Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-01-02
che Evil Genius.
a STORY.
BY wILKIE

care of the housekeeper,' Linley answered.
Anything infections, my dear HERBERT
Mrs. Presty inquired, appearing at the break
fast-room door.
Linley addressed his reply 10 his wife.
Nothing more serious, Catherine, than
want of strength. She was In such u state
of fatigue after our long night journey that
had 10 lift her out of the carriage"
Mrs. Presty listened with an appearance
0f the deepest interest. Quite n novelty III
the way of a goyerness," she said. May ]
ask what her name iS"'
Sydney Westcrield."
Mrs. Presty looked nj her daughter and
smiled satirically.
Mrs. Linley demonstrated.
'Surely," she said, you don't object 10 the
young lady's name@'
II have no opinion to offer, Catherine. l
don't believe in the name"
"Oh, mamma, do you suspect that lis an
assumed name?'
my dear, | haven't a doubt that it is. May
l ask another question: the old lady contin'
ned. turning to LinlCy. What references
did Miss Westertield give your
\ references at ALL"
Mrs. PTesty rose with the ~alacrity of a
young woman, and hurried 10 the door. FOL.
low my example" she said to her daughter,
Oh her way ont. Lock up your jewel boN."
Linley drew a deep breath of relief when
he was left alone with his wife. What
makes your mother SO particularly disagree
able this morning." he inquired.
'She doesn't approve, dear, of my leaving
1t To you To choose Il goNerness for Kitty"
Where is Kitty
cont IN her pony for a ride over the hills.
why did YOU send a telegram, Herbert, 10
prepare me for the gOverneSs? Did YOU real
ly think | might be jealous of Miss Wcster-
lield?'
Linley burst out laughing. mo such idea
entered my head he answered. at isn't
IN you, my dear, to be Jealous"
Mrs. Iinley was not quite satisfied with
this view of her character. Her husbands
well-intended compliment reminded her that
there are occasions when II woman may be
Jealous, no matter now generous and how
gentle she may be. 1--WE won't go quite so
far as that" she said To him, 'becauSe-"
She stopped, unwilling to dwell too long ON
a delicate subject. lie loosely finished the
sentence for her. Because we don't know
what may happen in the tuture?' he suggest
ed; making another mistake by making a
Joke.
Mrs. Linley returned to the subject of tie
govelneSS.
Il don't at all say what my mother SAYS"
she resumed, but was il not just a little in
discreet 10 engage Miss Westerlield without
any rcierences?'
Unless ! ann utterly mistaken LiEley r-
piled, 'Sou would have been quite rs indiS-
Greet in my place. If you had seen the hor-
/ Yibln Nrn,nan xyhn nnNsa.ntnI apl ipp,.,.l
her"
His wife interrupted him. "How did all
this happen. Herbert? Who first introduced
you to Miss Westerieldg'
Ltnley mentioned the advertisement, and
described his interview with the school-miS-
tess. Having mex acknowledged that he
had received a visit from Miss Westericld
herself, he repeated all that she had been
able to tell him of her fathers wasted life
and melancholy end. Really interested by
this time, Mrs. Linley was eager for more
information. Her husband hesitated. II
would rather you heard the rest of il from
Miss Westerlield," he said, 'in my absence
why In your absence"'
because She can speak to YOU more free.
ly when | am not present. Hear her tell hei
W story, and then let me know whethel
you think | have made a mistake. / submit
to yOur decision beforehand, whichever way
it may incline"
Mrs. Linley rewarded him with Il kiss. II
a married stranger had seen them at tina
moment he would have been reminded o.
forgotten days--the days of his honeymoon
And now,' Linley resumed, suppose w
talk a little about ourselves. | haven't seeI
my brother yet. Where is Randall"
Staying at the farm TO look after your in
terests. We expect him 10 come back TO
day. All, Herbert, what do we not all owe
to that dear, good brother of yours? Their,
Is really no end TO his kindness. The last o
our poor highland families, who have emf
grated to America, have had their expenses
privately paid by Randall. The wife ha.
written to me-, and has let out the secret
There Is an American newspaper among tn,
letters that are waiting your brothers return
sent to him as q little mark of attention b,
these good, grateful people" Having allud
cd TO the neighbOrs who had left Scotland
Mrs. Linlcy was reminded of other neigh
hors who had remained. She was still relat
ing events OF local interest, when the clocl
interrupted her by striking the hour of tn,
nursery dinner. What had become of Kitty
Mrs. Linley rose, and rang the bell to max,
inquiries.
On the point of answering, the servan
looked round at the open door behind him
He drew aside and revealed Kitty in the cor
rider, hand in hand with Sydney Westeriiel,
who timidly hesitated at entering the room
Here she is, mamma" cried the child. Z"
think she is afraid of YOU; help me to pull
her in"
Mrs. Linley advanced to receive the new
member of her household, with the ~irreslsti
BILE grace and kindness which charmed ever,
stranger who approached her. ''Oh, it's al
right" said Kitty. ''Syd likes me, and
like sgd. What do you think? She lived il
London with n cruel woman who never CAV,
her enough to eat. See what Il good sirl
am! I'm beginning to feed her already.
Kitty pulled u box of swectmeats out of he
pocket, and handed it to the gOvelmess wit
a tap on the lid, suggestive of an old gentle
MAI Offering a pinch of snuff to "a friend.
MY dear child, you mustn't speak 10 Mis-
Westeriield in that way! Pray excuse her,
said Mrs. Linley, turning to Sydney with
smile: Il am afraid she has been disturbin;
you in your room"
Sydney's silent answer touched the moth
er's heart; she kissed her little friend. Z"
hope you will let her call me- Sgd" she salt
gently: lit reminds ne of a happier time.
Her voice faltered; she could say no more
Kitty explained, with the air of a grown pei
son encouraging a child. VI know all abOu
1t. mamma She means tie time when he
papa was alive. She lost her papa when Sl
was a little girl like me. | didn't distur
her. | only said MY names Kitty; may
get upon the bcd". And she was quite will
ing, and we talked. And helped her dress.
Mrs. Linley led Sydney to the sofa and stop
ped the flow of her daughters narrative
The look, the voice, the manner of the gov
erness had already made their simple appea
to her generous nature. When her husban,
took Kitty's hand to lead her with him on
OF the room, she whispered as he passed
You have done quite right; | haven't
doubt of it nowr'
III.
The two ladies were alone.
NJ Al II l. ~ ~ 800