The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1906-08-16

fearsessly, and Jet half shyly, as IL tbeg
confessed that sne desired forgetfulness
for that last time they had seen together.
pardon for AL those bitter words she had
hurled against him.
Gerald Tenbys heart beat wildly. II
seemed 10 him like some wonderful dream
TO ST there and look at Antonia in her
soft white gown and TO hear her voice
speaking 10 him gently. The ret Of the
evening passed like magic.
When Lady Betty rose to futter away
TO half dozen balls, Gerald escorted her
Fresh woDdsTment and delight filed bis
hear: as Antonio put her slender hand in
his and smiled again into his eyes.
II had needed but this 10 complete his
triumph. He had never realized ill this
moment how much he had loved her.
Tbs night was warm, and he determined
10 Nalk from the opera house. As he
passed along MS eye was suddenly caught
by the piacard OF an evening newspaper,
and he came 10 a stands:jll.
For an instant his brain reeled. He
could hardly decipher rDe big words clear
ly. then the mist rolled away, and he
stool facing the fact that his Uumph
had indeed come, for this placard set forth
TO the world the news of the death Of the
great nOTth-country millionaire, Sir Mau-
rice Tenby-a death which had occurred
suddenly a few hours before.
II was difficult for Gerald Tenhy 10
draw his breath easily in this moment.
IL was the moment for which he had
stained his soul with sin, the moment for
which he had sehemed and prayed. Now
tha: il was come, he hardly dared grasp
it.
His limbs trembled under him. He
turEed and hailed cab. Just as he was
stepping into il, hand was laid on his
shoulder, and a voice spoke in his ear:
Good evening. Sir Gerald Tenby..'
There was a strange sneer in the voice.
Tenby's foot was on the step of the han
som, his hand was gripping The rail. So
he stcod for the space OF a long silence.
An instant before, his brain had been
reeling with delight: now darkness had
fallen upon him, utter, stihing darkness
the darkness of a fear that was almost
despair.
Antonia MarchmOnt did a strange thin2
thai same night when she found herself
alone in her room. She looked about her
in wild, hunted sort of way, then she
tore from her right hand the delicate glove
that had covered il, and lighting a can.
die. she held the glove in the fame till
tie skin caught fire and smoldered tG
ashes.
II feel" she said to herself, between
her teeth, ''as if / were as great traitor
as he. Shall / be able to carry this
through: Tonight, when he came near
me, l almost shuddered Oh" AntOnia
cried, throwing out Der arms, and walk
ing to and fro restlessly, how is it pos
Slbc that a mar can be so base, Sc
cruel! How can he sleep at night? Does
not Ilubert's white, miserable face come
to haunt him."
As long as she lived. Antonia would
never forget the awful moment when
news was given TO her of Hubert's dis
grace. 1t was her father who had spoken
that sad story. and for the first time "a
h;s life he had looked upon Antor:a in a
different light.
AT least" he had said, speaking aloud
MS thoughts, though you are a girl, yOu
spare me dishonor."
Hubert Tenby is incapable of dishon.
or. Though all the world should be
against him in this, | would stake my life
on his honor she had said. passionatcly.
Lord Marchmont had looked at her
with a dry emile.
You are right to be loyal, Antonia," :"
he said, in his calm way; but your 10y.
atty lacks discrimination. Even faith
such as yours must be shaken when put
face to face with proofs
Il do not believe in these proofs. faith.
err" she had said "There is something
in all this that will be made clear some
day; but whether this happens, or does
not happen. nothing will change me. |
xncw Hubert: and, knowing him, l must
believe in him ~
Lord Marchmont had only shrugged his
shoulders. and then had gone back to his
study. Tonight she was going once again
over the situation.
Gerald Tenby always hated Hubert"
sne was saying to herself. How manv
times have | seen him looking at Hubert
with that strange hatred in his eyes +!
Though he put a curb on his lips. he
could not utterly hide his feelings. II il
han never come TO me before, should
awe seen his hate that one day when we
;let on the road to the Court and I sa
such plain words to him. l took him by
surprise, and for one instant / saw lis
kcart, and l knew that he hated Hubert
With hate that not even death could
crush out"
She rose with sigh as she put away
some photographs and locked the box
which held them.
ITO ha