Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-04-24

shall have SlNpence II you are satisfied; and
you will see what he does them Kitty look
ed up earnestly in her grandiao others face.
"What a pity it is YOU are not always like
what YOU are now!' she said. Mrs. Presty
actually blushed.
CHAPTER NNXy.
For ONE time Catherine and her mother
had been left together undistmbed.
Mrs. PreSty had read the letters of Lady
Myrie and Mrs. Romsey, with the most I'M
feigned contempt for the writers-had re-
peated what the Judge had really said, as
distinguished from Lady Myrie's malicious
version of it-and had expressed ner intcn-
ton of giving Catherine a word of advice,
when she was sufficiently composed to profit
by il. you have recovered your good looks,
after that fit of crying" Mrs. PreSty admit
ted, 'but not Your good spirits. What il
worrying You now"'
II can't help thinking Of poor Kitty
my dear, the child wants nobody's pity.
She's blowing away all her troubles by hide
i'm the fresh air on the favorite donkey that
she feeds every morning, Yes, yes, You
needn't tell me you are in n false position,
and nobody can deny that its shameful 10
make the child feel II. Now listen 10 me.
Properly understood, those two spitclul We.
men have done you Il kindness. They have
as good as told you how to protect yourself
in time to come. Deceive the vile world,
Catherine, as il deserves TO be deceived.
Shelter yourself behind a respectable char
acter that will spare you these insults in the
future In the energy Of her conviction
Mrs. PreSty struck her fist on the table, and
finished in three audacious words: BE 4
widow"
1t was plainly said-and yet Catherine
seemed TO be at a loss to understand what
her mother meant.
Don't doubt about it," Mrs. Presty went
on; Edo it. Think of Kitty if you won't
thilS Of yourself. In few years more she
will be Il young lady. She may have an of.
fer of marriage, which may be everything
we desire. Suppose her swcetheart's family
is a religious family: and suppose your di-
voice, ana the Judge remarks on II, are ulo.
covered. What will happen then"
as il possible that you are in earnest?'
Catherine asked. "llave you seriously
thought Of the advice that you are giving
me? Setting aside the deceit, you know as
well as do that Kitty would ask questions.
Do you think that | can tell my child that
n,I iut.Icr j. dead? A ic-and such a dread
full lie as that.'
NONSENSE" said Mrs. Presty.
"NonSensep' Catherine repeated, indig-
nantly.
Rank nonsense" her mother persisted.
'Ilasn't your situation forced you to lie al
ready? When the child asks why her father
and her governess have left us, haven't you
been obliged to invent excuses which are
IiaGD IL tla man Nyhn NNoS nnpn Npllr Inns
band isn't as good as dead to yOu, ! should
like TO know what you, divorce means! My
poor child, do you think you can 20 on as
you are going on now? How many thou
sands of people have read the newspaper ac-
count of the trial? How many hundreds of
people, interested in a handsome woman like
you, will wonder why they never see Mr..
EmOnd? What? You will go abroad again?
Go where you MAJ you will attract attcn-
ton; you will make an enemy of every ugly
woman who looks at you. Strain 1T a gnat,
my dear, and swallow q camel. It's only u
question of time. Sooner or later you will
find yourself driven to it; you will be a wild
Ow. Here's the waiter again. What does
the man want now?'
The waiter answered by announcing
Capt. Bennydeck."
GATHERINGS mother was nearer to the door
than Catherine; She attracted the captains
attention first. lie addressed his apologies
TO her: Pray excuse me for disturbing
| YOU
Mrs. Presty had an eye for a handsome
man, irrespective of what his age might be.
In the language of the conjurers, II magic
change appeared III her; she became bright
ly agreeable in a moment.
'Oh, Capt. B%ennydeck, you mustn't make
excuses for coming into your " room!'
Capt. Bennydeck went on with his excuses
nevertheless. The landlady tells me that
! / have unluckily missed seeing Mr.. Randall
Linley, and that he has left 4 message fol
me. | shouldn't otherwise have yentured-'
Mrs. Presty stopped him once more. The
captains claim to the captains rooms was
the principle on which she took her stand.
She revived the irresistible smiles which had
conquered Mr.. Ormond and Mr.. Presty. INC
ceremony, ! beg and pray! You are at home
here-take the easy-chair!'
Catherine advanced Il few steps; it was
time TO stop her mother, il the thing could
be done. She felt Just embarrassed enough
to heighten her color and TO show her beauty
to the greatest advantage. 1t literally stag
gered the captain the moment he looked a
her. His customary composure as q well
bred man deserted him; he bowed confused
~; he had not a word to say. Mrs. Presty
seized her opportunity and introduced them
to each other. MY daughter, Mrs. OrmonC
Capt. Bennydeck.' Compassionating him
under the impression that he was a shy man
Catherine tried to set him at case. lam in
deed glad TO have an opportunity of thank
| H.. ,..,, = aIN .AtI f,titinr hin, lxF nn1tt.ps
to be seated. ain this delightful air | hay,
recovered my health, and owe it to you
Kindness"
The captain regained his self-possession
Expressions of gratitude had been addressed
to him which, in his modest estimate of him
self, he could not feel that he had deserved
you little know" he replied, under
what interested motives ] lave acted. WheI
| established myself in this hotel ! was fair
Iy driven out OF my yacht by a guest wh'
went sailing with me-"
Mrs. Presty became deeply interested
"Dear me, what did he dO?'
Capt. Bennydeck answered, grayely: 81
snOred."
Catherine was amused; Mrs. Presty burs
out laughing; the captains dry humor as
serted itself rs quantity as ever. This is N
laughing NATTER" he resumed, looking a
Catherine. MY vessel is a small one. Fo
two nights the awful music of my friend
nose kept me sleepless. When l woke hin
and said Don't snore,' he apo!Ogized in tn
sweetest manner and began. On the thir,
day | anchored in the bay here, determine
to get a nights rest on shore. A disput
about the price of these rooms offered tllei
to Inc. / sent a note of apology on board
and slept peacefully. The next morning IN
sailing-master informed me that there In
been what he called "a little swell in tn
night He reported the sounds made by m
friend OH this occasion to have been the aY
full sounds OF seasickness. 'ihe sentemai