The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1906-09-12

tear;essly, and yet half shyly, as II they
confessed that she desired forgetfulness
for that last time they had been together,
pardon for all those bitter words she had
hurled against him.
Gerald Tenby's heart beat wildly. It
seemed to him like SON wonderful dream
to sit there and look at Antonio in her
soft white gown and to hear her voice
speaking to him gently. The rest OF the
evening passed like magic.
When Lady Betty rose to futter away
to half a dozen balls, Gerald escorted her
and her companion to their carriage.
Fresh wonderment and delight filed his
heart as Antonio put her slender hand in
his and smiled again into his eyes.
1t had needed but this to complete his
triumph. He had never realized till this
moment how much ne had loved her.
The night was warm, and he determined
to walk from the opera house. AS he
passed along his eye was suddenly caught
by the placard of an evening newspaper,
and he came to a standstill.
For an instant his brain reeled. He
could hardly decipher the big words clear
ly, then the mist rolled away, and he
stood facing the fact that his Triumph
had indeed come, for this placard set forth
to the world the news of the death of the
great north-country millionaire, Sir Mau.
rice Tenby-a death which had occurred
suddenly a few hours before.
1t was difficult for Gerald Tenhy to
draw his breath easily in this moment
1t was the moment for which he had
| sra inaI hic soul with Gin tho ponD1an+ fpr
which he had schemed and prayed. Now
thas it was come, he hardly dared grasp
1t.
His limbs trembled under him. He
turned and hailed q cab. Just as he was
stepping into it, a hand was laid on his
shoulder, and a voice spoke in his ear
Good evening, Sir Gerald Tenby !"
There was a strange sheer in the voice.
Tenby's foot was on the step of the han
som, his hand was gripping the rail. So
he stood for the space of a long silence.
An instant before, his brain had been
Keeling with delight now darkness had
fallen upon him, utter, sitting darkness
the darkness Of a fear that was almost
despair.
Antonio MaTchmont did a strange thing
that same night when she found herself
alone in her room. She looked about her
in a wild, hunted sort of way, then she
tore from her right hand the delicate glove
that had covered It, and lighting q can
die, she held the glove in the fame till
the skin caught fire and smoldered to
ashes.
Il feel" she said to herself, between
her teeth, "as IL / were as great a traitor
as he! Shall I be able to carry this
through? Tonight, when he came near
me, / almost shuddered! Oh !" Antonio
cried, throwing out her arms, and walk.
ing to and fro restlessly, how is it pos.
sible that a man can be SO base, so
cruel! How can he sleep at night? Does
not Hubert's white, miserable face come
to haunt him?'
AS long as she lived, Antonio 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 10
his life he had looked pom Antonia in a
different light.
AT least" he had said, speaking aloud
his thoughts, though you are a girl, you
spare me QlSn0nOr.
Hubert Tenby is incapable of dishon.
or! Though all the world should be
against him in this, l would stake my life
on his honor y she had said. p~assionately.
Lord Marchmont had looked at her
with a dry smile.
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-.
know Hubert; and, knowing him, I 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
she was saying TO herself. How many
times have I 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 II
hau never come TO me before, I should
ave seen his hate that one day when VIZ
net on the road to the Court, and l said
such plain words to him. I took him by
surprise. and for one instant l saw lis
heart, and ! knew that be hated Hubert
With a hate that not even death could
crush out"
She rose with a sigh as she put away
some photographs and locked the box