Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1903-04-25
HAPTE /.

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Exton. cast a parting look at himself
In the cracked mirror over the little
washstand. added a few final touches to
his toilet, and sighed.
mot much Of a place to leave" as
he turned and swept the b~arely-fur-
nished room with a glance. But, STILL
I'm sorry to CO."
He was n slender young man, with
a keen, intellectual face, and carried
himself with a certain dignity, as be-
came one who had been v years the
village schoolmaster. He was only "a,
but looked much older, as the result or
hard work and study. He did not al
ways Intend to remain a simple peda-
gogue.
AS his glance fingered on the faded
hangings, the uncomfortable looking
haircloth furniture, the faded rag car
pet, 1t rested on q small trunk in the
middle of the room, and he frowned.
Il wonder what can keep the fellow"
he muttered. "He promised me faith
fully he would not d~isappoint."
Just then q timid knock sounded on
the door n presently a man entered,
a rough, ungainly fellow, In a dirty can
vas suit, whose wild hair and beard
made him resemble one of those gro
tesque toys that are sold about the
streets during the holidays.
wei, here 1 be-" said the newcomer
In a deep, DaSS voice.
Very good, Jim. Now, you will take
this trunk to the station, without say
ing whose 1t is. Let no one know l am
going. Understand"
Sure"
Here is for your trouble" and from
a slender purse the young man passed
over a silver piece, which the other, af-
ter biting. thrust In pocket. Their he
shouldered the trunk, and, with a
49, -I-AA 49, - ,-ArN a,tf rrtNh
his burden through the door.
Bennett waited until the heard the
mans step on the front porch, then,
with a parting look around the room
that had been his home for five years,
he blew out the lamp and slipped down
the stairs and into the night.
He made his way rapidly along he
country road, which, without the moon
light to guide him, he could have raw
ersed safely, he knew 1t so well. Pass
ing a few dark houses, he came at last
to the entrance Of an extensive estate,
and paused for a before the
great iron gate. 1t seemed to him that
the stone lions bearing shields on the
pillars on each side Of the way were
grinning at MIN derisively. Il wonder
If l shall ever see this place again." he
murmured. Am 1 acting for the best?
/ hope So" Then, as he saw a faint
light still glimmered in the gatekeeper's
little house, he passed rapidly on. Fur
Their he found q hole in the tall hedge,
and wriggling through, entered the
park.
Evidently, 1t was not the first time
that he had found his way into the
grounds in this surreptitious way, for
here. where the old trees interlaced, not
20 Z Nam of moonlight penetrated the
pla Yet he walked on without
stu, - through the blaCkness, COM
iT-g pi sse" ty to another hedge, scarcely
K0tsr than his shoulder. A silvery
radiance shone over this part Of the
park. Here he paused for a moment to
listen, then STEPPED back again into the
shadows. There was the sound Of
rustling leaves, and then a man ap-
peared In the moonlight.
Dick could only make out that he
was tall and ragged, for his face was in
the shadow Of an OEerhanEing .0ugh.
Only for n moment did the stranger
stand there, when he turned ana made
Off In the direction OF the house. the
lights OF which could be seen cleaning
IN the distance.
What can his rufian DO doing
here?" muttered the schoolmaster, as
he came out into the path again. "A
poaCher, no doubt, after Elison's fish.
Better buy such things than have q
stocked lake to attract all the wander
ing vagabonds In the country"
He approached the hedge again,
peered cautiously over, and, catching
sight of something white in the dis
lance, uttered a low whistle. The young
woman, for such the white object was,
running forward, opened a gate in the
hedge near at hand, and came toward
him.
ooh, Dick!' she began impulsively,
lifting her face to his, what does it
what can 1t all mean?"
Il will tell you-but not here. Come,
we are far too near the hous to talk In
peace" and he drew her away into the
shadows, but still in sight Of the moor
lit path.
Finding a fallen tree, he pressed her
to sit down, and then took a seat beside
her.
Now, then, tell me quickly. Don't
you see. / am burning with anxiety"
she said.
There is little more to tell you than
that I think It best to &c away. It is
only q question oF lime before l should
be sent Your mother has learned of
our attachment, and she could easily
break 1t off, she believes"
"She little knows me-" replied the
girl, firmly. After all, what can she
do?" .
well, the first step would be to get
your father to discharge me, and that, I
believe, he contemplates doing, though
ha has been friendly to the last. Still,
she could persuade him. l feel sure OF
IT. Then, you see, l would have to go
anyway"
But what Is to become Of me
what am 1 to do?" almost in tears. She
was little more than a child, barely II.
IT don't want you to go-I won't have
I'll" with a stamp of the foot.
my dear. ] am acting for the best"
firmly. MY usefulness here Is over,
and to remain would only make matters
more disagreeable for you, as well as
me. I am going to the city. where there
Is some chance for me to show my abil-
fly, If 1 have any. There is no chance
for me to rise Itara, and whom 1 have
made a competence, and am In a posi-
ton to take care of you as you deserve,
why, we will marry, in spite Of the
world"
And will that be very long-very,
very long?" she asked, in a doleful
voice, that caused him to laugh.
Not long, If the world appreciates
my transcendent genius" with a flip
pant air. mot long, If hard work and
APPLICATION viii lift me 70 a respectable
place in society"
Still, 1 think 1t is very mean Of you
to CO." poutingly.
Don't think ii Is not a wrench for
me to part from you"
But the girl refused to be comforted,
and it was only through lavish endear-
ments and many promises that she be-
came more composed and reasonable,
and began to share his views, that II
was for the best.
But we can't part this way" she
protested. II must give you something
to remember me by. Just wait here for
a ONE until 1 run over to the house,
1 shall not be gone long" and, before he
had a chance to protest that a souvenir
was not necessary, she had fitted away
out beyond the light into the shadows.
After she had gone he found himself
listening to a myriad of voices of the
forest, that seemed to fall with irritat-