Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1907-11-16
CHAPTER H.
wIIE GAINTLET.

THE GAUNTLET
EdEemCrC was beautiful estate
overlooking the Great South Bay, just
east OF Babylon Across the waters of
the bay the low dunes Of Fire Island
We're visible with the lighthouse point
ing upward its white finger Of warning
70 east and west low wooded islets
closed In the horizon, while 20 the
north. the tall trees Of a broad stretch
of woodland looked down upon the
house. a pretty bOathOuse and pier
adorned the beach and there was ey-
cry other device OF bowling alley
gymnasium. tennis court and what
nor that could add to the amusement
of summer sOjOuruers. There were
many pretty walks among the trees
many fragrant hooks where natures
sway had not been disputed, but per
hapS the most attractive corner Of the
place was the walk beyond the bowl
ing alley beneath graceful pergOla,
covered with vines I'm summer. leading
TO a shady bower commanding q wide
view of the bay. from which ter
raced walk descended 10 the water
1t was essentially summer play
house and yet John DrysdHIc looking
through the blurred glass of the car
riage that had brought him from the
station through the sudden April
''A' NV llf Nii' 'It ilN 'AlllltN ltfl-
~ from the windows warmth Of well
come that summer could not show.
A pile of logs was blazing I'm the hall
fireplace, but he paused only for "A
moment To get off the outdoor chill
and then ran up 10 his room To dress
for dinner He knew the customs of
the house and hc hoped for "a reward if
he dressed promptly.
Nor was ne disappointed. for when
he came down the stair some fifteen
minutes later he saw standing before
the fire "a real figure He paused
moment TO contemplate 1.-THE white
shoulders rising from "a gown OF rich.
dark red the poise of the head with
its black coiffure, the grace of the arm
hanging idly by her side
She was gazing inteutly into the fire,
deep in thought and for an instant
she did not hear him Then she turned
with that rare smile which only a
woman Of ardent temperament gives
To only one man in the world
Il heard you drive up she said.
! thought you might remember our
old habit
AS if could forget it. DO YOU
know and he held her at arms length
20 look at her you take my breath
away. But then, YOU always do. My
luck seems too completely, supremely
perfect 10 be true"
Hrr color deepencd little under
his gaze but her eyes did not waver
Il don't want you 90 live in state Of
perpetual breathlessness." she said
oh, you don't know what a delight
ful state IL is. There's nothing in my
appearance TO cause palptatiou OF the
heart. Just moment ago, when /
came 10 the turn OF the stair and
looked down aud saw you standing
here, do you know | was appalled, at
the sheer wonder OF the thing She
is mine | said to myself She is mine
and yet | couldn't quite believe tit
seemed too stupendous 100 utterly abb
surd. What have done to deserve
you?'
There was something very touching
I'm the sincerity Of the frank boyish
face. She answered with pressure
of the hand which said more than
words.
1 felt a good deal as that page felt"
he went on after a moment. who
looked up at Kate the Queen she
never could be wronged, be poor. he
sighed, need him to help her"
And yet in the end she did need
him. didn't she? Perhaps" and her
face changed and she looked away into
the fire again, perhaps | may need
you-may have TO ask great sacrifice
of YOU
ASK IT," he said eagerly. Ask any
thing but that | give YOU up"
Il have already asked one thing"
she said slowly, looking at him with
"A face very gentle. No little thing
your trust-your confidence, your"
You had no need to ask it, and he
caught her hands again 1t was
yours already"
And you will be mine always"
can you doubt it?"
"No-and shall be glad to remem-
ber it.
Not long ago he said looking at
her, friend OF mine gave me some
good advice"
which was ."
That | be happy in having YOU.
without conditions: that ! try 10 live
up to you and be worthy OF you; that
| try To do something worth while for
your sake"
She had listened with raised brows
Il didn't know | was a subject OF
discussion"
You're not-but you sent me to
him"
"Oh-Mr Godfrey" a little cloud
came upon her face; she opened her
lips 10 say something more but
step sounded on the stair and Tremaine
came slowly down There was a look
on his face not pleasant to see. but he
hdd banished all trace Of it as he came
forward to greet them
When the men joined the women
after dinner they found Miss Croydon
sitting at the piano idly touching the
keys. Tremaine went to her with a
directness that argued purpose She
looked up, expecting perhaps To see
Drysdalei her eyes narrowed and hard
ened as they met Tremaine's
I've been wanting to ask you TO
sing he said, apparently not notic-
ing her change OF expression, but
feared you might think me bold You
see, | am taking the bull by the horns.
Some instinct told me"
The instinct is wrong" she inter-
rupted dropping her eyes TO the key
board. Il do not sing"
NO? Then l shall miss great !
pleasure which l had promised my
self You have a singing voice"
There was penetrating fascination |
about the man which compelled her /
TO lift her eyes TO his. He was smil- !
ing radiant triumphant as n general. !
confident OF victory, just swinging into 1
battle. She shivered slightly, as he |
bent closer and added something i'm |
a tone of voice too low to be heard by |
rhe others in the room.
She flushed and her fingers crashed
out an indignant chord OF protest.