The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1897-06-26
alone again witt, the person whom he

Fol LIE Wulitill NILS. IItsLy WIS unaDlel 10
reply. Her presence Of mind-or, to put il
more correctly, her ready audacity-deserted
her when she saw GATHERINGS husband that
had been and GATHERINGS husband that was
to be meeting as strangers, and but too likely
to discover each other.
In all her experience she had never been
placed in such a position of embarrassment
as the position in which she found herself
now. Tho sense of honor which had prompt
ed GATHERINGS resolution to make Benny
deck acquainted with the catastrophe of he
married life might plead her excuse in Il
estimation of man devotcdly attached
her. But ii the captain was first inform
by a person who was n perfect stranger
him that he had been deceived, what he
could be entertained of his still holding hi
self bound by his marriage engagement?
was even possible that distrust had been al
ready excited in his mind. He must certain.
ly have heard a mans voice raised in anger
when he approached the door-and lie was
now observing tina man with an air of cur
iosity which was already assuming the up.
peaInnce of distrust. That Herbert, on his
side, resented the captains critical cxamina.
ton of him was plainly visible in his face.
After q glance at Bennydeck, he asked Mrs.
Presty who that gentleman was"
II may be mistaken he added, .but ]
thought your friend looked at me just now
as if he knew me-"
II have met you sir, before this" The
captain made the reply with a courteous
composure OF tone and manner which ap-
parentIy reminded Herbert of tile claims OF
politencss.
"May l ask where l had the honor of see
ing you?' he inquired.
I'VE passed each other in the hall at the
hotel at Sandyseal. You had II young lady
with you."
Your memory is a better one than mine,
sir. / fail to remember the circumstance to
which you refer"
Bennydcck let the matter rest there.
Struck by the remarkable appearance of en-
barrassmcnt in Mrs. Prcsty's manner-and
feeling lin spite of lIerberts politcness OF
language) increased distrust of the man
whom he had found visiting her-he thought
it might not be amiss to hint that she could
rely on him in case of necessity. 81 am
afraid | have interrupted a confidential in
terview, T" he began. 'sand / ought perhaps to
explain"
Mrs. Presty listened absently; preoccupied
by the fear that Herbert would provoke a
dangerous disclosure, and by the difficulty of
discovering q means OF preventing it. She
interrupted the captain.
Excuse me tor one moment; | have a
word to say to this gentleman Bennydeck
Immediately drew back, and Mrs. Presty
lowered her voice. "lf you wish to see
Kitty" she resumed, attacking Herbert on
his weak side, 'it depends entirely on your
discretion"
What do you mean by discretionY'
"Be careful not to speak of our family
troubles-and l promise you shall see Kitty.
That is what mean"
Herbertdeclined to say whether he would
be careful or not. He was determined to
find out, first, with what purpose Bennydeck
bud entered the room. "The 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 APP
pcarance at least. Never had she hated Her.
bert as she hated him at that moment. Tho
captain went OH with his explanation. Nc
had his reasons (he saidl for hesitating, III
.he first instance, TO present himself min
vlted, and he had accordingly retired. On
second thoughts, however, he had returned,
In the hope
"ln the hope" Herbert i%nterposed, "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. l heard n strangers voice,
speaking in q tone which, to say the least OF
1t, is not customary in a lady's room; and I
thought"
Herbert interrupted him again. "And you
thought your interference might be welcome
to the ladyl Am l right"
Quite right"
Am 1 making another lucKy guess IL I
suppose myself to be speaking to Capt
~Bennydeck"
II shall be glad to hear, sir, how you have
arrived at the knowledge of my name"
Shall we say, captain, that l have ar,
rived at 1t by instinct"
His face, as he made that reply, alarmed
Mrs. Presty. She cast a look at HIM, partly
of entreaty, partly Of warning. No eject
was produced by the look. He continued,
In a tone of ironical compliment: "You
must pay the penalty of being a public char.
acter. Your marriage is announced in the
newspapers"
II seldom read the newspapers"
"Ah, Indeed9 Perhaps the report is no,
true? AS you don't read the newspapers,
allow me to repeat it. You are engaged to
marry the beautiful widow, Mrs. Onnond.'
l thinlkI quote those last words corrcctly.'
Mrs. Presty suddenly got up. With an
inscrutable face that told no tales she ad.
vanced to the door. Herbert's insane jeal.
ousy of the man who was about to become
GATHERINGS husband had led him into n ser
ious error; he had driven GATHERINGS mother
TO desperation. In that state of mind sht
recovered her lost audacity, as a matter Of
course. Opening the door, she turned ronnt
to the two men, with n magnificent lmpu
dence of manner which in her llappiest mo
ments she had never surpassed.
II am sorry to interrupt this interesting
conversation" she said; but | have stupid
ly forgotten ono of my domestic duties. Yor
will allow me to return, and listen with re
newed pleasure. when my household bust
ness Is off my mind. ] shall hope to find you
both more polite to each other than ever
when | come back" She was in such I
frenzy of suppressed rage that she actual,
kissed her hand to them as she left the room
Bennydeck looked after her. convinced
that sone sinister purpose was concealed
under Mrs. Presty's false excuses, and wholly
unable to imagine what that purpose nigh,
Nv. oIiN oeAih pSiSiopSa la u llIS ~ lOACt
q quarrel on the captain.
'As I remarked Just now" he proceeded
newspaper reports nre not always to b.
trusted. Do you seriously mean, my deal
sir, to marry Mrs. Ornond?"
II look forward to that honor and tina
happiness. But / am at q loss to know how
it interests you"
I'm that case allow me to cnlightcn you
My 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 tool
him completely by surprise Not the slight
est appearance of agitation showed itself ii
Bennydeck's ann On the contrary, hi
looked as il there was something that inter
ested him in the discovery of the name.
You are probably related to q friend O
mine" he said, quietly.
"iNlio Is your friendY'