The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1894-03-02

when she suggested inviting Kadstock
to lunch with them on the following
Sunday, Duke turned upon her in Il
sudden outburst of fierce anger.
What on earth can you see in that
old scoundrel that you must be having
him here morning, noon ANA night!
he asked IN Il shaking voice. Isn't
it enough for you that he's going to be
my RUM
Without another word, without al
other glance at his wife, who fell back
in speechlcss horror, he dashed out OF
the house, leaving her to put what con-
strnction she pleased upon this out
burst She said nothing about it to
Minna. hoping for an explanation from
her husband. That evening on his re-
turn from the city, he did, indeed.
try to laugh off the effects Of his
only reused in Cicely the certainty that
they had some serious meaning.
OF course Mr.. Joseph Radstock got
no more invitations to Dial House.
But he was not to be shaken off SO cas-
lily.
One evening. shortly before the time
at which Duke was expected home
from the city, one Of the housemaids
came to inform her mistress that Mr..
Radstock was outside but that she
didn't like to let him in as she was
sure he was tipsy.
And he's behaving in such Il way,
ma am. not civil like he used to be,
but says he will come in, and he's rs
good as anybody here, and if he's not
let in it will be worse for everybody.
And he's pulling away at the bell and
making disturbance. Shall l send
to the stables and get Latham to send
him away, ma'amy'
No" said Cicely, very quietly, rising
and coming to the door, II will go and
speak to him."
The lady thought, as we'll she might,
that the constant kindness she had
shown him would give her influence
with him, But Joseph Radstock saw
in gentleneSs and courtesy only weak
ness, and in truth he felt much great
er contempt for Cicely than for her
patronizing and occasionally bullying
husband. At the first sight of him. on
opening the front door. she doubted
her powers. He had been drinking
and there was Il confidential swagger
in his manner and 4 s,lrly insolence
in his tone which recalled Dukes
alarming words. and with which she
felt unable to cope.
Good evening, Mr. Radstock," she
began, trying to be conciliatory. If
you want to see my husband, he
mo, l don't want to see your hus-
band: | see quite as much as | want
OF him at the Office. l want dinner,
and I shall be obliged if you'll invite
me to have one. You'll excuse my max
ing SO free? But you and l were
always pals if | may make bold to say
So
1t was quite clear that conciliatOry
manners were thrown away upol the
half -tipsy rascal; and Cicely, with an
icy fear at heart, resolved to assume a
new attitude and learn the worst. She
therefore drew herself Up and said,
with cold dignity:
Il am afraid you oyerrate the
strength OF our friendship, Mr.. Rad
stock. | cannot invite you to Dime.
this evening"
He gave a drunken laugh, and put
his foot inside the door, as she was
about to close it.
wait a bit. Il shall stay here until
your hushand-my dear nephew
comes back, and then S-c whether you
will invite me or not A pretty thing
for gentleman to be insultad by
Chit hike you at the house Of his own
nephew"
C;cely did not answer She had
caught sight Of her husband at the 9th
er side of the wide road and She wait
ed with a loudly beating heart for his
approach II only he would seize the
insolent wretch by the collar. as would,
she knew, be his natural impulse. her
mind would be relieved If, on the
other hand Her heart sank rs she
saw the look of sick anxiety which
Dukes face assumed when he caught
sight Of his uncln.
Radstock. hearing footsteps behind
him. turned and laughed loudly
Here. Duke" he said with Il malig
nalft nod Of the head toward Cicely,
I've been begging this wife of yours
for an invitation to dinner, and ma
dams too proud to give it me. I'm not
good enough, | suppose. Ha, ha."
Duke ScoWled, not ut him, but at
Cicely
LET him in, he said shortly
And Cicely, without a word moved
back from the doorway, feeling be-
numbed by fear. She went up to the
door OF Minnas room. where the young
girl was dressing for dinner. Suppress
lHS eACittlIEtLlOit. W w llClI lltl SlSltl-
in-law gave utterance at sight Of her
pale face. Cieely whispered:
Joseph Rallsstock is here. Don't be
uisciyil to him tonight, whatever he
says or does. He is tipsy, and / am
afraid-'
Her voice faltered and she stopped.
But the look on her flee needed no in
terpretatiOn to the clever London girl.
Minna threw a loving arm round her
neck.
Don't be afraid" she whispered
I'll be g,rite good. You think he has
got some hold on Dukey'