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

Gerald Tenby's face was turned from
him. The expression upon 1t was not
caught by Lady Betty, neither did she
know with what a mighty effort Tenby
conquered himself sufficiently to speak
quietly.
II did not expect you to-day, Mr..
Stanton" he said but as you have
come, doubtless we shall be able to dis
cuss some matters. There ID, Of course,
a great deal of writing to be done at this
moment"
There was a hint in this-or Lady Bet
ty imagined there was, and she prepared,
in consequence, to take her departure.
At the door of his study Gerald Tenby
paused his hands gripped each other as
though he had to fight down some uncon-
trollab BILE feeling. His face was livid. He
looked worn and many years older.
The man he had left glanced at him
with half a smile curving his lips. He
had been sauntering about the room, look
ing at the old prints on the walls, TAX
ing up a book, and otherwise amusing
himself.
Pheasant quarters these, Sir Gerald"
he said, affably.
Gerald Tenby advanced into the room
and stood and looked at him.
What are you doing hersT' be asked,
In a low, terse voice. rs this how you
keep your compact? When we parted the
other night l gave yor a large sum Of
money. 1t was"
The other man put out his hand.
"Oh! don't bother to go into Details"
no said. You did, as you have just said,
pay me q large sum Of money-the first
installment, Gerald, old chap, OF the very
large income l shall henceforward have
the privilege Of possessing; but l have
not come to talk about that
What does this mean?"
II mean simply this: that I sink or
swim with you Tenby. Does this sur
prise you 80 much?"
You are a cur! !" was the fierce retort.
II am your equal" Stanton answered,
with a sneer-"quite as fit to live in this
old place as ycu." Then he changed his
tone. Come" he said, roughly, "'let US
nave no more nonsense. You know as
we'll as l do that a man does not sink
to such depths AZ we two have sunk with
out paying something for such transac-
tons. l do not want to be paid for my
silence a. though / were a blackmailer. l
desire to have the same ambitions as your
self in fact, I intend to share your life.
Call me your friend, your secretary, what
you will, OUT don't get away from this
fact, Gerald wherever you 90 I go, what
ever you have l have also. Now that the
rightful owner Of this property is dead
by the way, you had definite proof, / sup
pose, that Hubert did die?-there is moth
ing to stand between you and this inherit
ance. That being so, since l was very
instrumental in helping you to your pres
ent position, you must not be surprised
that l claim my right to share It with
you"
I defy you !" said Tenby, and I laugh
at you, too! You think to carry 1t all
before you but I am not the man you
take me to be, Stanton! I am not to be
cowed and threatened. l am the master
here. You can 60 into the world and say
what you like. There Is not one who
will not take my word before yours, not
one who would believe you. Share with
nae! No, my friend, that you will not /!
This belongs to me alone Il passes to me
by right Of inheritance, and no one can
dispute that right"
mo one? What about Hubert Tenby7"
Hubert Tenby is dead. He died more
than Ia year ago. Do dead men come
from their graves so easilyr"
II don't know anything about dead
men," was Stanton's answer; but this
much I do know; Hubert Tenby Is not
dead! He was alive a couple Of months
back, and if l know aught of human ma
turs he will never rest till he has worked
back on you all the evil you did to him.
Now, what do you say to mef Shall we
work together, or shall I work with the
man you hate? 1t Is quite immaterial
to me which side I am on, 30 long as /
ret what / want"