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

carriage was TO use II herself. One look at
the child reminded her that her freedom of
action began and ended at the bedside. Two
hours at least must elapse before Sydney
Westertield could be brought back to Mount
Morven. The bare thought of what might
happen In that interval, ii she was absent
filed the mother with horror. She wrote to
Mrs. MaeEdwln and sent her maid with the
letter.
or the result Of this proceeding IL was not
possible 10 entertain q doubt.
Sydney's love for Kitty would hesitate at
20 sacrifice, and Mrs. MacEdwin's conduct
bad already answered for her. She had re-
ceived the goeerness with the Utmost kind
ness, and she had generously and delicately
r~efrained from asking any questions. Blu
one person at Mount Moryen thought it nee
essary TO investigate the motives uDde
which she had acted. Mrs. Presty's iDguir-
ing mind arrived at discoveries, and Mrs.
Presty's sense OF duty communicated them to
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 (having her husband TO consider
linen are SO weak y has drawn her own con-
illusions. Ii she trusts our fascinating gov
erness, it's because she knows that Miss
Westerfield's affections arc left behind her
In this house. Does my explanation satisfy
your
Mrs. Linley said: Never let me hear it
again.
And Mrs. Presty answered: How very
ungratefulw
The dreary interval Of expectation, after
the departure or the carriage, was brighten
ed by Q domestic event.
Thinking 1t 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
dal's return from London. He had gone TO
the railway station 10 meet his brother.
Before she went Downstairs 10 welcome
Randall, Mrs. Linley paused TO consider her
situation. The one alternative before her
was to acknowledge at the earliest oppor-
tunity, that she had tsSumed the serious re-
sponsibility 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 her
husband.
A second message interrupted her, an
nouncing hat 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 for news from London; she
wanted to know how Randall had amused
himself when he was not attending to BUSH
ness.
He was grieving for Kitty; and he was
looking sadly at his brother. II don 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, of courseP'
"A man" Randall answered; "a guest like
myself at O club dinner"
who is hep"
capt. ~Beunydeck."
"In the army
"No; formerly in the navy"
"And you and he had a long talk togeth-
ergr
Randal's tones began to betray irritation.
"No," he said; I'VE were at opposite ends of
the table-and the captain went away early"
Mrs. Presty's vigorous intellect discovered
an improbability here. Then how came
you to feel interested in himg' she objected.
Even Randal's patience gave way. Il can't
account for it," he said, sharply. II only
know I took q liking to Capt. Bennydeck."
He left Mrs. Presty and sat down by his
brother. "You know l 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 we'll 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
first) are alive and we'll" He checked
himself. 81 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, snt 5diu, 'DecauSo inert - nope.
His face flushed, his dim eyes frightened.
HAS the doctor sud ity' he asked.
yes"
"why haven't / been told of Ii beforeY'
when l sent for you l heard that you had
gone out"
The explanation passed by him unnoticed
-perhaps even unheard. TEL 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 the
other persons present, as well as by his wife.
She waited for q kind word OF encourage
ment He only said, coldly: What have
you doner'
Speaking coldly on her side. she answered:
II have sent the carriage to fetch Miss West
erield."
There was a pause. Mrs Pressy whisper
Cd 70 Randall: II knew she would come
back againl The Evil Genius Of the family
that's what l call Miss Wcsterfield. The
name exactly fts hevr'
Thu 1maa IN RAudal, mind waa that tina