The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1906-10-04
CHAPTER XVIII.

l. ueTe WAS SOllelHlIS VIII MS Ca
pression-the look of an animal at bay;
then the wildness went. and over his face
there stole that mask that hid all express
sion.
"Say what you have t. say he said
sullenly, land then let Us change the con.
versation. / am bit sick of talking al.
ways on the same theme. Come, let US
walk in the direction of my club"
As they strolled along, speaking appar.
emily in casual fashion, Sylvia Castella
passed them in her carriage. She noted
them from distance, and her eyes follow
ed them with an interest that was strange
ly new to her.
Neither man looked at her as she went
by, and she drew deep breath of relief.
Though she stood now pledged to marry
Stanton, she dreaded the mere thought OF
being in his presence.
Il cannot help doubling him." she said
to herself, restlessly. HE swore last
night that that money had come to him
honorably, yet it would be easy enough for
him to perjure himself Oh. why was
| such fool as to have any dealings with
this man? Drive me to the British Mu.
scum" she ordered her coachman.
Here in this lonely place Sylvia seemed
to feel that the shadows of coming even
ing were significant Of the coming evening
of her life. And as she sat wondering
vaguely what had come to pass with her,
she noticed a girl walking slowly down the
room.
The girl wore a long, straight, black
gown that fell in folds about her. Syl.
via recognized at once the proud bearing
and the small head, and her appreciation
went out in a whole-hearted fashion to
Antonia's grace and beauty.
She was conscious, too, of a strange
beat of excitement at her heart. 1t was
certainly odd that she should have met
this girl two days running and in two
such opposite directions.
Sylvia had risen from her seat, and was
about to GO Anothe, moment and she
would have passed Antonia, perhaps never
to be again in such close contact with the
girl, when little accident occurred.
Strung around her waist Sylvia wore a
gold and jeweled belt; from it dangled
many costly and useless objects. One of
these small jeweled trifes snapped and
fell to the ground as she rose, rolling to
Antonia's feet. Instantly the girl stopped
and picked up the toy, and turned with
a smile to give it to this tall, beautiful
woman, whose face seemed vaguely famil-
lar to her.
Sylvia took the trinket. paused an In
slant, and then, yielding to rush of feel
ing such as had not come to her for many
day, and which had been caused by the
sight of Antonia's companion the day be-
fore. she spoke to the girl.
please forgive me-" said Sylvia, "but
can you direct me? l cannot find my way
to the entrance"
IF you will allow me, l will take you
there. l am on my way out of the mu-
scum; in fact, think we must be two
of the last people left in the building
Fortunately they know me-" Antonia add
ed with a faint smile. Il come here
very often"
They spoke casually as they walked to-
gether through the long room, and some
thing in the tone of Sylvia's voice brought
back to Antonia the burr of her native
country. She said this quite frankly.
Il believe that you come from the same
part of the world that l do" she said.
at is not beautiful place, yet love
it very dearly"
II was born in Lancashire" Sylvia an
swered; but it is a long time since
was there. 1 thought" she added, hur-
riedly, "that had long ago lost the ac-
cent"
Don't try to lose it," said Antonia. II
know to Southern ears it has an ugly
sound; but to mine l confess there 10
both music and sweet remembrance in
such an accent"
They passed on a few yards in silence
and then Sylvia seemed to awaken to a
sense of duty.
II think can find my way now," she
said; "it is very kind Of you to have TAX
EN- so much trouble for me. Perhaps I
ought to tell you that l am Sylvia Cas-
tella, the actress
II have heard your name,' said An
tonia, gently, "and now I understand why
your face seemed familiar to me. Do
you come here often, Miss CASTELAR,"
II hardly know what brought me here
to-day" Then quite abruptly: "Yes,
do know; wanted to think quietly to my
self. You are very young, and, there
fore, you will not understand that there
are moments when one has to pause and
take stock, as it were, of ones life"
Il am not very old, certainly" said
Antonia, with her beautiful smile; "at
least, as years are counted. but think
have grasped already the knowledge that
there can be great delight and terrible
bitterness in life" a.
'''There is something about you," said
Sylvia. that makes me speak out frank
ly. When / saw you coming toward me
just now recognized you. l was sitting
under the trees in the park yesterday
morning when you passed me with your
dogs. You were talking to a big, sum
burned man, and you seemed both of you
to be very sad. / watched you-not from
curiosity. but because l was interested