Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-12-08
CHAPTER MIL.

81 OWE YOU A LIFELONG HATRED"
1t is not with the low hangers-on at corO-
ner's inquests that this history has now to
deal, but with a highly-respectable young
gentleman in a suit Of spotless mourning,
fashionably cut. In a glossy black hat, with
a black hat-band, the late Sir Richards
secretary, Cuthbert Craven, demands our
attention.
OF the several male characters figuring in
this strange history, decidedly Mr.. Cuthbert
Craven stands more in the place Of hero
than any of the others, and yet Oddly enough
we have seen nothing and heard but little Of
him since our opening chapter.
A fair-haircd, good-looking, well-bulit
young man, with clear blue eyes, ard q
bright open countenance, he seemed tho
personification OF truth and honesty. Who
could thereto say that he was not?
One who might nave spoken perhaps, lay
cold and dead. The mouth of another wit
ness was closed by the fear of exposure and
a police-court hanging over her head. The
rest if any there were, were far away, and
not to be feared.
"And what, | WONDER" said Mrs. Gee,
twill now become of Mr.. Craven, the secro-
tary?."
MI. Chawles was the person to whom the
remark was addressed.
perhaps her ladyship will keep him on
to see after her business" said Mr.. Chawles.
IL don't see that there is much business,
as far as my lady is concerned. to see after.
now Sir Richard is gone" said Mrs. Gee;
'and from what can make out, her lady
ship don't seem to mean to keep the place
en-
Mr.. Chawles changed the subject.
- -. n - ~ l., oar, (n 1n-n
Mr.. Craven, n really most gentlemanly
young man, keeping himself to himself,
with nothing uppish about him. For what
trouble he gives, he might almost never DO
in the house at ALL"
1t was the truth. Nothing could we'll be-
more unobtrusive than Nj. Cuthbert Cra-
yen'S demeanor since Sir Richards death.
Not that during the baronet's lifetime he
had ever made much noise, or asserted HIM
self too demonstratively in the house.
Now more like n shadow than a substance
he fitted silently through the dimly-lit man
sion, or strolled tioughtfully in the Fulham
lanes.
Still her ladyship kept her room, and in
| answer TO three messages that he had sent
her, had replied that at present she could go
into no business matters-cOuld see no one.
At twilight, upon the first day Of the
second week, Cuthbert Craven, noiselessly
opening the door of the room which Sir
Richard had used as his library, saw a figure
between him and the window. 1t was Lady
Fordyce, standing mOtionless there, gazing
into the dreary garden without.
"Who is that? What do you want?" she
asked, turning quickly.
ut Is only j, do not drive me away" he
said appealingly. I
rs it about business you wish to speak to
me? ! cannot talk now. 1t must be at some
future time"
Il have but little TO say with respect to
business" he replied. ''To the best Of my
ability j have set things in order, and your
solicitors can do all that remains. twas to
take leave Of You before i took my depart
IRE that / begged for Il few moments inter-
View
she made no answer.
u could not bear to go away without say
ing goodbye"
'If that is all, the interview need not be
a long one. / trust, Mr.. Craven, that you
may soon meet with another post that will
suit your views. If ! can do anything to
serve YOU, of course / will"
Il am very grateful to your ladyship."
Naturally, after what has occurred, you
can no longer remain here"
IL can no longer remain here" he repeat
ed. "Has what ha, happened made no diff
ference in our position"
Yes" she said, fixing her flashing eyes
upon him; Eyes, a grc { difference, and In
my sentiments, too, ii indeed they had not
changed long ago."
You rejected my-my love BEFORE" he
said, but there was u reason then, and /
did think, the first anger past, that you were
not wholly blind 10 my devotion-not wholly
deaf TO my prayers"
You were mistaken. / never loved you
never ~shall-never could"
And yet with q smile, with a kind look,
you led me on. AT your suggestion l played
spy to find out how that cold selfish villain
was deceiving YOU"
Silence. / won't have him spoken Of in
that way-by YOU"
DO you respect his memory, then, after
al you know-after all | have told you
after all / could tell YOU'D
IL do not care to hear anything
"Blt al one time you were eager enough.
That was how we became, as it were, allied.
| Do Won remember how first | found YOU had
intercepted a letter to hira, and how | help
ed t. hush up the inquiry. Then how Twas
sent by You t. the opera to dog bis steps, and
those Of that fair foreign woman whose
love he valued 50 much more taan yours?'
she made an angry gesture as though to
silence him, but he Went II