Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-01-16
The Evil Genius.
a STORY.

BY WILKIE COLLINS.

their way TO the highlands, and were acctlS'
toned 10 meet the neighbors of the Linleys
at dinner ON their arrival. Thetime for this
yearly festival had now come round again
the guests were in the house; and Mr.. enc
Mrs. Linley were occupied la making theil
arrangements for the Inner party. Will
her unfailing consideration for every one
about her, Mrs. Linley did not forget Sydney
while she vas sending out her cards of invi
tation. Our table will be full ut dinner
she said to her husband; Miss Westeriield
had better join US in the evening with Kitty
II suppose So Linley answered with somt
hesitation.
you seem to doubt it, Herbert. EhyT
81 was only wondering
"Wondering about what2'
HAS Miss Westeriield got a gown, Cath
crime, that will do for q partyT"
Linley's wife looked at him as IL she doubt
ed the evidence of her own senses. 'FancV
a man thinking OF that" she exclaimed.
Herbert, you ~a>tonisll me-
He laughed uncasily. II don't know how
i came to think of it-unless it is that She
wears the same dress every day. Very neat;
but (perhaps I'm wrong a little shabby,
too
Upon my word, You pay Miss Westerfield
a compliment which you have never paid to
me! Wear what l may, you never seem to
know how / am dressed"
II beg your pardon, Catherine, | know
that you are always dressed WELL"
That little tribute restored him to his place
in his wife's estimation. II may tell you
now" she resumed, with her gentle smile,
''that you only remind me of what | had
thought of already. My milliner is at work
for Miss Westertield. The new dress must
be your gift"
Are You ~j0kingg'
IL am in earnest. Tomorrow is Sydney's
birthday; and here is my present" She
opened a jewelers. ease and took out a plain
gold bracelet. Suggested by Kitty" she
added, pointing to ali inlaid miniature por-
trait of the child. Herbert read the inscrip-
ton; TO Sydney W~CSteIfcid, lCih Cdth.rine
LinleVS lore. He gave the bracelet back to
his wife in silence; his manner was more sc.
rious than uSual-he kissed her hand.
The day of the dinner party marked an
epoch in Sydney's lite.
For the first time in all her experience she
could look in the glass and see herself pretti.
~ dressed, with a gold bracelet on her arm.
If we consider how men On one way and
milliners Gin another profit by it, vanity is
surely To be %reckOned, not among the vices,
but among the virtues of the sex. VIII any
woman who speaks the truth hesitate 10 ac-
knowledge that her first sensation of graft
fled vanity rank among the most exquisite and
most enduring pleasures that she has ever
felt? Sydney locked her door and exhibited
herself to herself-in the front view, the side
view, and the back view lover the shoulder
with eyes that sparkicd and cheeks that
glOWed in a delicious confusion of pride and
establishment. She practiced bowling To
strangers IN her new dress; she practiccd
shaking hands gracefully with her bracelet
well in view. Suddenly she stood still be.
fore the glass and became serious and thought
full. KIM and dear Mr.. Linley was in her
mind now. While She was asking herself
anXiously what he would think OF her, Kitty
arranged IN hrT new fncry, as vain aIId as
happy as her govcrneSS-drummed with both
fists outside the door and announced at the
top of her voice that it was time to 20 down.
stairs. Sydney'S agitation at the prospect Of
meeting the ladies in the drawing-rOOm add.
ed a charm of its own TO the flush that her
exercises before the glass had left on her
face. Shyly following instead of leading
her little companion into the room, she pre-
scented such IA charming appearance Of youth
and beauty that the ladies stopped in THEN
talk TO look at her. Some few admired
Kitty's governess with generous interest: the
greater number doubted Mrs. Linley'S pru.
dencc in engaging a girl so very pretty AND
SO very young. Little by little Sydney.
manner-simple, modest, shrinking from OBJ
servation-pleaded in her favor even Will
the ladies who had been prejudiced against
her at the outset. When Mrs. Linlcy pre-.
scented her to her guests the most beautiful.
woman among them (Mlrs. MacEdwin) made
room for her on the sofa, and with perfect
tact and kindness set the stranger at her ease,
When the gentlemen came in from the din
ner table Sydney was composed enough tC
admire the brilliant scene and TO wonder
again, as she mad wondered already, what
Mr.. Linley would say to her new dress.
Mr.. Linley certainly did notice her-at O
distance.
lie looked at her with a momentary fervol
of interest ana admiration, which made sgd
ncy $50 gratefully and so guiltlessiy attached
to him) tremble with pleasure; he even step
ped forward as if TO approach her, checked
himself, and went back again among Iii
guests. Now III one part of the room. AM
now in another, she saw him speaking Il
them. The one neglected person whom hi
never even looked at again was the poor cir
to whom his approval was the breath of he
life. Had she ever felt as unhappy as she
felt now? No, not even at her aunt's school
Friendly Mrs. MacEdwin touched her arm
"Nly dear, you are losing your pretty color
Are you overcome by the heat? Shall | TAX,
you into the next room?'
Sydney expressed her sincere sense of th,
lady'S kindness. Her commonplace excus,
was a Tue eXcuse--she had q headache, an
she asked leave to retire TO her room.
Approaching the door, she found herself
face to face with Mr.. Linley. He had ius
been giving directions To one of the servants,
and was re-entering the drawing-room. She
stopped, trembling and cold; but, in the very
intensity Of her Indebtedness, she found
courage enough to speak to him.
"You seem to avoid me, Mr.. L~inley," she
began, speaking with an air of formal re
spect and keeping her eyes on the ground
~ hope" she hositated and desperately
looked at him-'I hope | haven't done any.
thing to offend you?"
In her knowledge Of him up to that misera
BILE evening he constantly spoke to her with {
smile. She had never yet seen him SO seriou
oiu y ihdtttlltlNc do lt was IOW. Ills eyes
wandering round the room, rested on Mrs
Linley- brilliant and beautiful, and laugh
ing gayly. Why was he looking at his wife
with plain signs Of embarrassment in hi.
face? Sydney piteously persisted in repeat
ing her innocent question: II hope haven
done anything to offend your
He seemed to be still reluctant to notice
heron the one occasion Of all others whel
she was looking her best! But he answered
at last.
MY dear child, 1t is impossible that yo,
should offend me; you have misunderstood
and mistaken ne. Don't suppose-pral
don't suppose that | am changed or can eve
be changed toward YOU" He emphasized
the kind intention which those words reveal
ed by giving her his hand.
Blu the next momen.he drew back. Their,
vas 10 Disgusting il, he drew back US If h
wished to get away from her. She noticed
that his lips were firmly closed and his eye
brows knitted in a flOwn, he looked like
man who was forcing himself TO submit L
some hard necessity that he hated OF feared
Sydney left the room in despair.
He had denied in the plainest and kindes
terms that he was changed toward her. Wa
that not enough? 1t twas nothing like enough
The facts were there to speak for themselves
he was an altered man; Anxiety, sorrow, re
morse-One or the other seemed to have 90
possession OF him. Judging by Mrs. Linley'
gayety Of manner, his wife could not posi-
biy have bpen taken into his cnnfidanoa