The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1886-12-29
CHAPTER XIV.
DEFENSE

During the next few days we were busy
getting quartz down from the "Rank "
Broener called daily TO see Pratt who con-
tinued in thesame condition of imbecility and
physically seemed neither better nor worse.
Broener seemed also to have made a favor
able impression on Hillyear noticed them
lingering about the door holding those
lengthy eve-of- parting conversations always
betokening that two people have found some
topic of common interest and a consequent
bond of sympathy between them. Only, in
this case, knew or rather felt that the bond
was manufactured by Broener for the occa-
sion and concluded it was for the purpose Of
winning the dog-like allegiance of HiIlyear
from Pratt and transferring it to himself
thereby making more secure whatever of
Pratt's secrets or differences concerning the
Bank" Hillyear might possess.
Meantime a steady estrangement was grow
ing between myself and Broener II came
of my thought, suspense, uncertainty and
jealousy regarding Blanche Sefton-or rath
er the presumed Blanche Seton It was
gradual in growth, like the GOODNESS of the
early autumn certain to terminate in the
iciness of winter, winter which must ever
come between two people when one or both
the cause lay with me. l was a brooder of
the worst type. | would live over and over
in mind all that imagination, stirred up to
redoubled action by jealousy, created for me
regarding the matter. l began to dislike
Broener for his superiority in many things
over myself-a superiority was obliged to
acknowledge. Dwelling on this made me
realize more and more his inherent gift of
command-command first of himself, next
of his fellows-command not ostentatiouslY
asserted with pOmp and bluster, but com
mand based on tact, the art of saying the
right word and doing the right thing at the
right time and place. Broener seemed to
know where lay the door to every persons
good will: more he knew how to open it.
This reflection seemed to germinate a more
disagreeable idea, that despite all Broener
had done for me, was but his creature He
was ruling and influencing me as he did
others and this last thought smote me
hardD stood to him as Hillyear had to Pratt
when Pratt was himself
So the cloud the cloud l alone made ont
of my thought came between us and grew
darker and darker, and more and more chilly.
Yet our external intercourse was much the
same as ever-at least we attempted TO make
it so, though the very attempts served but to
reveal the change more clearly
resolved at last to have the secret out of
him If he would not speak Blanche Seftons
name / would. So, one day, as we were COM
ing down from the Bank" laden each with
forty pounds of rich quartz, said in as In
different a tone as could assume: THAT
girl who played looks to me like one knew
home named Blanche Seton"
''Your friend has reason to be proud Of the
resemblance" replied Broener, in a careless
way Then he added, in lower tone: 1--WE
mustn't talk loud here Bid Settlers crowd
are working but hundred feet below Us,
and Setter is an artistic and accomplished
busybody, with one ear always open for
other peoples business"
No sooner were the words out of my mouth !
than saw that had now laid myself fully
open to Broener. That he had my secret, IL
secret there was, without any exchange in
return. He now knew the cause OF my
changed manner In nautical language, {
had given him all the marks and bearings of
the channel and the course he should steer.
Then hated and admired him at the same
time for the readiness with which, saw, he
had parried my question. That readiness,
after few moments reflection, only made
me more miserable. Because, / thought, he
must know her name, and if it were not
Blanche, what occasion would there be for
his concealing itl So, then, it was Blanche
But Blanche may have given him false
name There was hope. But what if she
has2 Is she not Blanche stilll was getting
in that state where my mind refused to
work in proper fashion. If kept on in this