Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-09-17
WINNIE'S TRIUM PH
By THE AUTHOR OF FAIRY COLD"

o1 lftE .AUltiOft Ot FAIRY GOLO."
AS true as that there never was a man
who was a hero to his Udlet-de-chambre
30 true is it that the haughtiest belle, the
most brilliant leader of fashionable socie-
ty, never was, never is, never will be, a
heroine, wonderful, adorable, unattaina-
BILE, perfect, to the adroit parsonage who
knows that she has a fashion of wearing
her boots on one side, that she is constant
ly afflicted with chapped lips, that there
are some cunning pads about that charm
ing figure, or that the tooth next her left
eye-tooth can be removed at will.
Madam of Roseworthy formed no excep-
ton to the rule. The only person on earth
who sighted Madam's words and despised
her pride, secretly, who sought opportuni-
ties to pay off affronts or grievances. and
who actually, by dint Of c~,lerulous, spite
full, declarations of her constant and unre-
Quilted devotion to her mistress, by de-
spalrlng threats and manifestations of
heart-brokennes and wounded feelings
under any provocation, had maintained an
ascendancy greater than anyone else over
Madam Vivian, was her waiting-woman-
Elizabeth Trewheua.
"A splendid present, certainly she
said, coldly, feeling annoyed that she had
allowed Trewhella to perceive her dis
pleasure at her nephew's rich gift; but |
think, if Captain Tredennick had asked
me, / could AVE told him of something
which Miss Winnie would have liked
much better. If he had sent her q nice
gold watch and a black silk dress, they
would have been much more useful to her
han one expensive article like that. Hand
me the Times, Trewhella, and spread the
sofa-blanket over my feet; | shall not go
down again, l think-I do not feel quite
we'll"
Not n bit of It'll" thought Miss Ire
whella, indicating herself, as she glided
softly about, with a meek, sorrowful ex-
preston, attending to her mistress wants.
"Iou are in such a rage at the Captains
giving her that fur jacket that you don't
want to see her againl The young mink
How ever did she get him to promise it to
her? I'll make Madam tell me sometime
when she is in humor. l am with his
aunt, shaving and waiting on her these
ten years, and never got but q few half
sovereigns from him at Christmas-and
that vulgar old cook and the butler the
same. Miss Winnie Caerlyon, n young
chit he never saw before, gets a twenty
guinea jacket from him! Upon my word
he didn't admire her fine long hair for
nothing! A keepsake-no less! Thought
Pascoe, the purser at Tolgooth, was the
one to give her keepsakes, and not Mad
ANS nephew, Captain Stephen Treden-
nick OF "Tregarthen. And isn't Madam
yeXed? She knows there's more in ii than
she knows about; and that sly young one
to pretend she was taken all of n surprise!
And isn't he sly, too! Sober Captain
Tredennick, that you wouldn't think knew
whether a body had Il head on 'em or not!
Madam's up to him more than other folks.
That's what put her out so the morning |
told her he'd been admiring Miss Winnie's
hair. And how came Captain T%redennick
into the housekeeper's roomS says she, as
sharp as vinegar"
Aloud the obsequious attendant inquired,
meekly and respectfully
"Shall ! send Miss Winnie up to read to
you, Madam?'
mo, thank YOU" replied her mistress,
very quietly.
"She's studying that one page a long
time" said Miss Trewhella to herself, with
an inward sneer. 81 wouldn't stand in
Miss Winnie's shoes for something. She'll
catch it heavy enough, some time or other,
about the Captains grand keepsake. l
wonder what will Pascoe say?"
Madam isn't coming downstairs again,
Miss Winnie" Miss Trewhella announced,
entering the drawing-room with q cat
like step, to find Winnie sitting in the
w~indow-seat, her face pressed against the
panes.
as she not? Is she not well? Am ] to
go up and read to her, Miss Trewhella?"
she asked, starting up and displaying q
pale, tear-swollen face tothe lady's-maid's
keen eyes.
"She is quite well, but you're not to 90
up to read to her. She wishes to be alone"
said Miss Trewhella, sailing about the
room in a ~free-aud-easy manner, darling
sharp looks at Winnie, and envious ones
ut the fur jacket and sailing out again,
humming a song, and leaving the door
open.
she is angry with mel Oh, what shall
l do?" cried poor Winnie in despair. ooh,
why did he do such o cruel thing? | may
as well go home again. would ask her
to forgive me, but have lone no wrong"
Hastily putting on her old worn jacket
and little straw hat, she pulled down her
veil to hide her face, and stole upstairs to
the door with the green flossy mat and
heavy velvet hangings shrouding the en-
trance to Madam's ~dressing-room.
She knocked twice without evoking
any response, and then softly turned the
handle.
who is there?" Madam called sharply.
"Trewhella, why do you disturb me?"
at is ], Madam-Winniel' came the
faint little voice.
''Then why do you disturb me?" Madam
demanded, more sharply and angrily. IF
] required your presence, l should have
sent for you"
81 only came to ask if l am to go home,
Madam, as Trewhella said you were not
coming down any more"
Yes, you may" responded her patron.
ess, shortly. Shut the door, please, and
draw the curtain"
"Good-evening, Madam.
"Good-evening."
For one minute Winnie stood outside
the velvet-hung portal, battling with her
grief and modification, and then the
measure of injustice that had been SO un-
fairly dealt her touched the spring of her
yet unbroken, strong spirit.
Madam Vivian has no right to treat
me So" she said. and her tears dried as il
by fire, and she walked steadily down
stairs, and was passing out through the
hall, when the sight of Mrs. Grose stand
ing in the drawing-room, holding up the
sealskin jacket, and giving vent to whis-
pered CALCULATIONS of rapture arrested her
steps.
Miss Winnie, dear, come here!' she
cried, clasping her hands. This is what
the Captain sent you home. Oh, my dear
Miss Winnie, pet, amt it most beautlful!
Miss Trewhella told me. And it cost
guineas, and is fit for Madam her.