The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1906-09-06

llii everything IL dTrdHSeu anu your en-
gagement can be made public
II give you this promise very easily"
said Antonia in her earnest way. II do
not know that / should have spoken about
Hubert even to you, had / not felt that
must give you an explanation of my
absence last night. l had thought of
telling Uncle Edward that Hubert has
come back. do not think there would
be any harm in that" ~
Dear Edward is the last person in
the world that should be told anything
50 important Ny dear Antonia, you
cannot imagine what an absent minded
creature he is! l myself have more than
once sharply regretted having spoken to
your uncle on certain subjects. He does
not mean to make muddles; he is so good
such dear old thing! But he makes
them. Well, l am glad that you see the
necessity of silence, Antonia. 1t is only
fair to Hubert that he should clear him
self, and until he does so, dear as he is
to yous you must not let yourself be pub
licly associated with him. 1 am quite
sure" Lady Betty said, meekly, that he
himself would wish this
Il thank you very much, Lady Betty.
Hubert will clear himself. OF that am
quite sure. Whether the world knows
of my engagement or not is a matter of
complete Indifference to me. But, as
am in your house, and you seem to think
it wise that should say nothing, l will
do what you wish"
Thank you, DEAR" Lady Betty said,
affectionately.
Gerald Tenby was already in town. He
had travelled up the night before, and
when Lady Betty's little note was handed
in by the footman at the door of his
chambers he was pacing to and fro in
his rooms. His thoughts were all of
Stanton. A wild and impotent anger rag
ed in his heart.
Old Sir Maurice was dead; Hubert
lost, and perhaps dead also; and he
Gerald-reigned at Mill Cross Court. And
yet the very moment of his triumph, the
same hour that saw him transformed into
one of England's greatest men, saw also
the commencement of bitterness that
would eat to the very heart of that great
ness.
Gerald felt sick as he conjured mp what
lay before him in the future He had sad
died himself with an enemy that would
cost him very dear.
As this thought passed through his
mind, the door opened and Stanton came
in. The two men stood and looked at
each other for an instant; then Stanton
spoke:
II thought I should find you here.
have something of Importance to say to
you."
Gerald's lips curled with snee..
Another check, suppose %
nave only just begun" Stanton
said. Before we separate to-day, Tenby,
I shall lay before you certain PROPOSE
tion by which you pass over to me hun.
dred thousand pounds. / am not joking
Tenby. This sum of money must be
mine before the week is out, OF"
"Or what?' demanded Gerald Tenby.
"What will you do, friend Stanton, if /
refuse? You may be able to hurt me So
ciaIly-yet doubt it; for the world, like
you, loves money. am Sir Gerald Ten
BY. and have power"
II think you will do this" said Stan
ton, and his voice was full of signifi-
canoe. az have something to tell you,
Gerald. Hubert Tenby is alive! Hubert
Tenby Is in Englandw
There was silence in the room-a pro-
longed silence-in which the sound of a
knock at the door broke almost sharply.
Sir Gerald's man servant advanced into
the room.
This gentleman, sir" he said. Twill
take no denial. l told him you were en-
gagged, but he refuses to wait"
He turned as he spoke toward a fig
ure that had followed him through the
doorway.
1t was Hubert Tenby who stood there.