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

Ben Coop stood on the pavement out
side the theater where Sylvia Castella
reigned as queen. He had recognized her
In an instant, though years had gone
since last he had seen her.
He reused himself with a shiver and
remembered where he was, and all that
had happened. And then 1t came to him
by slow degrees that this man, who was
linked In some strange fashion to Gerald
Tenby, was one who was not dear to the
woman whom years before he had known
as simple Liz.
Stanton sauntered along, lost in
thought. Even the most casual observer
would have remarked that he was not in
the best of tempers or spirits. 1t surpris-
ed Ben Coop to realize how keen was this
feeling of mistrust for this man, who but
a few minutes before had been absolutely
unknown to him.
Perhaps il had been something in the
expression of Sylvia's face that had arous-
ed that mistrust, or perhaps Ii was the
knowledge given to him in that chance
conversation that this man was so in.i-
mate with Gerald Tenby. Whatever the
cause, the fact remained that Ben Coop
seemed to gather almost unconsciousy
the truth of Stanton's nature and posi-
tion.
''No honest man." Ben said to himself,
slowly, as he followed doggedly in the
others footsteps, would be a close friend
of such a man as Gerald Tenby. Per-
man, but of two men against the lad"
Stanton walked on slowly unit! he
reached Gerald Tenby's chambers. Ben
hardly knew why he remained outside
these Chambers there was nothing to be
gained by it, unless, indeed, he mounted
the stairs and asked boldly to see Gerald
Tenby.
Finally he saw advancing toward him
rapidly man, tall, and in evening dress,
and close beside this man, following him
like a beggar who entreated aims, was
another man.
Involuntarily Ben Coop drew back a
step or two. Something in the movements
of both men urged him to do so, not that
he recognized Gerald Tenby, for he had
never seen him since the old life, but be-
cause these last few days had sharpened
his mind to an extraordinary extent. Now
the mere fact that this man was approach
ing the chambers where Gerald Tenby
lived served sufficiently to make Ben on
the alert.
Before they reached the entrance he
suddenly moved within and stood behind
the open door, for he could see that it
was in .his direction that the first man
was turning.
IL hal has tuyn Go,,
stood on the threshold, and his hearts
beat seemed to buzz in his ears as he list
ened.
.If you dare to follow me like this
again." Gerald Tenby said, hoarsely, II
will give you in charge"
.I mean to follow you, Sir Gerald Ten
by" the other man answered, "till 1 have
got some justice out of you. You think
it is an easy matter, suppose, to take
a mans bread out Of his mouth. That's
what you have done for me. There's no
one will take me on as servant when
they hear that was turned off at min
ute's notice. Look here, Sir Gerald,
may as well tell you that have felt
from the very beginning that there was
something queer in the way you discharg-
ed me. You wanted to get rid of me
because there was something you wanted
to hide, something mixed up with that
young man who asked to see you and
would not be refused when tried to send
him away"
Ben started violently. BY what chance
had he been brought to this placer Was
this the commencement of the working
out of fate?
Sheltered as he was, Ben could see
without being seen, and by the light of
the lamp Sir Grads face was clarly dis
cernible. He put aside Stephens hand
from his arm.
You were dismissed from my service
for impertinence. Let me tell you that
you don't make matters much better by
talking like this"
II may make matters much more un-
pleasant than you think for. Sir Gerald"
said the man, quietly. .'Since / have left
you, l have spent my days about this
neighborhood, and shall tell you, sir,
what have learned in those days? /
let that young man into your rooms, sure
enough, but I can find no trace of his
having left those rooms
what next?" asked Gerald Tenby,
with a kind Of sneer on his lips. Are
you pretending that spirited away this
fellow? You have no right to follow me
like this, or to say such things, and IL
you don't instantly cease this persecution,
j shall take measures to stop you."
He pushed Stephens to one side and
went swiftly up the stairs as he spoke.
As Stephens turned on his heel and
slouched out of the doorway, Ben follow
ed him and touched him on the shoulder.
May" he said, kindly, as the other
man turned on him with a snarl, 'I want
nothing from you. am here to ask you
If there is anything I can do for yc;..
Just, now I overheard a conversation oe-
tween you and Sir Gerald Tenby. | don't
think that ever afore in all my life
did so mean thing as to listen to what