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

Antonia had given very little thought
to her uncle's wife in these long, sad, anx-
fous days, and she was almost startled
on the afternoon following that meeting
with Gerald when a little note was
brought to her with the message that
Lady Betty Marchmont was waiting be-
low in her carriage and desired to see
her. The girls first instinct was to re-
fuse the request.
But even while she paused, Lady Char
3otte's maid came to tell her that Lady
Betty had left her carriage, and had TAX
en-. it for granted that Antonia would
nee her; it would be, therefore, impossi-
bic for the girl to avoid going down
stairs.
Lady Betty, to carry through her plans
ms regards Gerald, however, had to play
n role with Antonia. Therefore she be-
gan to probe Antonia deicately.
There is something written in your
face that seems to tell me you are still
troubled, that the news that caused you
20 quarrel with your father is still the
same"
Hubert is still missing" answered An
tonia; "for five long days he has been
lost to us. You remember that / spoke
60 you of this faithful friend of his; it
is Ben who has been searching; yet we
cannot find a trace of Hubert"
"Oh! you must have help" cried Lady
Betty. This is not the matter for an
amateur; you must have professional aid.
You ought to have had detectives from
the very beginning"
.It is this suspense, this uncertainty"
Al t,x Iou- 1t,Ha
- that kills slowly"
you must hope always, dear; am
Snre you are passing through very hard
time; but, believe me, 1t will come to an
end-a happy end, mean."
At that moment the door was opened,
and one of the maids appeared.
"Sir Gerald Tenby wishes to know,
miss, IL you will speak to him for few
minutes"
/, Betty Marchmont TUNED very pale. She
seemed to tremble from head to foot. This
was confirmation of what she had i'm
agined: but she found that the truth was
very unpalatable. Antonia had said one
word only as the maid gave her this mes
sage.
Impossible !" fell from her lips, and
Back to her memory came the task she
had set herself; the acute necessity of OBJ
tanning information about Hubert, no mat
ter at what cost to herself. Before she
could speak, however, Lady Betty had
sprung to her feet.
"I will see Sir Gerald for you. An
tonia," she said, hurriedly; you really
are not fit to see any one. Let me ex-
plain to him that you are ILL.,"
A slight frown contracted Antonia's
brows. Once again there rushed over her
mind that strong feeling of distrust for
this other woman. Her manner was at
Ats coldest as she spoke in answer:
"There is no need to burden yourself
with this errand" she said, unless, of
course, you wish to speak to Sir Gerald
yourself"
But Lady Betty was already half out
of the room.
81 can explain so much better than a
maid" she said, and she passed down the
staircase with an excitement thrilling her.
Gerald was waiting on the doorstep. He
had refused to enter the house until he
knew that Antonia would see him. His
face was very dark as he turned sudden
Nv and saw Betty Marchmont coming to-
ward him.
She saw his expression. and resented
1T bitterly; but this was too good an OPP
portunity to be lost. She made full de-
gsnand on her subtlety.
"Ic does not want to see me- she sail