Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-09-10
ing over to her the Astrakhan jacket and

~ "AAAS IL ~
Really 1t is lovely-quite a handsome
present Of Stephen's!' said Madam. look
ing much gratified. 'That Lyons velvet
is superb, Trewhella; and what q depth OF
that beautiful silvery fur 1t must have
cost a great deal"
Miss Trewhella, diving deeper into the
box, looked up at this juncture with an
air OF mingled reproach and comforted as
surance.
Another sealskin, Madam" she said,
lifting a pile of quilted satin and golden
black fur. THAT makes two sealskins, an
A~strakhan, a Polish ermine, n velvet and
sable, a velvet and chinchilla, the Canada,
other furs, and"
What are you talking abouts" inter-
rupted her mistress, shortly, understand
ing the drift of the conversation perfectly.
THAT is not mine, Trewhella; it is some
mistake, Of course. / didn't want a seal.
skin, and told Captain Tredennick not to
get one, as I preferred the silver-fox for a
change. How stupid of the people! But
what a beauty it is! 1t cost twenty g~uineas
at least!"
If there was a feminine passion in Mad
am Vivian's calmly decorous, self-con-
tanned, equab!e nature, it was n love Of
NNNb"A~ NooNig uItSSs anu, NtSllJt llG
treasures of her winter wardrobe which
her maid had reckoned up, she gazed at
the splendid sealskin with longing eyes,
and buried her little white fingers in its
goh-shaded velvety depths with a covet-
Il appreciation of its richness.
"Oh, | dare say, Madam Miss Ire
whella said, cycling the jacket in her turn
with greedy longing, that Captain Tired
ennick thought you'd like a new sealskin
too; though your other one is as good rs
new nearly. The Captain Is so generous,
and makes such beautiful presents" she
went on; you remember, Madam, that
time you expected a black Maltese lace
shawl, he sent all those splendid lace
fiounces with it and your white lace fan"
Yes" agreed Madam, taking up the
sealskin admiringly, and willing to be
persuaded that it. was an unexpected adj
dition to her generous nephew's costly
present. II really did not want this-fool,
ish boyl'
and is that for you also, Madam" in
quired Winnie, amazed.
Eyes, I suppose So" said Madam, care.
lessly, as if a twenty-guinea sealskin more
or less, were no great matter. Help me
on with this velvet, Trewhella; Stephen IS
bent on making the dmende honorable
with all his might. All, what is that"
A note fell from the folds Of the velvet
as Trewhella shook it out, and Winnie
caught it up and presented it to Madam.
What has Stephen TO say, l wonderY''
madam murmured, with a little satisfied
smile, tearing the envelope Omen.
"'My dear Aunt'-h'm-I nave at last
- ltt, h',,, IhnNa x,n,, ,,.1I M "a .---
best Siberian ~fur'-ah-"
A very long pause, in which Madam
stared ut the paper, Winnie looked earn
estly at the rich gifts, thinking of the
giver, and longing to hear every word he
had written, and Miss Trewhella decided
within herself that she would have that
Astrakhan jacket and muff that very day.
Madam might give her the other sealskin
too without being over-generous.
The letter dropped from Madam's hand,
and her steadfast gaze passed from 1t to
Winifred's unconscious face-a little sad
dened. The girl could not help it while
thinking what u beautiful lot of things
new jacket, aud dress, inc boots, and
bonnet for herself, a little swansdown-
trimmed robe for Louie, a new umbrella
for father-sho knew he would like q nice
silk one SO much-and a nice neat silk
velvet mantelet, the very thing she was
longing for, for mamma-twenty guineas
would buy, which amount had all gone
for that jacket that Madam did not want!
The magnetic attraction of Madam's
eyes made Winnie look up hastily; and
the face she saw-so set and cold, with q
hostile glimmering smile, like stormy sun
light, on thep proud mouth and naughty,
curving nostrils-almost made her gasp
with apprehensive timidity.
81 did not know that Captain Treden-
nick promised you a keepsake; my dear?"
mo, he did not-that is, ] thought he
was only joking" stammered Winnie,
her heart beating madly. "Why, madam"
"Oh, no Why at all, my dear" said
Madam, ninging the note on the table, the
naughty nostrils dilating %ominously, and
the pale, handsome face growing stony in
its nnapproachable hduteur and cold in
difference; "only l thought you would
have mentioned it when you knew that it
was coming to you. Captain Tredennick
is so generous, really | think he would
give away all that he possessed IL he were
asked for it. Don't crush my sleeve,
Trewhella. Do you remember the time
when all those Llanyon girls got Captain
Tredennlck to send them keepsakes Ire
whellaS | thought / should have expired
with laughter to see them all turning out
in coral necklaces and Indian silk sashes
every Sunday-the Captain sent them all
one apiece"
"Oh, yes, Madam" said Trewhella, twit-
tering doubtfully, not quito certain from
NUha t nItorfor hid Gonna hon IN, iet rngg, ,,-
cealed veXation, and looking askance at
Winnie, who felt her very limbs trembling
beneath her.
Whatever anyone asks him to give is
given at once" Madam continued, laugh
ing. "The Llanyons were all wild for
Delhi embroidered sashes and coral neck
laces, and he sent them; and so / suppose
you gave Il hint Of your wishes, Miss Win
nie?"
"What, MADAME didn't say anything"
said Winnie, the tears rising to her eyes.
captain Tredennick said, the evening he
was at u house, that he would send me
n fiying-fish, or Il string Of coral, or some
thing; and said that / did not want any
thing. ! did not ask him for anything,
Madam"
Her throat swelled painfully with pas.
sionate excitement and reproach, and she
turned away to hide the fast-falling tears.
Dear me-" said Madam, coolly sarcas-
tic; don't make such an hysterical piece
OF work Of it, Winnie. | have no doubt
you are very pleased and grateful for such
a handsome, expensive present, but there
is no need to cry about it,"
What present, Madam? I know Of
none-I see none-expected none!' cried
M>\\\\Nl kxLI+~-.
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