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

what you are now! she said. Mis-. Frosty
actually blushed.
CHATTER XXXv.
For some time Catherine and her mother
had been left together undisturbed.
Mrs. Presty had read the letters of Lady
Myrie and Mrs. Romsey, with the most IN
feigned contempt for the writers-had re-
peated what the judge had really said, az
distinguished from Lady Myrie's malicious
version of it-and had expressed ner inten-
ton of giving Catherine a word of advice,
when she was sufficiently composed 10 profit
by II. "You have recovered your good looks.
after that fit OF crying" Mrs. Presty admit
ted. but not your good spirits. What is
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 a Tide
in the fresh air on ttle ~faNorite donkey that
she feeds every morning. les, yes, YOU
needn't tell me you are in a false position,
and nobody can deny that it's shameful 20
make the child feel it. Now listen 10 me.
Properly understood, those two spiteful wO-
men have dom you a kindness. They have
as good as told you how 10 protect yourself
in time to come. Deceive the vile world,
Catherine, as it deserves To be deceived
Shelter yourself behind a respectable char
acter that will spare you these insults in tho
future" In the energy Of her conviction
Mrs. Presty struck her fist on the table, and
finished in three audacious words: BE q
widow"
1t was plainly said-and yet Catherine .
seemed TO be Al a loss TO understand what
her mother meant.
Don't doubt about it, Mrs. Presty went
on do il. Think of Kitty if you won't
ihiiSS Of yourself. In a few years mole size
will be q young lady. She may have an Of
fer of marriage, which may be everything
we desire. Suppose her sweetheart's family
is a religious family: and suppose your di-
VOICE, an0 the Judge remarks on II, ale as.
covered. What will happen then"!
rs IL possible that you are in earnest?'
Catherine asked. Have you seriously
thought of the advice that you are giving
me? Setting aside the deceit, you now as
well as | do that Kitty would ask questions.
Do you think that l can tell my child that
nti iat.ler - dead? A leland such a dread
full lie as that!'
Nonsense said Mrs. Presty.
Nonsense" Catherine repeated, indig-
nantly.
Rank nonsense" her mother persisted.
Hasn't your situation forced you to lie al
ready? When the child asks why her father
and her goyerness have left us, haven't you
been Obliged to invent excuses which are
lies? Ii the man who was once your nus
band isn't as good as dead TO y0u, / should
like 10 know what YOU divorce means! My
poor child, do you think you can go 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
sou, will wonder why they never see MI.
Grmond? What? You will go abroad again?
Go where you ina you will attract atten-
ton; you will make an enemy of every ugly
woman who looks at you. Strain at a glat,
my dear, and swallow a camel. It's only a
question of time. Sooner or later you will
lind yourself driven 10 1t; you will be a wild
ow. Here's tile waiter again. What does
the mau want nowy9'
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
iiiil, HltoltttiNC " VIA III hEC liSbt NC
In the language of the conjurers, a magic
change" appeared in her; she became bright
ly agreeable in a momen
ooh, Capt. Bennydeck, you mustn't make
excuses for coming into your own room!"
Capt. Bennydeck went on with his excuses
nevertheless. The landlsdy tells me that
/ have ~aa,.c.s.ly missed seeing Mr.. Randall
Linley, and that he has left a message for
me. l shouldn't otherwise have yentufed-'
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. n
ceremony, l beg and pray! You are at home
here-take the easy-chairv'
Catherine advanced a few steps; 1t 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 ut
her. His customary composnre as a WE'LL
| bred man deserted him; he bowed confused
ly; he had not q word To say. Mrs. Presty
| seized her opportunity and introduced them
| to each other. MY daughter, Mrs. Ormond
Capt. Bennydeck.p Compassionating him.
under the impression that he was a shy man,
| Catherine tried tn set him at ease. Ian in
deed glad TO have an opportunity Of thank
ing you,' she said, inviting him by gesture
to be seated. in this delightful air l have
recovered my health, and W 1t to your
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, ''Gnder
what interested motives / have acted. When
1 established myself in this hotel l was fair
~ driven out OF my yacht by q guest who
went sailing with me-"
Mrs. Presty became deeply Interested.
1Dear me, what did he dog'
Capt Bennydeck answered, grsvely: HE
snored."
Catherine was amused; Mrs. Presty burst
| out laughing; the captains dry hunor as
serted itself rs quantity rs ever. This Is no
| laughing matter" he resumed. looking at
Catherine. My vessel Is q small one For
two nights the awful music Of my friends
| nose kept me slecpless. When i woke him
| and said Don't snore,' he apologized In the
day / anchored In the bay here. determined
| 70 get q nights rest on shore. A dispute
abont the price OF these rooms offered them
to me. ! sent . note Of apology on board
| and slept peacefully. The next morning my
safing-master Informed me that there hat
| been what he called = little swell In the
night He reported tho sounds made BY my
friend on this occasion ~ have been the ayfr
~ sounds of s~casicknesA Tbs s<4saals