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

Brisk and smiling, Mrs. Prcsty presented
herself in the waiting-rOom. lies gonc!'
She announced: II looked out of my window
and saw him leaving the hotel" She paused,
struck by the deep detection expressed in her
daughters attitude. "Cathcrine!' she en-
claimed. 81 tell you Herbert has gone, and
you look as if you regretted it! Is there any
thing wrong? Did my messenger fail TO
bring him hcre?'
mo"
ale was bent on mischief when | saw
him last. Has he told Belmydeck OF the di-
voIcc?'
No" :
Thank heaven for that! There is no one
to be afraid OF now. Where is the captain%'
'lle is still in the Sltting-room."
why don't you 80 to him?' ,
~ darcn't!' !
"Shall | go?'
"leS-md give him this"
Mrs. Presty took the letter. "You mean
tear 1t up" she said, and quite right, too"
NO; | mean what | say"
"My dear child, If you have any regard for
yourself, if you have any regard for me.
don't ask me 80 give Bcnnydeck this mad
letter! You won't hear reason? You still
insist on it?'
81 do"
"lf Kitty ever behaves to you, Catherine,
rs you have behaved to me-yOu will have
richly deserved it. On, II you were only "a
child again, I'd beat it out OF you'll wouldr'
With that outburst OF temper she took the
letter to Bennydeck. IN less than a minute
she returned, Il tanned woman, 'Ilc fright
ems me-" She said.
as he angryY'
"No-and that's the worst Of it. 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 he"
] said: lie has left the hotel lie said:
what does that meant? | handed the letter
to him. perhaps this Will explain ] said.
lie looked at the address, and 1T once rccog-
nized your handwriting. why does she
write to me when we are both In the same
house? Why doesn't she speak to me" l
pointed to the letter. lie wouldn't look at
it; he looked straight at me. There's some
mystery here he said. I'm a plaln man;
/ don't like mysteries. Mr.. Linley had
something to say TO me when the message in
terrupted him. WHO sent the message? Do
you knOw?' II there is q woman, living,
Catherine, who would have told the truth in
such a position as mine was at that moment,
a Giiohlu lihO ~ IdN lt DllOlos luDhs
said didn't know, and | saw he suspected
me of dcceiving him. Those kind eyes of
his--you wouldn't believe it of them look
ed me through and through. 4 won't detain
you any longer he said. I'm not easily
daunted as you know-the relief it was to me
10 get away from him is not to he told in
words. What do you think | heard when |
got into the passage? | 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. 81 ought to be near
him" she said, hopefully; she may wish to
see me-"
Her mother reminded her tina: the waiting
room was a public room, and 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 perpetu-
ually. Her daughter had nothing to say, and
cared nothing where they went; all outward
manifestation of life in her seemed TO be
suspended at that terrible time of expecta-
ton. They wandered here and there in the
q~uietest 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 .Jnger," Catherine said.
She dropped on one of the garden chairs,
holding by her mothers hand. $50 to him,
for Gods sake" she entreated. ~ can en-
dure it no longer"
Mrs. Presty-eyen bold Mrs. Presty-was
afraid to face him again. Hes fond of the
child" she suggested ''let's send Kitty
Some little girls were at play close by who
knew where Kitty was to be found. In a