Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1900-05-26

there must have been something wrong with
her always, though we could never see II.
What an angel face she had! But the chill
dren, they speak terribly of her, and they
say--that she-and James B~eresford-did
not get on at ALL"
"Eh?' says the Squire. He raises himself
on his sound elbow, and quite q glow of col
or rushes into his pallid cheek. Then, with
a groan of s~elf-contempt, he sinks back
again, and the Eighth his eye (was it of sat
isfaction9 dies.
You have met Brian" he says, presently.
"What do you think of him, Priscilla? He
Is a good lad,-a pery good lad"
HE looks it," says Miss Priscilla, shortly.
ale does" heartily. well, Tmtold this
boy of mine is in love with your girl"
"Who told you," says Miss Priscilla.
"Byian himself" says the Squire.
81 like that in him." says Miss Priscilla.
"Well, George, if you will look upon that
as settled, so shall l."
80 be it" says the Squire.
"Eh, my dear? but doesn't it make us feel
old to be discussing the love-affairs of these
young things, when it seems only yesterday
that we-that you and /, Priscilla"
'That is buried long ago; don't rake 1t up.
II died when first your eyes fell on her"
says Miss Blake, hurricdly.
II was a fool" says the Squire. "But,
somehow, since | have been talking to you,
| don't think Pm going to die this time, and
old scenes come back to me, and-I suppose
it is too late now, Priscilla%
There is no mistaking his meaning. :
'Oh, yes; a whole lifetime too late" says
Miss Priscilla, with n soft, faint bush that
would not have misbecome q maiden in her
teens. but | nm glad we are friends again,
George" ,
She presses his hand with real affection,
and then colors again warmly, as though
afraid of having discovered herself in the
act of committing an indiscretion. Could
that gentle pressure be called forward, or
light, or unseemly? Terrible thought!
$50 am |, my dear" says the Squire. And
then again, "YOa won't think of it, then,
Priscilla"
"No, no." says Miss Blake, feeling flatter-
ed at his persistence, and then she actually
laughs out aloud, and The Desmond laughs
too, though fecbly; and then the doctor
comes in again, and Miss Priscilla goes
home, to tell Miss Penelope, in the secrecy
of her chamber, and with the solemnity that
BELTS the occasion, all about the Squire's
proposal, its reception, and its rejection.
Be assured no minutest detail is forgot
ten; Miss Penelope is soon in possession Of
every smallest look and word connected
with Il, and-deeIly gratifying is the manner
in which the great news is received by that
gentle maiden.
''Ihough late in the day, Penelope" says
Miss Priscilla, as v sort of wind-up to her
recital, ut was an offer of marriage any wo-
mar might be proud of, be she young or old;
and he meant it, too. lie was quite press
ing. Twice he asked me, although my first
was q most decided NO."
at seems terrible, your having been so
cold to him, poor fellowI' says Miss Pene-
lope, with a regretful sigh for the griefs of
the rejected Desmond.
what could | do?' says Miss Priscilla,
with an air of self-defense. This thought,
that she can actually be accused of having
treated the sterner sex in q ~hard-hearted
fashion, is cakes and ale to her.
I'VE must not talk of this, Penelope" she
says, presently. at would be unfair. 1t
must never transp're through as that George
Desmond laid his heart and fortune at my
feet only to be rejected"
TO her these o!d-world phrases sound
grand and musical and full of fire and senti-
ment.
mo, no." says Miss Penelope, acquiescing
freely, yet with a sigh; she would have
dearly liked to tell her gossips of this honor
that has been done her dear Priscilla. And,
aster all, she has her wish, for the story gets
about, spread by the hero Of it himself.
The Squire, tired, no doubt, of keeping
secrets, and perhaps (but this in q whisper)
grateful to her because of her refusal, goes
about everywhere, and tells people far and
near of his offer; so that when their friends
flock to Moyne, and, giving The Desmond
as their authority for it, accuse Miss Pris-
ella Of her refusal, and she still, with maid
emily modesty, parties their questions, Miss
Penelope, feeling herself absolvcd from fur
ther reticence, comes to the front and gives
them a full and true account of the wonder
full event.
Eyes, Priscilla might indeed have reigned
as queen at Coole lad she so wished ii, and
well graced the position too" winds up Miss
Penelope, on all these occasions, with much
pride and dignity.
Brian, who had been busy all the morning
swearing informations, and so forth, with
Mr.. Kelly and the groom, before magistrates
and others, coming into his uncle's room
about half an hour after Miss Blake's de-
parture, finds him considerably better both
in mind and in body, though feeble in Esprit,
as is only natural. Indeed, the bullet had
done him little harm, causing merely a flesh
wound, but the shock had been severe to a
man of his years.
'Come here, Brian; l want to tell you
something" he says, as the young man
leans over him.
"You are not 10 talk" says his nephew,
peremptorily.
IF you won't listen to me, Ill send for
Bailey, the steward" says the Squire.
Nonsense! it does me good" And then he
tells him all the particulars of Miss Pris-
elias visit relating to his engagement with
Katherine Beresford; with one reservation.
1T is all right between us now" he says,
In a pleased tone. ''Sh2 told me everything,
and it appears we wei both sadly taken in,
though l don't wish to say anything against
her even now. Idare say she had her own
grievances, poor soul; and indeed Priscilla
said"
Here he pauses, and a guilty flush covers
his pale face. He hesitates, and then beck
ons Brian to come even nearer.
'Look you, lad! I'm notquite at ease yet.
Understanding wrong here:.' laying his
hand upon his heart.
SIS 1t pain?' asks his nephew, ~anXiously.
81 told you you were talk
, '.No, no, boy. It's only mental pain. /
want to be ashamed OF myself, and l can't
I'm feeling q satisfaction about something
that l shouldn't It's not right, Brian. It's