Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1900-11-24

Ruth Greyson had heard OF Sydney
Owen all her life and knew that she
must marry him some day. Therefore
she was not sorry TO hear that he a
not arrived. when she stepped over her
grandmother's threshold to spend
Thanksgiving.
Sydney. the only son OF equally
wealthy parents, lived upon a country
place adjoining that Of Grandmother
Greyson, and many q time the senior
members tf the Owen and the Greyson
families had met in solemn conclave.
And from time immemortal, even be-
fore the birth OF the children, II was
planned that they'll the fates so de-
c~Teed-should marry n p~erpetuate
the friendship which had existed for
three generations.
Ruth. Is she grew to girlhood in her
city home, forgot the baby who had
played with her in childhood, on her
brief visits to Grandma Greyson: and
when she went to Paris to school all
thoughts Of her pIayfellow vanished
from her mind.
She was at home now, a finished and
accomplished young woman, on the eve
of her debut into society.
II am SO glad he Will not be here,
Grandma" she said; II know I shall
not like him. Let me see; he is tall,
dark hair, curling brown mu=ta :hc,
melting hazel eyes and all the rest.
On yes, j know. Mamma has talked
sydney owen to me every day since l
came home from Iaris last summer. l
suppose / am 10 meet him, say yes, and
have IL all over."
Now, my dear" said Grandma Grey
son. don't put II that way. sydney Is
such a fine fellow. ] am sure
We'll. I'm gla4 he is not to be here
tomorrow, ana wIll not be home for n
week BY that time ! shall be gone
back to town. Perhaps, IL the fates are
kind, / shall not see him for awhile,
until my first season is over anyway
] hear he goes 10 Germany this winter
TO finish those medical studies of his.
Marry q doctor. Ugh!'
Ruth ~shuddered and made a dlsa-
greeable face while Grandma Greyson,
delighted to see her pretty grand
daughter after an absence of three
years, hustled around making her well
come.
There were fires burning in the great
open lreplaces and, In the halls, there
were lanterns strung; while from the
big kitchen came savory smells and
the busy hum Of the maids, for 1t was
the night before Thanksgiving; and on
the morrow the great old mansion
would ring with the sound OF many
voices, for all the cousins and aunts
would come home to Grandma Grey
sons for Thanksgiving dinner.
We'll, J shall ave a good time to-
morrow said Ruth. "and after that
comes sydney and the ring"
Supper at the Greyson house was an
old time affair. The great long table
der the big old fashioned covers were
the cakes Ruth remembered SO well.
What a good looking hired man,
Grandma" said she, after supper wher
the lamps had been lighted and tho
logs made TO glow.
-. % - si-. " A--
ure. He Is our man of all work: drives
and looks after the grounds. / do MOI
know how we could get along without
him
Indeed" said Ruth, II noticed hin
before supper, when | was out looking
ct the new horses. Singular that hi
should occupy such a position"
YES" assented Grandma. But. my
dear, strange things happen, you know
In real life"
Next day Ruth became still more IN.
terested in the hired man. He took hel
to drive in the early morning, and aft
erwards drove the family to church
Then he disappeared, and she saw NJ
more of Linn until the following day
when all the cousins had departed anC
only she and Grandma Greyson were
left In the big house.
There were many places TO visit and
the next morning the handsome coach
mar drove up 10 the uOOT DeulIlu lAe
! family horses ,~and soon Rul and
Grandma We're sitting In the big sleigh
behind him md listening while he
pointed cut the objects OF interest IN
the emery Ruth listened as she had
never listened before; and even Grand
ma Greyson, living in Greytown all heI
life, found that there were many things
she did not know.
-. acre did you learn so much?'
asked Ruth of the new coachman.
II picked IL up said he, carelessly
"at home and abroad"
Abroad" exclaimed Ruth.
"les," said the hired man, but he
would say no more and in spite ol
Ruth's efforts to dtaw him out he was
quiet the rest Of the drive.
The next morning was bright ant
frosty and Grandma suggested thai
Ruth make the most OF her last day bS
visiting the Falls, ten miles away
which at this season were frozen ant
beautiful TO see.
You and the hired man can s.
alone" said Grandma: Il have some
thing to do at home"
1t looked lonesome in tie great sleigh
as Ruth and the man drove away to,
gether. He in the front seat handling
the reins, she in the back seat. al