Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1895-01-19
CHAPTER XXXIiI.
FlcE TO FACE.

hDDul tus, W uIScONct VIII tie occupants
might be. | could sec only two-George
kedruth and his moihet. The old LADY,
looking very white and stately In her robe
OF black velvet, her snowy hair neatly ar
ranged under some black lace, sat bolt up
right in n quaint oak chair. working at tome
fancy-work. Near 10 ter was her son. loung-
Inc care.essly In a low easy-chair, with his
legs crossed, and an open book upon his
knee.
My unceremonioGs entry startled both
mother and son. They both looked at me
with an expression which was by no means
amiable. They both asked what my business
was there that night.
Before speaking, | looked again around the
room. l wished TO ascertain ii Madeline was
there. Apparently, she was not. Then |
looked at the old lady, and hesltated again.
After all, she was his mother, and she loved
him. Where was the use OF giving her pain?
So | turned TO him and said, as quietly as |
could:
MY business is with you, sir. What l
have to say had better he said to you alone"
He moved u~neasily in his seat, and darted
at me from under his brows a look of bitter
hatred. thought his face grew very pale.
but he made an effort to preserve his cold
manner.
You are very mysterious he replied;
but since you have thought it worth your
while TO force your way upon us as You have
done, you had better say your say and go,
before | order the servants to turn you out"
You had better be careful / replied.
"Once more 1 warn you-what you have to
hear had better he heard by you alone!'
He looked In my face again, and something
he saw there convinced him of the truth of
my words. lie rose, and, throwing his book
aside. said, with well-assumed carelessness:
"Very we'll, since you will have 1t so; come
out on the terrace and speak there
He made a movement forward and | was
about TO follow him, when there was another
interruption of a most unexpected kind. Old
Mrs. Redruth rose, and, making a stately
motion with her hand, said:
George, you will stay here"
She was very white, and her hands were
twitching ~neryously. Seeing this, RedTuth
stepped forward with a look of deep anxiety
OIL his face.
Mother" he said, don't agitate yourself,
for Gods sake. Let me 20 with him for q
moment"
YOU shall not leave me, George" she an
s~ered. If he means to insult you, let him
e so before YOU mothers FACET
The strange turn things were taking
amazed me, and | cried:
II insult him? You don't know what YOU
are saying when you talk to me like that. l
nave returned TO my home to obtain JUSTICE;
TO force q bitter wrong to be riglted. / am
here for that now."
1t was now George Redruth's turn to be
agitated. Turning on me a face livid with
terror, he said:
my mother Is not we'll. Leave the house.
l implore you, or God knows how this inter-
view will endw
This l refused to do.
whatever happens.'I said, mo blame
can be attached To me-. l am willing to speak
to you alone; but speak / mean to before 1
leave this house tonight. Tell me-is ID true
that in two days you propose TO wed Miss
Grahamy'
He was about to answer me, but his moth
er interrupted him.
"Yes,' she replied; lit Is true. Now, sir.
what have you 10 sayg'
This; that your son had better think well
before he goes to lead that lady to the altar;
because he knows as well as l that that mar.
riage can never be-"
George, what does he meany' asked the
49, s@oss shEih OhS w tffOtsANa IA
bling agitation.
For Gods sake, mother, keep calm!' said
George Redruth, who was himself terribly
agitated; then he turned again to me. Tire
lawney, leave the house." he said. If you
have anything to say to me seek me again;
my mother Is Ill, and q scene such AS this
promises to be, will kill herr
II told you 1 was willing to speak to you
alone" i said; but since that can't be, other
folk must hear. l am here to-day to ask for
Justice; you best know why and for whom.
do you mean to do it?'
He hesitated for a moment; then he said,
g~lancing nervously about him:
You speak In riddles, which I fail TO UNI
derstand.".
You had best try" I returned. irritated
beyond measure by the strange GOODNESS of
his amer. You know that you have lone
. wrong-do you mean to right it!.'
BY this time he had apparently made up
his mind rs to his course OF conduct. for he
replied. with that same cold sheer upon his
lips:
Again, I tell you, l fail to understand
you"
Then l will make my meaning clear. l
Am speaking Of the woman whose heart you
have broken and whose life you have de-
stroyed; In the name OF my cousin, Annie
Pendrag0n, l refuse 10 allow this marriage
to go orr
Iexpected to see him cover before this
blow, but I was mistaken; he was evidently
prepared for anything l might say.
my good man. he said. coolly, 'you are
ravlng, or worse. You take. l know, a very
tender interest In Miss Graham's welfare;
and think, l presume, that anything you may
~ pleased to state will be believed by her,
and you will thus be able to degrade me in
her eyes. But yon are mistaken. Both Miss
Graham and my mother know me too well to
| believe one wordDf what you sayv'
] must confess that the perfect ~frankness
Of his manner succeeded for q moment in
putting me at a disadvantage. could hard
ly bring myself to believe that he was lying.
yet Il must be so.
"Do you deny" I said. "the story which
] have heard from my cousins lipsy'
"What your cousin may or may not have
told you Is no concern Of mine. What Is she
70 me?"
"Shc Is your wife," ! returned.
Still he retained his cold. tnpassive man
ner: but the old lady looked at him with
troubled eyes. II was nothing to her that nc
had broken q heart or wrecked a home. Ac-
cording to her, tho laborer was like the beast
Of burden; born to bear his load uncomplain-
ingly. and to be tramplcd In thc dust II
necessary. at his masters feet. But the fear
that her darling had been made To link him
self 10 one beneath him was terrible to her.
eGeorgc." she cried. imploringiy, "what
does he mcanr'
lie shook his head; but I replied:
II mean. madam, that n was your son. and
none other. who brought oil the trouble 70
our home. Through him. and him a;onc,
murder has been done; and simple trusting
hearts have been broken. He came with his
specious smiling face aud lying tongue, and