Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-02-20
XVII.

carriage was 10 use II herself. One look al
the child reminded her that her freedom OF
action began n ended at the bedside. Two
lours at least must elapse before Sydney
Westertield could be brought back to Mount
Morven. The bare thought of what might
happen In that interval, il she was absent,
filled the mother with horror. She wrote to
Mrs. MacEdwin and sent her maid with the
letter.
or the result OF this proceeding Il was moi
possible to entertain a doubt.
Sydney's love for Kitty would hesitate al
20 sacrifice, and Mrs. MacEdwin's conduct
had already answered for her. She had re.
ceived the goVerness with the utmost kind,
ness, and she had generously and delicately
refrained from asking any questions. But
one person at Mount Morven thought it nee.
essary to investigate the motives uudel
which she had acted. Mrs. Presty's inquir-
ing mind arrived at discoveries, and Mrs.
Presty's sense OF duty communicated them Ia
her daughter.
There can be no sort OF doubt, Catherine,
that our good friend and neighbOr has heard,
probably from the servants, OF what has hap.
pened; and (havlng her husband TO consider
linen are SO weak , has drawn her own con
illusions. If she trusts our fascinating gov.
erness, it's because she knows that Miss
Westerteld's affections arc left behind hen
In this house. Does my explanation satisfy
your
Mrs. Linley said: Never let me hear il
again.
And Mis-. Presty answered: How very
ungratefulr
The dreary interval of expectation, after
the departure OF the carriage, was brighten.
ed by q domestic event.
Thinking it possible that Mrs. Presty might
know why her husband had left the house,
Mrs. Linley sent to ask for information. The
message in reply informed her that Linley
had received a telegram announcing Ran.
dars return from London. He had gone to
the railway station to meet his brother.
Before she went Downstairs TO welcome
Randall, Mrs. Linley paused to consider hel
situation. The one alternative before hel
was to acknowledge at the earliest oppor.
tunity, that she had assumed the serious re.
sponslbility of sending for Sydney Wester.
field. For the first time in her life Gather.
Inc Linley found herself planning before
hand what she would say in speaking to heI
husband.
A second message interrupted her, an
nounclng that the two brothers had Just ar
rived. She joined them immediately in the
drawlng-room.
Linley was sitting in a corner by himself.
The dreadful discovery that the child's life,
(by the doctors cOnfession) was In danger
had completely overwhelmed him; he never
even lifted his head when his wife opened
the door. Randall and Mrs. Presty were talk.
ing together. The ED lady's Unsuitable curl
osity was eager Tor news from London; she
wanted to know how Randall had amused
himself when he was not attending to BUSH
ness.
He was g~rieving for Kitty; and he was
looking sadly at his brother. ~ don't re-
member" he answered, absently. Other wo-
men might have discovered that they had
chosen their time badly. Mrs. Presty, with
the best possible intentions, demonstrated.
REALLY, Randall, you must rouse yourself.
Surely you can tell us something. Did you
meet with any agreeable people while you
were away?"
II met one person who interested me-" he
said, with weary resignation.
Mrs. Presty smiled. "A woman,o of counsel y
"A man," Randall answered; "a guest like
myself at a club dinner"
who is hep"
capt. Bennydeck."
"In the armyY'
"No; formerly in the navy"
"And you and lie had a long talk togeth.
err"
Randals tones began to betray irritation.
mo" he said; 1--WE were at opposite ends OF
the %table-and the captain went away early
Mrs. Presty's vigorous intellect discovered
an imp~robability here. Then how came
you to feel interested in him?' she objected.
Even Randals patience gave way. IL can't
account Tor it," he said, sharply. II only
know l took a liking to Capt. ~Bennydeck.'
He left Mrs. Presty and sat down by his
brother. you know / feel for YOU" he
said, taking Linley's hand. ''Try to hope.'
The bitterness of the fathers despair broke
out in his answer. II can bear other troubles,
Randall, as well as most men. This affection
revolts me. There's something so horribly
unnatural in the child being threatened by
death, while the parents (whO should die
Hrst are alive and we'll" He checked
himself. II had better say no more, l shall
only shock you"
The misery in his face wrung the faithful
heart Of his wife. She forgot the cOncilia-
tory expressions which she had prepared her
self to use. Hope, my dear, as Randall tells
you," she said, because there is hope"
His face flushed, his dim eyes frightened.
HAS the doctor said it"' he asked.
YES"
why haven't / been told of 1t beforeT'
when | sent for you | heard that you had
gone out"
The explanation passed by him unnOtlced
perhaps even unheard. Tell me what the
doctor said" he insisted; II want 1t exactly,
word for word"
She obeyed him to the letter.
The sinister change in his face, as the mar
rative proceeded, was observed by both tho
other persons present, as well as by his wife.
She waited for a kind word OF encourage
ment. He only said, coldly: what have
you doneg"
Speaking coldly on her side, she answered:
II have sent the carriage to fetch Miss West
erfleld."
There was a pause. Mrs. Pres$y whisper
ed to Randall: II knew she would come
back again! The Evil Genius of the family
that's what l call Miss Westerfield. The
name exactly fits herI"
The idea In RAndal's mind was that the