Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-07-31
CHAPTER XXI.

CHAPTER XXI.
When Antonio heard that Lady Betty
had been a second time to the house she
smiled. 1t was not until the following
morning that she knew of her uncle's
illness.
The news was given to her in a letter
from Lady Betty, a cleverly worded epis
tie, suggestive Of sadness and anxiety.
Antonio went at once to the Marchmonts'
house. Lady Betty led the way up to the
sick room with a great parade of care.
You will promise me not to talk too
much, won't you, Antonia" she said.
''Dr. Anderson has given strict orders
that he must be kept very, very quiet"
When she stood by her uncle's bedside
and looked at him, Antonio had great
shock.
Il am going to leave Antonio with you,
Edward, but you must promise me not to
talk"
The instant she had closed the door and
had seen that Antonio was safe for some
hours, she went to her own room and
walked to and fro restlessly, asking her
self what VIC nd be the best means to get
at Gerald.
She had certain monkey-like touches
of cleverness. Had she been in a differ
ent sphere of life, possibly her imitation
of other peoples handwriting might have
led to disastrous results. AS it was. it
never seemed to enter her mind that she
was doing a dishonest thing when she
took up her pen and carefully setting a
letter of Antonia's in front of her began
q -
Dear Sir Gerald" she wrote, II want
to see you very much. Could you posi-
! bly, come and meet me in the park in
| about an hours time? My uncle is very
| i'll. and | am with him at this very mo-
ment; but l shall go out for a little air
about eleven o'clock. You will meet me
by the fountain. Please come. Yours,
'ANTONIA NJ"
This done, she put ne pote in an en-
velope, hurriedly donned her hat, took her
sunshade and went swiftly down the
staircase. She hailed a hanson, gave the
man the note, paying him extravagantly,
and then she turned and went to wait till
Gerald Tenby should come.
And all this time her note lay unopened
on Sir Gerald Tenby's table. He had
breakfasted early and gone out much be-
| fore his usual time.
| Have my things ready to be packed.
he said to his new valet ut is just pos
sible that | may go North this afternoon -
As he was passing out of the door his
servant spoke to him respectfully.
II beg your pardon. Sir Gerald" he
said, but does this belong to you? 1t
was picked up at the lower end of the
corridor yesterday by the woman who
cleans these rooms. 1t seems to have
been broken. and don't think you have
! the fellow to match it among your
| things"
Gerald stood and looked down an in
slant on the little jewel that lay upon
his servants outsretched palm. 1t was a
portion of a sleeve-link, enameled in dark
| blue, with an initial set in the enamel
in small brilliants.
How well he remembered this small
| link! Years ago, when Hubert had been
! a mere lad, he had been made so proud
by this gift from his father.
He had always worn them, Gerald re-
membered-these small. dark-blue enam-
! eled discs-with the letter HI set SO
neatly and so prettily in the center.
A cold sensation passed over him as
he looked upon that familiar souvenir OF
the past. He could not bring himself tc
touch it, and it was difficult for him tc
] frame his voice to seem natural as h:
answered his servant.
ut does not belong TO me-" he said
1T must have been dropped by some one
else. Probably Mr.. Stanton will know
You had better put it on one side. Did
| he tell you if he would be back to-day?'
mfr. Stanton gave me no orders at all
sir. He went in a great hurry TO catch
/ his train. lie left before l called you
| sir"
Mr.. Stanton has gone into the coun-
/ try to look me up some horses" said Ger
aid.
Il beg your pardon, sir. but there has
been man here onoa or twice asking
for YOU"
What sort of man?" demanded Sir
Gerald. abruptly. do you mean my dis
charged valet, Stephens?"
NO, sir. not him. l know him. This
mans a sort of carman. He says he was
not paid in full for carrying away some
luggage from here. OF course, 1 could
not say anything about il. sir, as it seems
this luggage was removed the evening be
fore | came to YOU
You had better refer this man to Mr.
Stanton" Gerald said. He manages all
these things for me. really don't know
what wss taken away. There were some
things belonging 10 Mr.. Stanton"
The mans manner was rather often
sive, sir" the valet said. He talked in
a strange manner. He said he ought to
have had a sovereign more than he was
given"
Sir Gerald forced smile to his lips
He took out some gold from his waistcoai
pocket.
There is one penalty attached to in
heriting a fortune. Bates" he said. with
an attempt az hghtness, land that is tina;
everybody imagiaes he or she must share
il. Give him that if he comes, and II
he should still grumble tell him to "a
/ about his business"
With that Gerald Tenby had passed
our and made his way down the stair
case, glsncing about him furtiyely, fear.
ful. he knew not of what. III and weary
he made his way 70 his club.
Heard the news, TenbyT" inquired one
Young man. careleSsly, as he sauntered
past. They say old Marchmont is dy.
ing. Lady Betty viii be incansolable.''
Dying? Edward Marchmont? Why
/ had no idea he was illr'
Taken suddenly III yesterday" obServ-
ed the youth who had spoken, in the same
careless fashion. Had a kind of fit. OF
something Of ehat sort. Good old chan
TOO. It's PITY, but its always the good
ones that 90"
Gerald wandered away from the club.
He stood every now and then TO look AT
something in the shos windows, seeir