Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-12-17

d~rcamed--oI, l dreImed 80 awfnlIyIi f:le
was hurryIng Winnie along the corridor
as she spoke, aud Winnie felt her shudder
like one In an ague. "What did you play
that Dead March for. That idiot, to
make such n musical selection! 1t has
been ringing aud beating in my ears eyer
since --evet since, Winnie. I have bcea
dreaming of cofiis, and Ut everyone I
ever knew and cared for being laid in them
everyone. l knew all the dead faces!
or all nights In the year to play the Dead
March, Heavens, l shall never want 10
hear IL again. II seems beating all around
me-thc mir is full Of IT,"
i'Deaf lady Mvuutrsvor," said Winnie,
terrified, at IL bat your Imagination"
my imaginationi'' she ecboel. II wish
that my imagination were not quite so
vivid. Aud II IL so lo3g ago-sevea years
now she mnttered. "Why need IL all
come back to ME to.niglts That Deal
March'-that was H.; they did not play il
then. No. not was n lonely funeral-a
lonely grave. Id Il tar-oif landl Why did J
think Or itf'
The flood OF cheerful radiance. the soft
glare OF the rose-hued wax candles from
hes warm, pleasant rooms. streamaj ont
on the dark lobby, and shone on her face,
which was white and stony. with disteud-
al CLASSY eyes, like those OF a sleep-walker.
IL am so sorry that ] played IT,. / wish
Doctor Lake hal not been stupid enough
10 ask for II. Bat for Malam bidding me.
j should have refused" Winnie said, earn.
estly, trying to soothe Lady Mildrei's
strange distraction. SHALL ! read to you,
Lady Mountreyort Perhaps II we read
some Psalms they might make rs feel
calmer. 1t is this terrible storm which
has shaken your nerves"
'Psalmsl' Lady Mountrevor repeated,
with scornful impatience, ~ coald not
listen to Psalms. child! Psalms, with
that ringing through my brain. AMI voices
that are silent In the grave for years call
Ink my iianie, and dead faces looking to
mes
She flung herself down before the bright
fire, shrinking against L pillowed couch,
aud stretching out her arms to the BLAZING
warmth. like one who was almost chilled
10 denth.
Let me get you. sonetitng--a glass OF
wine, or some cordial or other-do, Lady
Mountrevcr-you .ook go cold and mr.
urged Winnie, earnestly,
Just as You like since you are kind
SuVuSh w pibIosC ", oiV lcluEuCd, llSG
lessly. IL did not wish 10 wake my maid
servants are not always acceptable Mt.
PENDANTS, and the girl is better asleep.
There II wine In that little buffet at the
window, Miss Caerlyon pray take a little
Yourself; and there Is sons sal volatilc on
the table In my dressing-room.'
Passing through the bedchambcr 10 the
dressing room beyond, Winnie sought for
the bottle OF which Lady Moan rcvor had
spoken, and, seeing a small phial of es.
sence OF cloves lying beside II in the little
medicine cnsket, she secured il also, and
turned TO leave the room, when a strong
light, shining beneath n door leading &c
nm adjoining apartment, and the sound of
voices arrested her steps-.a wonau's voice
subducd, but full Of distress, miuglin2
~soothings and s~upplicatlons, and a child's
f~retful, half-articulated complaints.
Irpulsively she went forward aad
opet.ed the door. A dark skinned, for
~eign-looking woman was kueeling on the
floor beside n child's cot, and holding up
before her a large black aud white cruci
fix, to which she was fervently praying,
mingllng her fearful petitions with caress.
ing words 10 the child. who, partly awake,
was staring at the white figure on the
ebony cross, with his little hands folded In
imitation Of his nurse, psevishly question.
ing her and crying also.
Continued Next Week.