Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-01-09
nant sense in his moral nature. The result,

htAht NA'E - sH1 "NsN
looking at the surface only, produced an APP
peaIancc of indecision, which was false APP
pearance in the ~strictest sense of the word.
II feel inclined to agree with you" he said
to Herbert. ut does seem hard TO recall Miss
Westerfeld TO the miserable life that she has
led, and to do ii in the way OF all others
which must try her fortitude most cruelty.
At the same time"
ooh, don't spoil what you have said by
seeing the other side Of the question: cried
mis- brother. you have put ii admirably;
leave il as ii s."
AT tie same time" Randall gently per-
sisted, II have heard no reasons which sat
isfy me that we have a right To keep Miss
Westeriield in ignorance of what has hap
pened."
This serious view of the question in debate
highly diverted Mrs. PreSty. Il do like that
man." she announced, pointing to Randall;
'he always amuses me. Look at him now!
He doesn't know which side he is on, him
self"
'He is on my side" Herbert declared.
Not her
Herbert consulted his brother, What do
you say yourSclt"'
Il don't know" Randall answered.
There cried Mrs. Presty, what did l
tell your
Randall tried to set his strange reply in the
right light. II only mcan,' he explained,
that | want a little time To think
Herbert gave up the dispute and appealed
to his wife. You have still got the Ameri-
can newspaper in your hand he said.
"What do you mean to do with it?'
Quietly and firmly Mrs. Linley answered:
al mean to show it TO Miss Westertield."
against my opinion? Against your moth
er's opinion?' Herbert asked. 'Ilave we no
influence over YOU? Do as Randall does
take time, my dear. to think"
She answered this with her customary
calmness OF manner and sweetness of tone.
~ an afraid | must appear obstinate; but 1t
is indeed true that | van no time To think;
my duty is too plain TO me-
Her husband and her mother listened 10
her in establishment. Too amiable and too
happy-and il must be added too indolent-
10 assert herself in the ordinary emergencies
OF family life, Mrs. Linley only showed Of
what metal she was made on the very rare
occasions when the latent lirmness in her
nature was stirred 10 its mnernOss depths.
The general experience of this Sweet-tenl-
pered and delightful woman, ranging over
long intervals of time, was the only expert
ence which remained IN the memories OF the
persons about her. In bygone days they
had been amazed when her unexpected read
mess and lirmneSS of decision presented an
exception 10 a general rule-just as they
We're amazed now.
Herbert tried a last remonstrance. as it
possible, Catherine, that you don't see the
cruelty of showing that newspaper TO Miss
WeSterlield."
Even this appeal to Mrs. Linley's sympa.
thies failed To Shake her resolution. "You
may trust me to be careful was all she said
in reply; Il shall prepare her as tenderly for
the sad news from America as if She was u
daughter of my own
Hearing this, Mrs. Presly showed a sudden
interest in the proceedings. "When do You
mean TO begin?' size asked.
AT once, mamma
Mrs. Presty broke up the meeting on the
spot. swat till | am out of the way" she
Stipulated. "DO YOU object to Herbert Civ
ing me his arm? Distressing scenes are not
in his way or in mine
Mrs. linley made no objection. Herbert
resigned himself mot at all unwillingly) 10
circumstances Arm IN arm he and his wiie's
mother left the room.
Randall showed no intention of following
them; he had given himself time to think.
1--WE are all wrong, Catherine he said;
''and you alone are .ght. What can | do TO
help your
She took his hand gratefully. always
kind! Never thinking of yourself! | viii
see Miss Westeriield in my own room. Wait
here, in case | want you
Hfter a much shorter absence than Randall
anticipated, Mrs. Linley returned. HAS it
been very distressingg" he asked, seeing the
traces of tears in her eyes.
There are noble qualities" she answered,
Gin that poor ill-used girl. Her one thought,
as soon as she began to understand my mo-
tive in speaking to her, was not for herself,
but for me. Even you, q man, must have
felt the tears in your eyes, if YOU had heard
her promise that | should sulIcr no further
anxiety on her account. 'GOu shall see no
distressing change in me- she said, when
we meet tomorrow All she asked was to
be left in her room for the rest OF The day. L
feel sure of her resolution 10 control herSelf;
ana yet ! should like to encourage her If L
can. Her chief sorrow (as 1t seems to mel
must be-nOt for the mother who has so
Slalnefully neglected hcr-but for TIE poor
little brother, a castaway, lost IN q strange
land. Can we do nothing TO relieve her
anXiety?'
IL can write" Randall said, "to a nan
whom | know in New York; a lawyer in
large practice"
"The very person we want! Write-pray
write by to-day's post!'
The letter was dispatched. 1t was decided
and wisely decided, as the result proved
10 say nothing to Sydney until the answer
was received, Randal'S correspondent wrote
back with as little delay as possible. He had
made every inquiry, without success. Not a
trace of the boy had been found, or lin the
opinion of the police was likely TO be found.
The one event that had happened, since the
appearance of the paragraph in the New
York journal, was the confinement of James
Bellbridge in an asylum as IA mailman under
restraint without hope of recovery.