The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1906-10-11
CuApTER xyIII.-(Continued.) }


Ben Coop has worked for his bread ever
since he was a child. know that he
was miner in the coal pits close to
which was my home; but I call myself
honored and pleased to have such man
for my friend"
Sylvia drew back as they reached the
door, and Antonia turned and stretched
out her hand
''Good-by," she said. i should like to
meet you again some day."
She saw that for some reason of her
own Sylvia preferred not to walk with
her to the street; so, with her rare tact
Antonia passed on by herself. and in
little while had turned In the direction of
Lady Charlotte's house.
A few minutes later Sylvia walked to
end hanson. Yielding TO longing that
was not curiosity she told the man to
keep Antonia in sight. She wished to
know where this girl was to be found, for
there stole upon her strange kind of pre-
sentiment that Antonia and she would be
brought together again before very long
time.
Late that night Ben Coop rang the
bell at Lady Charlotte's house, and asked
IL he could see Antonia. The gill half
expected him, and her heart beat almost
90 suiocation as she ran down the stairs
60 greet him.
One glance at his face was enough to
tell her that his journey had been fruit
less. AS she saw Ben before her, hag-
gard, tired and grave, Antonia felt the
last CLEAN of hope die out of her heart.
mo, lass, there's no sign of him, and
the grand gentleman who owns Mill Cross
Court was not there neither. / went and
asked for him; he had gone to London,
they told me, and they did not know
when he would be back North again. The
house looked desolate. 1t seemed as IL 1t
mourned for the old master. No one had
been nigh the place, 30 / was told, save
for some little old woman who, 1t seemed
had Travelled from London with some i'm
portant papers for Sir Gerald. This
learned quite casually. and took it all
An. Miss Antonia, because you see, when
a mans got such a doubt as l have any
thing and everything quay be of use to
him, and it struck me strange like" said
Ben, that an old woman should have
travelled from London to carry papers to
Sir Gerald Tenby. Sot into converse
tion with the servant who told me about
this, and without seeming curious, tried
TO get out something more about this, but
al could find was that this woman seem
ed poor, and was in mighty hurry TO get
back to London again. am afraid there's
NOT much in that that will help u.s."
Ben" Antonia said, you have been
working very hard; now 1t is my turn. /
want you to be prepared for strange
-things. IL you see me walking with Ger
aid Tcnby, smiling with him. seeming TO
be his friend, you must bear with il, no
matter how much 1t may hurt"
Don't think l am blaming you, miss;
you see clearer than / do, and perhaps
you are right. I'll stand by anyhow, and
wait till you call to me for my help"
AS Ben went Antonia called him back,
took both his hands and pressed them to
her heart, and then bent and kissed
them.
God bless you ~ she said. and she
watched him 60 through a binding mist
of tears.
Though sleep had not come to him
save in snatches through all these four
long, terrible days, Ben felt it impossible
TO go back and seek his bed.
He walked restlessly through the crowd
ed greater than anywhere else. Carriages
were s.-ad!aS Il !ine. aud it was evident
that the audience was fashionable in the
extreme.
Ben turned aside and stood awhile
watching the people disperse. He asked
a policeman who was near by what the
ater il was, and the man gave him the
name with faint smile at the question.
Surely you don't mean to say you
don't know the Kings Theater, where
Sylvia Castella acts?"
I'm q stranger" Ben answered simply.
'Pve never been in London before
Several hansoms were waiting in the
marrow street, and close to where he stood
was dainty victoria, with a pair Of
beautiful horses. Ren felt touch of ad-
miration for these animals, and he smooth
ed their satin skins with his big, strong
hand.
While he was standing there some man
came out through the doorway of the
fheater and approached the carriage.
'Miss Castella desires that you will 20
around TO the front entrance" this man
said in a low voice to the coachman; "she
will be there in about five minutes"
just as the coachman was trying to
turn the horses-not a very easy task in
such narrow passage gentleman ap-
preached the carriage.
Where are you going?" he asked. al
most sharply, and there was an air of au-
thority in his voice
The coachman bent forward little.
Miss Castella has sent word to say
che Is coming out through the front en-
trance, sir; I suppose she wishes to avoid
che crowd here"
George Stanton muttered something un-
der his breath.