Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-05-22
Tle Evil Genius.
a DOMESTIC STORY.
pY wILKIE CoLLIXs.

lf ltalrial slnan. from The resp. =. which
.its presented itself i'm. Ibis rcatious
with bis brother, a..l II his iougbts reverted
"a sydney WeaterfieId. othrf reasons for ap-
ptetiensiOn found their way into his mind.
He had promised 10 do his best toward per.
shading Catherine to grant Sydney an inter.
view. To perform that promise appeared TO
be now simply impossible. Under the exas-
I~".rating influence OF II disappointment for
which he was not prepared, it was hard 10
say what act OF |itnprIdence Sydney might
not commit. Even the chance of successful
" coniding her to Bennydeek's protection
had lost something of its fair promise since
Randal's visit to S~ydenham. That the cap
tain would welcome his friends daughter as
affectionately AS il she had been his W.
child was not TO be doubted for a 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 10 be
hoped. BE the results. however, what they
might. Randall could see but one plain course
before him now He decided OH Fastening
Sydney's introduction 10 Bennydeck and on
writing at once 10 prepare the captain for
that event.
~ III hBIhiflhy slluiIt BIDtrrhlbB
required examination in its different bear
ings before he could begin rs letter.
Would he be- justified la abiding to Benny
decks supposed relations with Catherine?
Considerations of delicacy seemed to forbid
taking this liberty, even with an intimate
friend. Ii was for the captain 10 confirm
what Mrs. Presty had said OF him, if he
thought il desirable to touch on the subject
fs ittS rnpIy tSaSffau I,zifn.K N No a a,f pufa
nterests-and not forgetting how she had
suffered had Randall any right 10 regard
with other than friendly feelings n second
marriage which united her to a man morally
and intellectually the superior of her first
husband? What happier future could await
h~er-especially If she justified Randars past
experience OF all that was candid and truth
full In her character-than 10 become his
friends wife?
Written under the modifying influence of
these conclusions. his letter contained the
few words that follow:
II have news for YOU which | am sure you
will I've glad 10 hear. IOur old friends daugh-
ter has abandoned her sinful way of life, ami
has made sacrifices which prove the sincerity
of her repentance. Without entering into
particulars which may be mercifully dismiss
Ell from notice, let ne only assure you that
answe for Sydney Westeriield as being
worthy OF the ~fatlierly interest which you
feel III her. Shall | 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 IL viii encourage the
poor girl II i can speak with your authority"
lie addict Sydney's address in n postscript
and dispatched his letter that evening.
On the afternoon OF the next day two let,
ters were delivered to Randall, bearing the
%Sydenham postmark.
The first which he happened 10 take up
was addressed To Linn in Mrs. Presty's hand
writing. His opinion OF this correspondent,
was expressed in prompt action--he threw
the letter, unopened, into the waste-paper
basket.
The next letter was from Bennydeck, writ
ten in the kindest terms. but containing no
aliusiOn 10 any contemplated change in his
life. lie would not be able Ohe wrote) 10
leave SYdenham for a day or two. No ex-
PLANTATION of the cause Of thisd delay followed.
But it might, perhaps, be excusable 10 infer
that the marriage had not yet been decided
on, and that the captains proposals were
still waiting for GATHERINGS reply.
Randall pat the letter in his pocket and
went at once to Sydney's lodgings.