Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-01-30

stood" she stipulated. 'tliat I am to see you
tn" first thing in the morning%
Mrs. Linley was ready to accept that con-
dstlon or any condition which p omised her
q night OF uninterrupted repose. She cross
ed the room TO her husband and took his arm.
I'm my state Of fatigue, Herbert ] shall new
or get up our steep stairs unless you help
me-"
As they assembled the stairs together Lin
ley found that his wife had a reason OF her
W for leaving the drawing-room.
II ain quite weary enough TO go to bed"
she explained. But / wanted to speak to
you iirst. It's about Miss Wcsterfield. (No,
10. we needn't stop OF the landing). DO yon
know, l think have found out what has al
tered our little gOverness so strangely-I
seem to startle your
mo"
II am only astonisbed," Mrs. Linley re-
sumed, lat my own stupidity In not having
discovered it before. We must be kinder
Tran ever To tine poor girl now; can't YOU
guess why? My dear, how dull you are.
Must ! remind you that we have had two
iiik hitil hiiibAB ol fi0lhViNs Oft va tittt
Is old, and doesn't matter. But the other-l
mean Sir George, of course-is young, hand
some. and agreeable. | am so sorry for sgd
ney Westerheld. It's plain TO me That she IS
h0pelessly In love with a man who has run
through his fortune, and must marry money
II he marries at all. / shall speak to Sydney
tomorrow, and | hope and uust l shall sue
coed in winning her confidence. Thank
lnn..a. Inra $40. As. - ,~.s doom ~ l.atf I
can't say more how; 1 am ready tO drop.
Goodnight, dear; you look tired, too. It's
a nice thing 10 have ~frienos. | know, but oh
what a relief it Is sometimes to get rid OF
Them
She kissed him and let him 20.
Left by himself. to compare his wife's in
nocent mistake with tine terrible enlighten-
ment that awaited her, Linley's courage fall
ed him. lie leaned On the quantity carved
rail that protected the outer side of the land
Ing, and looked ocwn at the stone hall far
below. II the old woodwork (he thought)
would only give way under his weight there
would be an escape from the coming catas-
trophe found in an instant
A timely remembrance of Sydney recalled
him to himself. For her sake he was bound
~ prevent Mrs. Presty's contemplated inter
view with his wife on the next morning.
Descending the stairs he met his brother In
the corridor on the first floor.
Tho very man | wanted Ia see" Randall
said. Tell me, Herbert what Is the matter
with that curious did wOman?'
do You mean Mrs. Presty?"
Eyes. She has just been telling me that
our friend Mrs. MacEdwin has taken Il fancy
to Miss Westeriield, and would be only too
glad to deprive Us Of our pretty governess."
did Mrs. Presiy say that IN Miss Wester.
fields presence
mo. Soon after YOU and Catherine left
tie room Miss Wester1eld left ii too. Idare.
say ! I'm wrong, for | haven't had time 10
think OF il; but Mrs. Presty's manner sug.
gested TO me that she would be glad to see
the poor girl sent out Of the house"
II avn going to speak TO her, Randall, on
that very subject. Is she stu in the draw.
ing-roomY'
Yes"
Did she say anything more to your:
II didn't give her the chance; / don't Ike
Mrs. Presty. You looA worn and worried,
Herbert. Is there anything wrong%'
III there is, my dear fellow, you vii! hear
Of i tomorrow"
SO they parted.
Comfortably established in the drawing.
room, Mrs Presty had just opened her favor
ite newspaper. Her only companion was
liniel's black poodle, resting at her feet.
On the opening Of the door the dog rose, adj.
va.ccd to caress his master, and looked ur
in Linley's face. IL Mrs. Presty's attention
had happened 10 be turned that way she
might have seen Il. the faithful creatures
sudden and silent retreat 4 warning Of her
son-in-law's hume! AZ that moment. But she
was, OF assumed 10 be, interested In her read
ing. and she deliberately overlooked Linley's
appearance. After waiting a little 10 attract
her attention be quietly tooi the newspaper
out OF her hand.
What does this mean?" Mrs. Presty asked.
al means, ma'ain, that | have something
TO say to you."
Apparently something that can't be said
with common civility? BE as rude as yor
please: | am well used to it."
Linley wisely took no notice of this.
.Since you have lived at Mount Moryen,"
he proceeded, IL think You have found me
on the whole, an easy man to get on with
At the same time, when l do make UP my
mind % be master in my W house | am
master"
Mrs. Presty crossed her hands placidly on
her lap, and asked: Master of what?T'
Master of your suspicious of Miss Wester-
field. You are free, of course, to think Of
her and Of me az you please. What l forbid
Is the expression OF your tIoughts-e:ther by
way Of hints 10 my brother or ~ofiicious com
munications with my wife. Don't suppose
that | am afraid OF the truth. Mrs. Linley
shall know more than you think for, and
shall know 1t tomorrow; not from you, but
from Me-"
Mrs. Presty shook her head compassion
ately. "My good sir, surely you know me
too well to think that | am to be disposed OF
In that easy way? Must l remind you that
your wife's mother has the cunning Of the
devilg'
Linley recognized his own words. $50 you
were listening among the treesv' he said.
Yes, / was listening and ] have only to
regret that / didn't hear more. Let us re-
turn to our subject. | don't trust my daugh-
ter's interests my mnch-inJured daughters
interests-in your hands. They are not clean
hands, MI. Linley. l have a duty to do, and
| shall do 1t tomorrow"
NO, Mrs. Presty, you won't do it to-mor.
row"
who will prevent me-"
II shall prevent YOU"
In what way, Ii you please?'
IL don't think 1t necessary for answer that
question. My servants Will have their in
s,ructions; and shall see myself that my
orders are 0beyed."
Thank you; | beg. to understand; l am
10 be turned out OF the house. Very well.
We shall SEQ what my daughter says 10 that"
You know as well as l do, Mrs. Presty,
that II yonr daughter Is forced to choose be-
tween lis she will decide for her husband.
You have the night before you for considera-
ton. i have M more to say"
Among Mrs. Presty's merit 1t Is only just
to reckon a capacity for making up her mind
rapidly under stress Of circumstances. Be-
fore linlan had onaned the loor an his WAY