Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-04-23

, Pauline Darrell was not herself that morn
ing Miss Hastings had told her so several
times. She bad asked her again and again il
She was iil-if she was tired and she had
answered drearily, mo" Partly TO cheer
her the goyerness had suggested that they
should take their books under the shade Of
the cedar tree. She had assented YEARLY,
without one CLEAN of animation.
Out there in The sunlight Miss Hastings
noticed how cold and white Paullne's face
was. with its hard, set look-there was a
shadow in the dark eyes, and, unlike herself,
she started at every sound. Miss Hastings
watched her keenly. She eylnced no dis
Measure at being so watched; but when the
elder lady went up TO her and said, gently:
Pauline, you are surely either i'll or IN.
happyg'
II am neither-I am only thinking" she
returned Tmpatiently.
Then your thoughts must be very I'M
pleasant ones-tell them to me. Nothing
sends way unpleasant ideas so soon as com
nunicating them to others"
But Miss Dlrrell had evidently not heard
The words; she had relapsed into deep medi-
ation, aud Miss Hastings thought II better
70 leave her alone. Suddenly Pauline look
I'd up.
Miss Hastings" she said, Il suppose a
solemn promise, solemnly given, can never
De brokeng'
1T never should be broken" replied the
goyerness. Instances have been known
where people have preferred death 70 break
ing such a promise"
Eyes, such deaths have been known. l
should imagine" commented Pauline, with
4 CLEAN OF light on her face, that no Oar.
rell ever broke his or her word when it had
been solemnly given
~ should imagine not" said Miss Hast
lngs.
But she had no clew TO her pupils musings
or 10 the reason Of her question.
So the MONDAY shadows crept on. Pur-
ple-winged butterflies coquetted with the
flowers, resting on the golden breasts Of the
white lilies, and on the crimson leaves of the
rose; busy bees murmured over the rich Glove
carnations; the birds sang sweet jubilant
songs. and a gentle breeze stirred family the
leaves on the tres. For once Pauline Oar
reil seemed blind 10 the warm sweet summer
beauty; It lay unheeued before her.
Miss Hastings saw Sir Oswald coming to-
ward them; a murmur OF surprise came from
her lips.
Idullne, Sne Sdlu, lOOk dl CI OSNdlu-
how Ill he seems. 1 am afraid something is
wrong"
He drew near to hem, evidently deeply
Sgitated.
IL am glad TO fno yol here, Miss Hast
ings," he said; II am in trouble. Nay, Pau
line, do not go; my trouble should he yours"
For the girl had risen with an air of proud
WEAKNESS, intending 10 leave them together.
At his words the kindest he had spoken 10
her for some time-she took her seat again;
but the naughty, listless manner did not
change.
Il am nearly sixty years of age, said Sir
Oswald, ''and this is the first time such a
trouble has come to me-. Miss Hastings, do
you remember that conversation Of ours last
night, over that roll OF notes in the ebony
box?'
Il remember ii perfectly, Sir Oswald"
II went this morning TO take them from
the box, 20 take their numbers and send
them to the bank, and | could not tird them
they were gone"
Gomez repeated Miss Hastings. 1T is
impossible! You must be mistaken; you
must have overlooked them. What did they
amount tor
CONTINUED Next Week.1