The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1906-08-23
CHAPTER V.


little ladyship became peevish as the
might hours wore into the early morning.
She went rcstlessly from one house to
1.-THE other, and her eyes went eagerly into
every corner as she arrived but not n
glimpse of Gerald could she find 1t was
a new thing for her to be disappointed in
this fashion, and she resented it sharply.
'It Is all that girl" she said to her
self. Ever since she came | have had
bad luck"
/ She tried Land not to let the world see
sthat she was not as happy as usual For,
all at once, she felt that she hated the
man she had married-hated him because
he stood a barrier in her path and this
bitter resentment broke into fiercer flame
when the news was given to her of Sir
Maurice Tenby's death, and she realized
what this would mean to Gerald.
! She wrapped herself in her costly man
tie and drove home with sullen lips and
a strange, hard look on her pretty, baby
fsh face.
but to emphasize what she called her bad
luck--for now Gerald would certainly
drift away from her.
/ Such wealth would open out all sorts of
new paths. However much ne might like
TO be with her, it would hardly be possi-
BILE for him to continue their old friend
ship under such changed circumstances
indeed, she saw more than this.
"He will marry she said to herself.
''There are a dozen women from whom
he could choose a wife tomorrow
I The burst Of jealousy that took posses
sion Of her heart was startling and
most unpleasant experience. In such a
moment the whole of Lady Betty's ma
ture went through n transformation.
A more impressing and yet more sim
lple funeral than that accorded to Sir
Maurice Tenby could not be imagined.
The mourners were numbered in hun
| In the land to the humblest of the pit
workers.
There would come big changes, they
said to one another, now that Robert
Tenby's son reigned at the Court. Times
of injustice and oppression loomed visibly
before them.
Gerald Tenby, as he walked bareheaded
iafter the coffin, and noted the crowds that
gathered about his kinsman's grave, could
not be insensible to this feeling of silent
Iantagonism that pervaded the air.
There was one men who watched him
from the crowds, and who gave him
passing tribute of admiration for his calm
ness
Hes got more grit than / thought
this man muttered to himself. II always
took him to be coward. Certainly he
docks bit different now to what he did
that night when l spoke to him so sud-
denly. If ever a man had fear written
i'm his face, that man was Gerald Tenby ;
lbut there's no fear to-day. After ALL"
Unused on this stranger, "he can afford to
iput aside fear. This is proud moment,
Iand ! never realized the stake he was
fighting for so clearly till now. 1t gives
him kind OF right to hold himself as he
does. A millionaire with a title as old as
the hills, and property that is known
In value and name all over the world. 1t
was worth doing, / must confess; though
even bad lot as am, doubt IL should
have done all the black things he has
sdone."
Evidently some remembrance passed
fthrough this mans mind at this moment,
for scowl settled on his face.
''But he viii pay me-" was his next
lmuttered thought. Il. will have my re-
ward-not al! Mt once, but inch by inch.
It's only fair. AS worked with him in
the past, so I'll share with him now."
This stranger drifted away with the
Irest of the crowd when the funeral was
lover, and made his way back to the COM
Portable little inn in the village, where he
had taken up his quarters.
Later In The day the stranger from the
linn made his wa up to Mill Cross Court.
He gave his name to the butler. adding:
"Sir Gerald will see me. l am here on
business. He expects me-"
The servant admitted him instantly,
and led the way through the darkened
floor. As the door opened there was
trustle Of silken garments, and the perfume
lon the air denoted instantly the presence
Nof feminine sympathizer.
"AIr. George Stanton to see you, sir ~
the DutleE announced.
Sir Gerald started violently and turned
llivid; and Lady Betty, who was looking
lher very prettiest in the fashionable
mourning she had donned, looked round
at the newcomer with slight frown on
her face.
Gerald Tenby passed through mo-
ment of hot rage, followed by chilled
sensation of abject fear, when his, servant
opened the door and Stanton. appeared.
He paused. At that moment he was at a
loss to know exactly what TO say; bat
Mr.. Stanton was evidently prepared.
'"I hope / am not misunderstanding
,you, Sir Gerald" he said, quite easily
land ii was evident to see at a glance that
the was by birth and education a gentle
lman--"but / believe you require me to
commence my duties as your secretary to-
aay%