Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-03-27
The Evil Genius.
A STORY.
BY wILKiE COLLINS.

"What would bee the use Of that, ma'am?'
Good heavens. Mr.. Sarrazin, don't you
see? In those grand old days you would
have taken a dagger, and the gardener would
have taken a dagger, and you would have
stolen out and stabbed those two villains as
a matter OF course. And this Is the age of
progress! The vilest rogue In existence is n
sacred person whose life we are bound 10 re-
spect. All, what good that national hero
would have dOne who put his barrels or gum
powder in the right place on the 5th OF No
vember! ! have always said ii, and ] stick
10 il, Guy Fawkes was Il great statesman
IN the meanwhile Mrs. Linlev was NOT
resting, and not listening TO the expression
of her mothers political sentiments. She
was intently watching Mr.. Sarrazln's face.
There is danger threatening us" She said;
"and you see Il way out of it."
To persist in trying to spare her was plain
ly useless. Mr.. SarraZin answered her d.
rectly.
The danger OF legal proceedings to obtain
possession OF the child" he said, lis more
near and more serious than | thought ii right
TO acknowledge while you were in doubt
which way TO decide. | was careful-too
careful, perhaps-not to unduly influence
You in a matter of the utmost Importance to
your future life. But YOU have made up your
mind. | don't scruple now to remind you
that an interval Of time must pass before the
decree for your divorce can be pronounced
and the care of the child be legally secured
to the mother. The only doubt and the dan
ger are there. IT you are not frightened by
the prospect Of desperate venture which
some women would shrink from, | believe |
spp n WAY NJ hahiIng thp SniaS
Mrs. Linley started to her feet. Say what
| am to do" she cried, and Judge for your
self IT l am as easily frightened as some wo-
men,"
The lawyer pointed with a persuasive
smile 10 her empty chair. III you allow
yourself TO be excited he said, ''you will
brighten me. Please-oh, please, sit down
again.
Mrs. Linley felt the strong will asserting
itself III terms of courteous entreaty. She
obeyed. Mrs. Presty had never admired the
lawyer AS she admired him now. us that
how you manage youf wite?' she asked.
Mr.. Sarrazin was equal 10 the occasion,
whatever it might be. "ln your time,
ma'am,' he said, did ou reveal the mys.
teries of conjugal liteg' He turned To Mrs.
Linley. II have something to ask first he
N'N'NN "'N nv WV 'i'NiA h'"i "AaNN a
propose. How many people serve you in
this cottage?'
''rhree-our landIady, who is housekeeper
and cook; our own maid, and the l~andlady's
daughter, who does the housework."
ANY out-of-doOr servants
"Only the gardener
"Can you trust these people,
"ln what way, Mr.. SarraZiu?'
Can you trust them with "A secret which
only concerns NOuIsell?'
Certainly The maid has been with ls
for years; no ;ruer woman ever lived. The
good old landlady often drinks tea with MS.
lleI daughter is going to he married. and |
have given the wedding dress. As for the
gardener, let Kitty settle the matter with
him, II answer for the rest. Why are
you pointing to the Window
Look out and tell me what You see"
IL see the fog
And |, Mrs. Linicy, have seen the boat
house. While the spies are watching YOU
gate what do you say Ia crossing the lake
under cover of the iOg?'