forgetting how she had
sutfered-had Randall any right to regard
with other than friendly feelings a second
marriage which united her TO Il man morally
and intellectually the superior of her first
husband? What happier future could await
her-espccialiy ii she justified Randal'S past
experience OF all that was candid and truth
full in her character-than to become his
friends Wife?
Written under the modifying influence of
these conclusions, his letter contained the
few words that follow:
Il have news for you'wlich / am sure YOU
will be giad to hear. Your old friends dauGll-
ter has abandoned her sinful way of life, ana
has made sacrllces which prove the sincerity
of her repentance. Without entering into
particulars which may be mcrcitully dismiss
ed from notice, let me only assure you that
answer for Sydney WesterIield as being
worthy of the tatherly interest which you
feel in her. Shall l say that she may expect
an early visit from you when | see her to-
morrow? | don't doubt that | an free al.
ready TO do this, but it will encourage the
poor girl if canspcak with your authority
He added Sydney's address in a postscript
and dispatched his letter that evening.
On the afternoon of the next day two let.
tiers were delivered to Randall, bearing the
Sydenham postmark.
The first wiic! he happened to take up
was addressed to lin III Mrs. Presty's hand
writing. His opinion of this correspondent,
was expressed i'll prompt a%ction-he threw
the letter, unopened, INTO the waste-papel
basket.
The next letter was from Bennydeck, writ
ten in the kindest terms, but containing nc
alluSion to any contemplated change in his
life. He would not be able Ole wrote) tC
leave Sydcnham for day OF two. No ex.
PLANTATION OF the cause of this delay followed.
But it might, perhaps, be eXcusable to infer
that the marriage had not yet been decided
on, and that the captains proposals Were
still waiting for GATHERINGS reply.
Rnldal put the letter in his pocket and
Went at once to Sydney's lodgings.