Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-05-22
TlG Evil Genius.
a DOMESTIC STORY.
BY wlLKIE COLLINS.

III ltllrtal slIfan, FROM the 'rlS,nt, which
.hus presented itself ! nm. "a rs rC.atiuns
with his brother, U..d II his ioughts reverted
:" Sydney Westerield, othrs reasons for APP
p%rehension found their way into his mind.
He had promised Ia do his best toward per.
suading Catherine to grant Sydney an inter.
view. To perform that promise appeared 10
be now Simply impossible. Under the eXas-
lnarating influence of Il disappointment for
which he was not prepared, il was hard 10
say what act of imprudence Sydney might
not commit. Even tile chance of successful
~ cOnliding her 10 ~Bennydeck's protection
had lost something of its fair promise since
Randai's visit to S%ydenham. That the cap
tain would welcome his friends daughter as
atfectionately rs If she had been his WI
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 to prepare the captain for
that event.
Even this apparently simple proceeding
required examination in its different bear
ingS before he could begin h'S letter.
Would he be justified IN abiding to Benny
decks supposed relations with Catherine?
Considerations of d~elicacy seemed TO forbid
taking this liberty, even with an intimate
friend. 1t was for the captain to confirm
what Mrs. Presty had said of him, If he
thought il desirable to touch oil the subject
In Ills reply. Besides, looking to GATHERINGS
interests-and not forgetting how she had
suffered hat Randall any right 10 regard
with other than friendly feelings a 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 Randals past
experience OF all that was candid and truth
full in her chamberlain TO become his
friends wife?
Written under the modifying influence of
these conclusions, his letter contained the
few words that follow:
Il have news Tor YOU which | am sure YOU
will be glai to hear. Your old friends daugh.
ter has abandoned her sinful way of life, and
has made sacrifices which prove the sincerity
of her repentance. Without entering into
particulars which may be merclfully dismiss
ed from notice, let me only assure YOU that |
NHlHHN' i" hNNlNN ''NNNih'lN - III
worthy of the fathelly interest which you
feel in her. Shall | say that she may expect
an early visit from You when | see her to-
morrow? | don't doubt that ] am free nj.
ready TO do this, but il will encourage the
poor girl if can speak with your authority
lie added Sydney's address in a postscript
and dispatched his letter that evening.
On the afternoon of the next day two let.
ters were delivered to Randall, bearing the
SydenlIam postlnark.
The first which he happened TO 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-papel
basket.
The next letter was from Bcnnydeck, writ
ten IN tine kindest terms. but containing nc
alIusion to amy contemplated change in his
life. lie would not be able 0e wrote) tC
leave Sydenham for a day OF two. No eX,
PLANTATION Of the cause of this delay followed
But it might, perhaps, be eXcusable to infel
that the marriage had not yet been decided
ON, and that the captains proposals were
still waiting for GATHERINGS reply.
Randall put the letter in his pocket and
went at once To Sydney's lodgings.