Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1891-02-20

u have I.ctid 4 man \"l't lil>tI III amer
" Ken lie approached the dool-alid lie was
now observing that man With an ar ot c"T-
ioS.ty which was already assuming the Az
pcaraucc of d,>lru>t. That Herbert. on his
side, resented the captain critical cXatn!nI-
ton Of A.m vas plainly visible in his face.
Aftcl ciaucc al Bcnnydock, he asked Mrs.
Prcsty who that gentleman was.
Il may he mistaken he added, "hut |
thought your friend looked n me just now
as il lie knew ne.
Il have met yuu. 81. before this" The
captain made i..c rcp,y with a courteous
compuSurt Of tone and manner which al'-
parentlv reminded llclhtr; Of the claims of
rolitencsS.
MAY ask where Lad the honor of see
ing YOU" he inquired
We passed each other in the hall at the
hotel q, Sandy,eal. You had Il Young lady
with you.''
Your memory is better one than mine,
sir. fail 10 remember the circumstance to
which you refer
Bennydeck let the matter rest there.
Struck by the remarkable appearance Of en-
barrassment in Mrs. Presty's manner-aid
feeling lin spite of IIerbert's rolitenesS Of
languaCe) increased di>truSt of the man
whom he Lad found visiting her-he thought
il might not be amiSs To hint that she could
rely on him in case of secessity. Il ain
afraid have Interrupted Il confidential in
tcryirw," he began, land ought perhaps 10
explain"
Mis-. Prcsty listened absently; preoccupied
By the fear that Herbert would provoke q
dangerous disclosure, and by the difficulty of
discovering a means of preventing it. She
interrupted the captain.
Excuse me tor one moment; | have
word to say to this gentleman Bennydeck
Immediately drew back and Mrs. Presty
lowered her voice. III You wish to See
Kitty" she resumed. attacking Herbert on
his weak side, 1t depends entirely on your
discretion"
what do you mean by discretion?'
''Bc careful not to speak of our family
troub.cS-and promise you shall see Kitty
That is what mcan.''
Herbert declined to say whether he would
be careful or not. He was determined to
find out. first, with what purpose Bennydeck
had entered the room. Tile gentleman was
about to explain himself to you," he said to
Mrs. PreSty. ''Why don't you give him the
opportunity?'
She had no choice but to Submit-in ap-
pearance at least. Never had she hated Her.
bert as she hated him at that moment. The
captain went on with his explanation. lie
had his reasons (he said) for hesitating, in
the first instance, 10 present himself unn-
vited, and he had accordingly retired. On
second thoughts however, he had returned,
In the hope
''ln the hope" Herbert interpOsed, "of
seeing Mrs. PreSty's daughter?'
THAT was one of my motives" Benny.
deck answered.
us it indiscreet to inquire what the other
| motive was?"
Not at all. ] heard strangers voice,
| speaking in tone which, to say the least OF
1t, is not customary in lady's room; and
thought"
Herbert interrupted him again. "And you
thought your interference might be welcome
to the lady. Am right?'
Quite right"
Am making another lucky guess IL
suppose myself to be speaking to Capt
BennydeckT'
II shall be glad to hear, sir. how you have
arrived at the knowledge of my name"
shall we say, captain, that 1 have ar.
! rived at it by instinct"
His face, as he made that reply, alarmed
Mrs. Presty. She cast look at him, partly
OF entreaty, partly of warning. No effect
was produced by the look. He continued,
In tone of ironical compliment: you
must pay the penalty of being a public char.
acter. Your marriage is announced in the
newspapers"
81 seldom read the newspapers"
"Ah, Indeed? Perhaps the report is not
true? AS YOU don't read the newspapers
allow me to repeat it. You are engaged to
| marry the beautiful widow, Mrs. Ormond.'
think quote those last words correctly"
Mrs. Presty suddenly got up. With an
inscrutable face that told no tales she adj
vanced to the door. Herbert's insane jeal-
ousy of the man who was about to become
| GATHERINGS husband had led him into a ser
ious error; he had driven GATHERINGS mother
| to desperation. In that state of mind she
recovered her lost audacity, as a matter of
course. Opening the door, she turned round
to the two men, with n magnificent impu.
dence of manner which i'm her happiest mo-
ments she had never surpassed.
! Il am sorry to interrupt this interesting
conversation" she said; but have stupid.
| ly forgotten one of my domestic duties. You
will allow me to return, and listen with re-
newed pleasure. when my household bust
ness is of my mind. / shall hope to find you
both more polite to each other than ever,
when 1 come back" She was in such a
frenzy of suppressed rage that she actually
kissed her hand to them as she left the room
| Bennydeck looked after her, convinced
| that some sinister purpose was concealed
under Mrs. PreSty'S false excuses, and wholly
unable to imagine what that purpose might
10
| q quarrel on the captain.
"As remarked just now" he proceeded,
newspaper reports are not always to be
| trusted. Do you seriously mean, my dear
sir. to marry Mrs. Ormond?'
II look forward to that honor and that
happiness. But am at loss to know how
| it interests you"
I'm that case allow me to enlighten YOU.
Ny name is Herbert Linley."
He has held his name in reserve, feeling
certain of the effect which he would produce
when he pronounced it. The result took
him completely by surprise. Not the slight
est appearance of agitation showed itself in
Bennydeck's manner. On the contrary, he
looked as if there was something that inter-
eSted him in the discovery of the name
"You are probably related to a friend Of
"WhO is your friendY'
"Mr. Randall Linley"
Herbert was entirely unprepared for this
discovery. Once more the captain had got
the best Of it.
Are you and Randall Linley intimate
friends?" he inquired, as soon as he had re-
covered himself.
'Most intimate"
ITS strange that ne should never have
mentioned me on any occasion when you and
he were together"
1T does, indeed, seem strange"
| Herbert paused. His brothers keen SENSE
Of the disgrace that he had inflicted on the
family required to his memory. lie began to
understand Randal's otherwise unaccOunt.
able silence.
Are you nearly related to Mr.. Randall
Linleyr' the captain asked.
II am his elder brother"
Ignorant on his part Of the family dis
grace, Bennydeck heard that reply with
amazement From his point of view it was
impossible to account for Randars silence.
"Will you think me very inquisitive," Her
bert resumed, IF ask whether my brother
| approves of your marriage%'
phere was q change in his tone as he put
that question, which warned Bennydeck to
| be on his guard. IL have not yet consulted
my friends opinion" he answered, shortly.
Herbert threw Oft the mask. 'In the
meantime you shall have my opinion" he
said. "Your marriage Is a crime-and
mean to prevent it."
The captain left his chair, and sternly
| faced the man who had spoken thOse inSO-