Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-10-15
did not think there could be any harm In


did not think there could be any harm In
deedi"
In his earnestness no stood clasping his
cousins fair jewelled hauds. while Mil
dred's handsome face grew radiant with
girlish fun, both on account of poor old
Stephens uneasiness," and at TIE sudden
belief that there was n deeper feeling than
mere annoyance prompting his earnestness
and excitement which her clever teasing
had brought TO light.
The red glow of the freight revealed
them standing so together-Mildred's
bright, upturned face cleaning with
smiles, Stephens full of earnest question.
ing-reyealed them so plainly that a watch.
er outside in the chill wintry cleaning of
the dark, frozen shrubbery could notice
even the pattern of the fragile whiteelace
collar and sleeves which adorned Mildred
~Tredenntck's rich dark silk dress, the
brilliant cluster of golden toys swaying
Mt her watchchain, the restless flash of
the starry rings on her long, thin white
fingers.
8he flrelit room, with those soft, ample
curtains OF maroon damask lying on the
warm dark carpet-the subdued glitter Of
dark polished woods, and lines and spots
or bright gliding glimmering from floor &c
ceiling-that dark cascd wall, with its
close packed rows of books-the light,
warmth, comfort, happiness, and the
beauty of beautiful Mildred Tredennick-
these were the accessories of the picture
who's central figure she had alone come
TO look upon-the little dark-robed watcher
in the cold and snow outside-to look heI
last upon.
She cr2pt nearer and nearer for that
long last farewell look-so near tina had
Captain Tredennick not been looking into
his cousins eyes, he must nave met the
gazr of those deep, dark, yearning ones
outside in the evening gloom.
Heaven bless hcr-Stephcn Treden.
hicks wife, whispered the pale, quiverine
lips: and then the dark evcrgreens and
frozen shrubs rustled softly, parted and
closed, and the lone little watcher was
gone.
81 am very sorry, stephen; ] should not
have annoyed you by repeating this spite.
full gossip" Mildred said, p%enitcntly, ut
the close Of their prolonged tCtC-n-tctC in
the study-Mildrcd and Stephen were
rather fond of tCtC-d-tCtC interviews and
tCtc-d-tCtC ramblcs, Madam Vivian noticed,
with much stately satisfaction-'and
promise you that, rs far as | am con.
ccrncd, there shall he no further ground
for peoples unkind remarks about your
poor little Winnie Caerlyon."
"My poor little Winnie C~aerlyon?'
stephen Tredennick said, raising his brows
in Il frown, whilst in the eyes beneath .
curious smile was shining.
"Wcll, my poor little Winnie Caerlyon,
then" returned Mildred, coldly. "She
shall be my friend, and | shall request
Madam Vivian, III worthy and ~grievous.
ly-mistaken relative, TO permit Miss Caer
lyons visits here as my friend. But ! be
lievc unjust make you my ambassador in
the first instance, Captain Tredennick; il
would be less formal aud more friendly,
besides, to tell the truth, / am half afraid
Of en%countering that terrible stcp-mother
and should not wish to do SO unless you
object To the office. In case it should be
too disagreeablc and troublesome an un,
dertakiug for you, | will defer my invite
ton until | can pay a visit in person.
Continued Next Week.)