Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1903-03-28

llC WE'D nlAEAdI Ani WY -
But Miss Amden was in no mood % re-
fuse. She was in reckless temper, and
Ralph Warden had accounted on that.
One DESTROYS of widening the breach
between Alice and George would have
found it an easy. task to make a begin
ming that night.
Ralph Warden's lips moved slowly as
he seated himself beside Alice, but we
will not try to determine what he said
to himself in that crisis in more lives
than one.
II admire your cloak and hat" ex-
claimed Ralph, though the saying may
be as much a compliment to my sisters
as to your own taste. Hers are like them,
are they not?"
Very nearly: not quite. But I didn't
know you ever noticed what your lady
friends wear?"
IL don't very often. / did to-day.
Would the masculine eye detect the
d~ifferencesT"
Il think not. But it is a pity to talk
of dress on such a night as this. What
a strong and helpful sermon we have
had this evening"
Yes" said Ralph.
They made a turn in the road, and
there was George himself only a few
yards ahead. Alice put down her veil
at once. Surely fate was on the side Of
Ralph Warden's plans that night.
Get in George. won't take re-
fusal."
"Who is with YOU? Your sister,"
yes" said Ralph, with a prompt
ness which should be admired and par
doned. ''Sit on this SIDE" Ralph, as
George got in; Il will sit between you.
The night is beautiful, isn't it?
Very beautiful" said George, who
really had not thought of it before.
You needn't go home at once. | will
turn here, and we will drive owe to-
ward the shore"
lie had turned his horse down the
road leading in that direction before
either of his companions could say a
word. The two lovers were gazing
again on the scene they had looked up
on in the morning. The moonlight may
have softened the harshness of it a lit
tie. but the nan between them heard q
sob from the woman athis left, and saw
the moonlight sparkle suspiciously on
the eyelashes OF the man on his right.
And he thought grimly of himself as the
image Of ~fate-fate, with the destiny OF
two human beings in his mind.
Il found a paper of yours this morn
ing" said Ralph, slowly, land here it
is. l could hardly help seeing what it
was. | congratulate you on your bar
gain. You have bought the finest estate
about here, George 1t is remarkably
cheap at the price. | believe the deed
was signed last EVENING""
"YeS.'
"Mr. Kingsley had not fully decided
to sell until then, had he?"
Not fully. He told me his daughter
might decide to want it herself when
she is married. Mr.. Kingsley will, of
course, give her a handsome residence
somewhere, when that event takes
place, for Mr.. Jones, who is to marry
her. has no fortune of his own"
1T has been your highest ambition to
own that estate, hasn't it?"
Certainly. l wanted the finest place
here"
you ought to be supremacy, happy.
You said last night you would be when
you owned the place."
Eyes"
The answer was short. Ralph could
feel the strong man on his right trem-
BILE in spite of his efforts to control
himself, and he knew that the woman
on his left was crying softly.
"You said something last night about
your ambition to be master of that
estate. Do you remember what 1T
WASP"
Eyes, I think l do. Something boast
full, was it not?"
|, George Fenby was beginning to UNI
derstad dimly why he had received the
letter he had.
"Worse than that. Did you ever
!, think that one o~verhearing it might
: think that you meant to marry Miss
Kingsley"
, Never until now. Oh, what have ]
+ done?"
mo matter. Did you ever intend tC
!. ,nnrry hnrp Mot n word nf Oh1pnt10n
/ You've been led into answering toe
| much already to stop now. ! demand
t an answer, George. Did your"
/. The eyes of the two men met. In
Ralph's there was the determination tt
know, and. perhaps, something more
b, In George Fenby's there was surprise
[ which changed to satisfaction and in
3 dignation, which gradually faded. h,
| Never. on my honor" he answered
[ Ralph Warden stopped the horse
: They had driven far to the south
| and had now turned back toward TN
village again. In front OF them was III
@ level sweep of frozen marsh, but far
: ther on was the peaceful village, wit
t it's lighted windows, and with its rang
n of sheltering. wooded hills behind. II
s On their right was the sea, calm an
bright. He stepped into the road ant
q placed the reins in George Fenby's IN
resisting hands.
O Bring the horse home when it is al
a right he said, ''but take all the tim
s 0 wish. Here is another paper Q
q yours which | found this morning. Il
thankful tonight that so meddlesome
o man found it. Alice Arndsn am
George Fenby, / give you back your fl
d ture-and my blessing!"
lie spoke to the horse, and, obedien
@ to his word, it dashed down the roa
and left him alone.
It There is no more need Of followin
q the lovers, to be sure that all can
i right, than there is of following Il
~ " rushing mountain stream to be sure
70 finds the sea