Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1902-09-18
CHAPTER KI.

III was at IIt tlOSC WI uus Ns''" '""
appeared to Alice longer and more lonely
than usual, that her uncle entered the
apartment where she and her auri were
sitting. with an open letter In his hand.
"Ts 1t from homer said his wife, who
still fondly gave that appcllation to her
native land.
eyes" he replied ut is from my wild
owed sister, Deborah Elliston."
mo bad news, hope" said Mrs. Wal
worth, noticing that her husband looked
gravcr even than usual
"Yes; the angel of death has entered
her dwelling, and taken one of her daugh-
ters." u
(Which one?'
elizabeth, and she is alone now.
"But where Is RebeccaW
married, and many miles distant. She
begs that we will give her Alice for n
year, whose presence. she thinks, VIII
cheer her spirits, and help to restore her
health"
A shade for few moments dimmed the
brightness OF Mrs. WaiwOrths counte-
nance.
"How can we spare herT said she.
"DO we need her presence rs much as
Deborah docs?" Mr.. Walworth inquired,
in an accent which carried with ii de-
gree of repr00f.
81 think we don't, yet her going or re-
manning is not question for us to de-
eide. Would you like to go, AliceW
IF 1t were not for leaving you.
should" replied Alice, slightly coloring,
for she thought OF Harleigh, and the long
time which must elapse before she could
hope to zee him again, unless she com
piled with the request Of Mrs. Elliston.
The subject was now dropped. and
Alice sat apparently calm, while her
uncle and aunt kept up a desultory con
versation. But when she was in her own
room she gave way to burst of tears
produced by strange mngling Of joy
and sorrow.
miss AIicep'
Alice started little, and looking round,
saw Silas Watkins.
Good morning Slas," said she, with a
smile. at Is a long time since | saw
you"
i've been gone on short fishing
y'y'ge. meant to see you before went,
but had to go away so sudden that
had no convenient chance"
"WhyT
"If you think it isn't takin' too much
liberty, should like to ask you ques-
ton"
by no means"
well. then. l should like to have you
tell me IL you ever gave trinket, which
was fastened to blue ribbon you wore
round your neck, to that proud English
woman. Mildred DacresT'
II never did. Why do you wish to
knowT
"You know Kitty Chessman, the pretty
housemaid that used to live at your I'M
cle's, has. for a number of months past.
been at Mr.. Wyndham's, where Mildred
Dacres made 1t her home, before she
went to England"
Eyes"
We'll. one day she had been to see
her mother. She was on her way back.
and sat down on a rock close to clump
OF willows. She hadn't been there long
before she heard voices, and peeping
through the willows, she saw Mildred
Dacres and Gilbert Falkland. When
they had arrived right off against where
she sat. she saw Miss Dacres take some
thing from her pocket and give it to Falk.
land. They halted little, while Falk.
land examined 1t. aud that gave her q
chance to see that 1t was trinket fast
ened to blue ribbon, which she was
very certain she had seen you wear"
What did Mildred say?"
"She couldn't make out all that sbs
said, she spoke 80 low, but she heard
10, Ia, II.
by any fair means she came by 1t. Ant
then. again. she said she knew prett,
well that you sat too great store by 4
to give IL away"
20, why did htildreJ do thatP
ut was for MI good purpose, you ma,
be certain of thai. Mildred Dacres is |
wicked woman. rf you had only seeI
the ley glitter in her eyes, as did once
you never would have trusted her.
have faced Indians and wild beasts, with
out my courage ever failing me: but tina
look OF hers made me shudder, and some
how took all my courage away, Just a
II a serpent had looked me la the eye
that 1 knew was gOin' to spring upon IN
aud coil round my neck the very mex
minute, without my havin' any means [
prevent it,"
Alice had. on enc or two occasion,
caught mere CLEAN OF what Silas Wa
kins had designated as the icy glitter, an
the emotions inspired by 1t were far frol
being pleasant. and in a slight degrC
even resembled those he had described.
Farewell Silas,' said she, giving hi
her hand. 81 thank you for your counse
and shall remember it,"
AS Alice turned into the path viii,
led towards home. Silas drew the baC
of his hand across his eyes.
THAT girl" said he, rs he stood waite
ing her till turn in the path hid h
from view. "as my wife and have oft,
said. comes nearer 10 my idea OF an ang
than any palrson ! ever saw walk d
airth. and I've heard Hez Looney say q
same"
That evening 1t was decided that Ali
should go to England. and immedia
preparations were made for her depal
ure.
CHAPTER XII.
Mrs. Blilston. Mr.. Walworth's sist
resided In a respectable quarter OF (
great British metropolis. Leaden cloud
had all day darkened the autumn sky.