Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1900-03-03

"Do let 1t go on to its bitter end" he says
in a whisper, with most unusual animation
for him. Mrs. Herrick, help me-"
"Why not, OlgaY' says Hernia, in q low
tone. 1.-THE principal characters are will
ing; we have not had a real laugh for some
time; why throw away such a perfect
chanceY'
'Oh! that" says Olga.
Here q slight diversion is caused by the
appearance of a footman, a tea-tray, a boy,
O gypsy table, a maid, a good deal of fruit,
maraschino, brandy, soda, and Madame
O'Connor. The latter, to tell the truth, has
been having q siesta In the privacy OF her
own room, and has now come down, like a
| giant refreshed, TO see how her guests are
getting on.
"well! Ihopc you're al happy" she says,
joyially.
"We are mad with perplexity," says Olga.
"What's the matter. then, darling?"' says
Madame. Hernia, like a good child, go
and pour out the tea"
"I1l tell you all about it. says Brian, who
is a special favorite of Madame . Connors,
coming over TO her and STOPPING behind her
chair to whisper into her ear.
Whatever lie says makes he. laugh I'M
moderately. 1t is easy to bring smiles to
her lips at any time,-her heart having kept
at a stand-still whilst her body grew DID,
but now she seems particularly fetched.
"Yes, yes, my dear O,ga, let them have
their W way she says, merrily.
VERY good. Let MS consider it settled
says Mrs. Bolun. But | should like some
tableaux afterward, as a wind-up."
YES, certainly" says Ronayne. What
do you think, Madame?'
GIs-1 .,N 800. ,,sAI .H, tI.., - a.~H Lie old
hostess, gayly. You're such a handsome
boy, Ulic, that I'm bent Oh seeing you in
fancy clothes; and SO is somebody else, L
dare say. Look at the children, how they
steal toward us; were there ever such de-
mure little mice? Come here, George, my
son, | have peaches and pretty things for
YOU"
The kinl old soul holds ont her agms to
two beautiful children, a boy and girl, who
are coming slowly, shyly toward her. They
are so like Hernia Herrick as TO be unmio-
takably hers. The boy, coming straight TO
Madame OCOnnOr, climbs up on her lap
and lays his bOnny cheek against hers; but
the girl, running To her mother, who Is busy
over the tea-tray, nestlcs close to her.
Gently, my soul" says Hernia, in a soft
whisper. Though she still calmly pours out
the tea, with Kelly beside her, she le,s the IN
occupied hand fall, TO mingle with the
golden trcsses of the child. As her hand
meets the little sunny head, a marvellous
sweetness crceps INTO erface andtransfiXeS
1t to heavenly beauty. Kelly, watching
her, marks the change.
Gong round to the child, he would have
taken her in his arms,-as is his habit with
most children, being a special fav0rite in
every nursery; but this little dame, drawing
back from him, repels him cody. Then, as
though fearing herself ungraciouS, she slow
ly extends to him tiny, friendly hand,
which he accepts. The likeness between
this grave baby and her grarer mother is SO
remarkable as 10 be almost lIdiCr0uS.
~ think you haven't given Mr.. kellyeven
one kiss to-day" says her mother, smiling
family, and pressiA: the child closer to her.
"Shci is a cold littis thin-, is she not?'
II suppose she inherItS it" says Owen
Kelly, without lifting his eyes from the
child's fair face.
Mrs. Hcrrick ColorS slightly.
"NEill YOU let me get 'ou some tea, Fay"
says Mr.. Kelly, addressing the child almost
anXiously.
ICon4inuel Next Wcek.)