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

her when she saw Catherlne's husband tllat
had been and GATHERINGS husband that was
To 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 I'm Il
estimation of q man dcvOtedly attached
her. But il the captain was first informs
by Il person who was a perfect stranger
him that he had been deceived, what hc
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 door-and 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 examina.
ton of him was plainly visible in his face.
After a glance at Bennydeck, he asked Mrs.
Presty who that gentleman was"
Il may be mistaken he added, but ]
thought your friend looked at me just now
as If he knew me-
81 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 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 u young lady
with YOU"
Your memory is a better one than mine,
sir. | fail to remember the circumstance to
which you refer
Bcnnydeck let the matter rest there.
Struck by the remarkable appearance Uf EN-.
0arrassment in Mrs. Presty's manner-and
feeling lin spite of Herbert's pollteness OF
%language) increased uistruSt of the man
whom he had found visiting her-he thought
it might not be amiss TO hint that she could
rely OH him in case of necessity. II am
afraid | have interrupted Il confidential in
teryiew, 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 il. She
interrupted the captain.
Excuse me tor one moment: | nave n
word to say to this gentleman" Bennydeck
Immediately drew back, and Mrs. Presty
lowered her voice. ''If you wish To see
Kitty" she resumed, attacking Herbert on
his weak side, iii depends entirely Oh 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. lie was determined to
lind out, first, with what purpose Bennydeck
hnd entered the room. THE gentleman was
about TO explain himself TO you," he said to
Mrs. Presty. why don't you give him tie
OppOrtunity?'
She had no choice but 10 submit-in app
pcarance at least. Never had she hated Her.
bert as she hated him at that moment The
captain went on with his explanation. He
bad his reasons (hc said for hesitating, in
the first instance, To present himself unin-
vited, and he had accordingly retired. On
second thoughts, however, he had returned,
in the hope
"ln the hope" Herbert interposed, "of
seeing Mrs. Presty's daughter?"
That was one of my motives" Benny
deck answered.
as ii indiscreet to inquire what the other
motive wasp
Not at all. | heard n strangers voice,
speaking In n tone which, to say the least Of
1t, Is not customary in a lady'S room; n |
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 If ]
suppose myself to be speaking TO Capt.
Bcnnydeck?'
IL shall be glad to hear, sir, how you havo
arrived at the knowledge of my name"
'Shall we say, captain, that | have ar
rived at it by instinct"
His face, as he made that reply, alarmed
Mrs. Prcsty. She cast a look at HIM, partly
of entreaty, partly of warning. No elect
was produced by the look. lie 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"
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. OrnOnd.'
l think | quote those last words correctly"
Mrs. PreSty suddenly got up. With an
inscrutable face that told no tales she adj
vanced to the door. llcrbert's insane jeal-
OuSy of the man who was about to become
GATHERINGS husband had lcd him into "A SER
iOuS error; he had driven GATHERINGS mother
to desperation. In that state Of mind she
recovered her lost audaclty, as u 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
mcnts she had never surpassed.
81 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 off my mind. | shall hope to find you
both more polite to each other than ever,
when | come back" She was in such a
frenzy of suppressed rage that she actually
kissed her hand to them rs she left the room!
Bennydeck 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 quarrel on the captain.
"As | remarked just now" he proceeded,
newspaper reports are not always to be
trusted. DO you seriously mean, my dear
sir, to marry Mrs. 0rmOnd?'
IL look forward to that honor and that
happiness. But | am at a loss To know how
1t interests you"
"In that case allow me 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 i'm
Bennydeck's Eanner. On the contrary, he
looked as il there was something that inter-
ested him in the discovery of the name.
"You are probably related 10 a friend of
mine, =" he said, quietly.
"Who is your friendY'
"Mr. Randall Linley."
Herbert was entirely unprepared for this
discovery. Once more the captain had got
the best of it.
"Are you and Randall Linley intimate
friends?" he inquired, as soon as he had re-
covered himself.
"Most intimate"
ITS strange that he should never have
mentioned me on any occasion when you and
he were together"
ut does, indeed, seem strange"
Haihart ratGaI HE hru.Ln.f 49,. ..-..