Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-06-26
CHAPTER Ii.

Brisk and smiling, Mrs. Presty presented
herself i'm the waiting-rooin. Hes gomez
she announced; Il looked out of my window
and saw him leaving the hotel" She paused,
struck by the deep detection expressed in her
daughters attitude. 'Catherine!' she ex-
claimed. Il tell you Herbert has gone, and
you look as il you regretted ii! Is there any
thing wrong? Did my messenger fail 70
bring him hereY'
NO.
''He was bent on mischief when 1 saw
him last. Has he told ~Benmydeck OF the di-
vorce?"
NO"
Thank heaven for that! There Is no one
to be afraid of now. Where is the captain"
"He is still in the slttlng-room."
why don't you 20 to him?'
IL daren'tv'
"Shall | go?'
"Yes-and give him this"
Mrs. Presty took the letter. "You mean
tear 1t up" she said, "and quite right, too"
NO; l mean what | say"
MY dear child, ii you have any regard for
yourself, il you have any regard for me,
don't ask me 20 give Bennydeck this mad
letter! You won't hear reason? You still
insist on itg"
II do"
IF Kitty ever behaves to you, Catherine,
as you have behaved to me-you will have
richly deserved it. On, If you We're only q
child again, I'D beat 1t out OF you'll wouldp
With that outburst OF temper she took the
letter TO Bennydeck. in less than a minute
she returned, a tanned woman. lie fright
ems me" she said.
"Is he angryY'
"No-and that's the worst OF il. When
men are angry | am never afraid of them.
He's quiet, too quiet. He said: I'm wait
ing for Mr.. Herbert Linley; where is hep
/ said: He inns LETT tho hotel lie said:
what does that mean? l handed the letter
to him. perhaps this will explain l said.
He looked at the address, and at once recog-
nized your handwriting. why does she
write 10 me when we are both in the same
house? Why doesn't she speak to meY l
pointed to the letter. He wouldn't look at
it; he looked straight at me. There's some
mystery here he said. Pm a PLAIN man;
1 don't like mysteries. Mr.. Linley had
something to say to me when the message III
terrupted him. WHO sent the message? Do
you know? III there Is a woman, living,
Catherine, who would have told the truth In
such q position as mine was at that moment,
1 should like to have her photograph. l
said l didn't know, and l saw he suspected
me OF deceiving him. Those kind eyes of
his-you wonldn't believe ii of them !-look-
ell me through and through. i won't detain
you any longer he said. I'm not easily
daunted as you know-the relief 1t was to me
70 get away from him Is not to he told In
words. What do yeu think l heard when l
got into the plssage? l heard him turn the
key OF the door. He's locked In, my dear,
he's locked In. We are too near him here.
Come up stairs"
Catherine refused. II ought to be near
him" she said, hopefully; 'he may wish to
see me-
Her mother reminded her that the waiting
room was q public room, aui might be want
ed. She proposed going into the garden,
and telling the servant who usually attended
on them where they might be found.
Catherine yielded. Mrs. Presty's excite
ment found its overflow In talking pcrpetu-
ually. Her daughter had nothing to say, and
cared nothing where they went; all outward
manifestation OF life In her seemed 70 be
suspended Mt that terrible time OF expecta.
ton. They wandered here and there In the
Quietest part OF her grounds. Half an hour
passed-and no message was received. The
hotel clock struck the hour--and still moth
ing happened.
II can walk no -nger,n Catherine saii.
She dropped on one Of the garden chairs
holding by her mothers hand. ssGo 10 him,
for Gods saker' she ontreated. Il can en-
dnrr II no i0nge1.p
Mrs. Preety-even bold Ma P~fcsty--was
afraid 10 faco him again. HES fond Of the
child she suggested slct's send Kitty"
Some little girls were Il play cl0se by who
knew where Kitty was % be found In :