Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-06-19

reply. Her presence OF mind--0r. 10 put "
moro correctly, her ready audacity- deserted
her when she saw GATHERINGS husband that
had been and GATHERINGS husband that was
10 be meeting as strangers, and but too likely
10 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. The 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 u
estimation of a man devOtedly attached (
her. But il the captain was first Inform
by a person who was a 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. lie must certain
~ have heard a mans voice raised In anger
when he approached the dOof-aBd he was
now observing that man with an air OF cur.
iOsity which was already assuming the APP
pearance OF distrust. That Herbert, on his
side, resented the captains critical examlna'
ton OF him was plainly visible In his face.
After a glance al 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 IL he knew me-"
III have met you. sir, before this" The
captain made the reply with a courteous
composure OF tone and manner which APP
~parently reminded Herbert of the claims OF
politeness.
"May / ask where | bad the honor of see.
ing your he inquired.
I'VE passed each other in the hall at the
hotel at ~Sandyseal. You had a young lady
with you"
"Your memory is a better one than mine,
sir. / fall to remember the circumstance To
which you refer"
B~ennydeck let the matter rest there.
Struck by the remarkable appearance OF EN-
barrassment in Mrs. Presty's manner-and
feeling lin spite of Herbert's polIteness 0f
language) increased distrust OF the man
whom he had cum visiting her-he thought
it might not be amiss to hint that she could
rely OH him in case of necessity. II am
afraid l have interrupted a confidential in
terview," he began, "and / ought perhaps to
explain"
Mrs. Presty listened absently preoccupied
by the fear that Herbert would provoke n
dangerous disclosure, and by the difficulty Of
discovering a means OF preventing it. She
interrupted the captain.
Excuse me tor one moment: | have a
word to say 10 his gentleman" Bennydeek
Immediately drew back, and Mrs Presty
lowered her voice. III you wish 10 see
Kitty" she resumed. attacking Herbert on
his weak side, Ill depends entirely on your
discretion"
What do you mean by discretiony'
''Be careful not to speak OF our family
troubles-and ! promise you shall see Kitty.
That Is what | mean"
Herbert declined TO say whether he would
be- careful or not. He was determined 10
lind out, first, with what purpose Bennydeck
and 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
pearance at least. Never had she hated Her
bert as she hated him at that moment The
captain went on with his explanation. lie
had his reasons (he said for hesitating, in
the first instance, to present himself unln-
yited, 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 wasp
Not at all. l heard a strangers voice,
speaking In a tone which, TO say the least OF
il, is not customary in a lady's room; and
thought
Herbert interrupted him again. "And you
thought your interference might be welcome
to the lady! Am | right?'
Quite right"
Am l 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 w say, captain, that 1 have ar
rived at IL by instinct"
His face, as he made that reply, alarmed
Mrs. Presty. She cast q look at HIM, partly
OF entreaty, partly OF warning. No ,sfect
was produced by the look. lie continued,
in 4 tone of ironical compliment: you
must pay the penalty of being a public char
acter. Your marriage is announced in the
newspapers"
Il seldom read the newspapers"
"Ah, Indeed? Perhaps the report is not
true? As you don't read the newspapers,
allow me to repeat it. You are engaged to
marry the beautiful widow, Mrs. 0nnond.,
/ think l quote those last words correctly"
Mrs. Presty suddenly got VI. With an
inScrutable face that told no tales she adj
vanced TO the door. Herbert's insane jeal-
ousy of the man who was about 10 become
GATHERINGS husband had led him INTO a ser
ious error; he had driven GATHERINGS mother
to desperation. In that state of mind she
recovered her lost audacity, as a matter OF
course. Opening the door, she turned round
to the two men, with a magnificent mpu-
dence OF manner which in her happiest mo
ments she had never surpassed.
II am sorry to interrupt this interesting
conversation" she said; but | have stupid.
ly forgotten one of my domestic duties. You
will allow me TO return, and listen with re-
newed pleasure, when my household bust.
ness is of my mind. l shall hope to find you
both more polite TO each other than ever,
when 1 come back" She was i'm such q
frenzy OF suppressed rag that she actually
kissed her hand to them as she left the room!
B~ennydeck looked after her, convinced
that some sinister purpose was concealed
under Mrs. Presty's false excuses, and wholly
unable to imagine what that purpose might
be. Herbert still persisted in trying to force
q vUaTTSl Oh Tic SapsslS.
AS l remarked just now" he proceeded,
newspaper reports are not always to be
trusted. DO you seriously mean, my dear
sir, to marry Mrs. 0rmondg'
Il look forward to that honor and that
happiness. But l am at q loss TO know how
IT interests you"
"In that case allow ne TO enlighten you.
My name Is Herbert Linley."
lie has held his name In reserve, feeling
certain OF the effect which he would produce
when he pronounced IT, The result took
him completely by surprise. Not the slight
est appearance of agitation showed itself in
Bennydeck's tanner. On the contrary, he
looked as IL there was something that inter-
ested him in the discovery Of the name.
"You are probably related to a friend of
| mine. I" he said, quietly.
"Who is your friendg'
"Mr. Randall Linley."
Herbert was entirely unprepared for this
discovery. Once more the captain had got
the best Of IL.
Are You and Randall Linley intimate
friendsy' he inquired, as soon as he had re
covered himself.
"Most intimate"
''It's strange that he should never have
mentioned me ON any occasion when you and
he were together"