Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1903-04-11


MY child. my child."
Raymond was gazing upon her with
a deeply penetrating gaze. ! saw a
once that our little russ was, with hin
at least, blown to the winds.
"Ana 1 mistaken" he asked of me II
o. whisper, as Aurelia's ~preoccupatioi
shielded her from inquiry, "or is thi
Mrs. Desmond, the widow of my OLE
friend Harry?"
But Aurelia's quick ear caught tn
sound. She blushed crimson, and OK
tending her han with the artlessnesi
OF a child, exclaimed:
You knew my husband? All. thei
you Will be the friend of his wife ant
refrain from exposing her to the sharI
comments of the world. Nc one know
my history here but Mrs. Earl"
Raymond readily assured her OF hi
discretion, and thinking to divert he
attention from the embarrassing ques
I ton, asked her opinion of the picture.
1T is perfect. So like my own littl
Daisy, too. All, Mr.. Raymond, I SHOULD,
have thought only a mothers hear
could have nourished such an inspira
ton.
Raymond blushed at the rather EN-
~barrassing compliment.
I'VE artists" he said. "see beauty 1,
all its forms"
That visit to Raymond's studio prove,
the turning point in Aurelia's history
Raymond came often afterward to Sc,
uS, anu III Ills presence Sne was a noe |
once more. Already l began to built
the most gorgeous a~ir-castles for IN,
two friends, rosy as the hues of sun
set.
l have never inquired of Aurelia con
corning her acquaintance with the lad,
whom we had met in Raymond's stu
dio, thinking that it might, perhaps, b
an unpleasant topic. But, sitting on
day In her room, a sketch dropped from
her portfolio. My eye rested upon l
only a moment-for she immediatel,
stopped and replaced it-but it's char
acteristic was not to be readily appre
'hended 1t was a mere outline Of flow
ing robes, heavy fur mantle, noddin;
plumes and dainty muff; but the fac
was not that OF the handsome womal
we had seen at Raymond's, but tn
ugly and distorted head OF a serpent
while dimly through the length of tn
fgure l could trace the scaly serpen
tine evolutions and singing tail whic.
formed the proper continuation of tina
odious head. 1t was a strange con
ception to come from the brain of m.
-magnanimous and high-souled friend.
"Dost thou see her-dost thou not Sc
her?" exclaimed Aurelia one day, run
ming into my room with eyes distende
and hair flowing like a spirit.
/ followed the direction of her cage
hand, n looking out, saw that sam
elegant lady entering the gate.
A miHlte later the servan brough
up her card.
Aurelia would not go down..
Mrs. Desmond desires to be excused
this morning." 1 said, coolly, 10 m.
caller.
'Indeed!' replied Mrs. Mountjoy. "
regret it extremely, l assure you. 1t 1
some years since l have met Mrs. Des
mond, and 1t would give me a grea
pleasure to renew her acquaintance"
Mrs. Mountjoy was rising to go.
did not care to have any more to So
to her han possible, and probably di
Vining my wishes, she continued NOV
ing toward the door and was soon gone
l confess l was more than surprise
at such importantly from Mrs. Harol
Mountjoy. Her husband was old, veal
thy, and gentle; her position as a socia
leader, at present an enviable one, how
ever unenviably attained. Why sh
should specially care unless from som
sinister motive, to renew her %acquaint
ance with Aurelia, I did not at first Sc
clearly. But in an instant / remem
bered her earnest and impressive man
ner, as she bade Raymond adieu, tina
n q great light illuminet
mind. l vas more thar ever de
termined hat Mrs. Mountjoy SHOULD
not succeed in this pernicious schem
OF hers.
Raymond called tina evening. Au
relia happened to be upstairs at tn
time, writing a letter, SO that I en-
the wished-for opportunity O.
~tete-a-tete with him.
"A friend Of yours called here to
day." I said, who, 1t seems, is also al
old acquaintance Of Aurelia's-Mrs
Mountjoy. She is an interesting char
acter; do tell me about her."
Raymond smiled the peculiar smil
Of a man of the world.
Yes. She and Aurelia were rival
once, I think" said he.
d you know, Raymond" said
that I suspect that woman of design
upon you"
Raymond looked embarrassed.
II was afraid Of that, too, at on
time, my dear friend, but Aurelia's no
Bile countenance and pure, childlik,
heart awoke me 10 my danger" sal
he, briefly. Her face is a perpetua
Raymond's declaration which fol
a short time after the above con
versation, took Aurelia quite by sur
prise. l was not disappointed-aor,
think, was he-that she gave him a.
refusal.
Il am willing to be, nay I am prou
10 be his friend, his sister even, but
have been a wife once, and it is over
| cannot be again." said Aurelia, /
over the affair with me. II
Easter and springtime are comm
with fresh hopes" she faltered.
1t was nearly spring, and Aureli
returned to her quiet home. Raymon
often to see me, and 1 knew tina
ne had not forgotten Aurelia. Mr.. Har
Did Mountjoy died that spring and LEI
his widow free in the exercise of he
talents. She frequented Ray
nond's studio more than ever, but t
10 effect. l passed her once or twic
IN the street, and her glance at me wa
Aurelia wrote frequently, and say
~ her letters that her home was not I
Ter what 1t had once been.
Il am haunted she wrote to me T.
early autumn. Il have a wan
which nothing Satisfies
Il have told you more than I mean
o, but not more Than my heart oftel
ompels me to think" she wrote once
OF course, I had no right to tell Ray
nond all this, but 1 did say to him, on
YOU are looking worn. Why don
GU spend some of these glorious 90
ober days in the country? Run dow
With my love to Aurelia, and an invita-
ion to come back and spend the winte
With me-"
I'll CO." he said. 1T will be the bes
nedicine for me-"
When he came back, his countenanc
radiant with JOY.
Are you well paid for going?"
uestioned him.
Amply. She would give me no prom
Sc, but / left a ring upon her finger
n! she is a jewell
When Easter came again, I wen