Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-01-30
she stipulated. ''tiat I am to zee you
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| Stood" she stipulated, ''tiat I am to zee you
III" first thing in the morning.
Mrs. Linley was ready 10 accept that con-
dftion or any condition which p omised her
n 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
er get up our steep stairs unless YOU help
me-
As they assembled the stairs together Lin.
ley found that his wife had q reason of her
own for leaving the d~rawing-room.
Il am quite weary enough to go TO bed"
she explained. "But I wanted to speak to
you lirst. It's about Miss Westertield. (No,
10, we needn't stop on the landing). DO you
know, | think | have found out what has al.
tered our little goyerness so ~strangely-I
seem to startle you?'
NO"
IL am only astonished," Mrs. Linley re-
sumed, lat my own stupidity in not having
discovered it before. We must be kinder
than ever TO the poor girl now can't YOU
guess why? My dear, how dull you are!
Must i remind you that we have had two
single men among our visitors. One of them
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 Westerhcld. It's plain TO me that she is
hopelesSly in love with q man who has run
through his fortune, and must marry money
If he marries ut all. 1 shall speak to Sydney
tomorrow, and | hope and uust | shall sue
ceed in winning her confidence. Thank
heaven, here we are nj my door at last! !
can't say more now; 1 am ready 10 drop.
Goodnight, dear; you look tired, too. It's
q nice thing TO have ~friends, | know, but oh
what a relief il is sometimes to get rid OF
them!'
She kissed hin and let him go.
Left by himself, TO compare his wife's in
nocent mistake with the terrible enlighten.
ment that awaited her, Linley's courage fail
ed him. lie leaned on the quantity carved
rail that protected the outer side of the land
Ing, and looked down Ut 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 no was bound
10 prevent Mrs. PreSty's contemplated inter-
view with his wife on the next morning.
Descending the stars he met his brother in
the corridor on the first floor.
Tho very man | wanted TO See,' Randall
said. TELL me, Herbert, what Is the matter
with that curious Did womang'
'Do you mean Mrs. PreSty"
YES. She has just been telling me that
our friend Mrs. MacEdwin has taken II fancy
to Miss Westerield, and would be only too
glad to deprive us Of our pretty goyerness."
did Mrs. Presty say that in Miss Wester.
fields presenCe"'
mo. Soon after YOU and Catherine left
the room Miss Westerneld left it too. dare.
say ] am wrong, for | haven't had time TO
think ot ii; but Mrs. Presty's manner sug.
gested 10 me that she would be glad TO see
the poor girl sent ont of the house"
Il am going TO speak 10 her, Randall, on
that very subject. Is she still in the draw.
ing-room?'
Yes"
Did she say anything more to you?'
~ didn't give her the chance; ] don't Ike
Mrs. Presty. You looN worn and worried,
Herbert. Is there anything wrong?'
"lf there is, my dear fellow, you vii! hear
of Il Tomorrow"
SO they parted.
Comfortably established in the drawing
room, Mrs. Presty had just opened her favor.
lite newspaper. Her only companion was
l~inlel's black poodle, resting at her feet.
On the opening Of the door the dog rose, ad.
vanccd to caress his master, and looked w
in Linlcy's face. II Mrs. Presty's attention
had happened to be turned that way she
might have seer Il. the faithful creatures
sudden and silent retreat q warning of her
sOn-in-lawS lumol III that moment. But she
was, OF assumed 80 be, interested IN her read
in, and she deliberately overlooked Linley's
appearance. After waiting a little to attract
her attention he quietly TOOK the newspaper
out OF her hand.
What does this mean?' Mrs. Presty asked.
at means, md'am, 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 ut Mount Morven,'
lie proceeded, IL think you have found me
OH the whole, an easy man to get on with.
At the same time, when l do make up my
mind % be master in my wi house l am
master"
Mrs. Presty crossed her hands placidly on
her zap, and asked: Master of wllat?'
Master of your suspicious of Miss Westcr-
field. You are free, of course, TO think of
her and Of ne as you please. What | forbid
Is the expression of your thoughts-e.ther by
way of hints TO my brother or oficious com
munications with my wife. Don't suppose
that | I'm afraid of the truth. Mrs. Linley
shall know more than you think for, and
shall know it tomorrow; not from you, but
from Me-"
Mrs. Prcsty shook her head compassion
ately. my good sir, surely you know me
too well to think that am to be disposed OF
In shat A1,, y...0 MI \ .-...l $500, akaA
your wife's mother has the cunning of the
devil'"."
Linley recognized his own words. $50 you
were listening among the trees!' he said.
Eyes, | was listening; and ] have only to
regret that j didn't hear more. Let us re-
turn to our subject. | don't trust my daugh-
ter's interests my much-inJured daughters
interests-in your hands. They are not clean
hands, Mr.. Linley. ! have a duty to do, and
| shall do it Tomorrow"
mo, Mrs. Presty, You won't do it to-mor-
row."
WHO will prevent me"
u shall prevent you"
I'm what way, IL you plcasey"
IL don't think it necessary for answer that
question. My servants will have their in
slructions; and l shall sec myself that my
oA'Ni' w Op'lN"s
THANK you; | beg. to understand; l am
10 be turned out OF the house. Very well.
We shall see what my daughter says TO that"
You know as well as | do, Mrs. Presty,
that if your daughter is forced to choose be-
tween us she will decide for her husband.
You have the night before you for considera-
ton. j have no 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 Linley had opened the door, on his way
out, he was called back.
Il am shocked to trouble you again." Mrs.
Presty said, but don't propose to interfere
with my nights rest by thinking about you.
My position Is perfectly clear to NE without
wasting time in consideration. When a man
so completely fOrgcts what is due to the
weaker sex as to threaten a woman, the wo-
man has no alternative but to submit. You
arc aware that | had arranged to see my
daughter to morrow morning. ] yield to
brute force, sir. Tell your wife that | shall
not keep my appointment. Are you salts
fied?'
Quite satisfied" Linley said, and left the
room.
His mother-in-law looked after him with q
a..s1A - ~