The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1906-09-20

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another his present position gives him a
certain right to approach her. l cannot,
of course, forget that he is the son of
Robert Tenby-whom / have no hesita-
tion in CHASING as one of the most unmit-
igated scoundrels 1t was ever my lot to
meet-and had this inheritance not passed
to Gerald Tenby as it has done, l should
not for an instant have given heed to
such a suggested alliance. But as things
are, do not see that have right to
object to this man as a husband for An
tonia unless It is proved to me that he is
not worthy of her"
| 'My dear Pierce, l AM sorry I cannot
be of any definite use to you. At the
same time, l must tell you that this young
man is regarded most favorably by every
body in society; brilliant future was pre-
dicted for him when he was only his un-
ce's heir. understand that he is exceed
ingly clever, and l should say that with
such wealth as he now commands a bril-
liant future must inevitably be his. You
will, however, approach Antonia yourself
before he does"
| "Antonia will obey me-" Lord March
mont said, loftily. IF give her my wish
she should marry this man she will marry
him"
AT that very moment there came tap
at the door, and Antonia herself appear
ed. The girl was looking very pale; her
eyes had a strained expression.
She carried little note in her hand.
1t was evident, from the nervous way in
which her fingers closed around the en-
velope, that this note had contained bad
news.
You want me, Antonia, my dcar?" Ed
ward Marchmont asked, hurriedly.
She had gone to her uncle, forgetting
for the moment that her father was there,
and the sight of him checked her eager
ness to open her heart to her uncle.
II hardly know how to begin," Antonia
said, with a catch in her voice. ~ hardly
know what brought me to you. Uncle Ed
| w.rd, except that feel must have some
| sympathy"
Lord Marchmont looked at his daughter
very coldly.
! Explain yourself, Antonia," he said.
"You are speaking very strangely"
| The girl turned to her uncle. 1t chilled
her suddenly to realize that what she had
to say would find but little tender treat
ment from her father.
Last night" she said, II was absent,
Uncle Edward for dinner. / fear you
must have thought this very strange; but
| l explained all to Lady Betty when |
| came home. / met with an accident as l
was driving back from Lady Charlotte
! Singletons. You see, cannot move this
arm very easily. That was not what
| kept me so late, however: it was strange
and wonderful thing, uncle. You have
heard me say that believed that Hubert
| Tenby was not dead!
Both the men who listened started, and
Lord Marchmont's brows contracted
| sharply.
"Well, DEAR" Antonia went on, her
| voice gaining a little confidence, "last
night my faith was proved to be true, for
| l met Hubert unexpectedly. He had
come back to see his father. to claim his
| fathers forgiveness, to prove his inno-
cence. We talked for long time. l had
| to tell him that his father was dead 1t
| was dreadful moment, yet when he
would have faltered, and have gone back
10 his obscurity, l told him." Antonia
| went on. very quickly, that for the love
he bore his dear father he must remain to
claim his title and his proper place; but
even while l did this, felt instructive
ly that | was urging him to face ter
rible future, and, Uncle Edward, | was
/ right. Oh! l was right" There was a
break in her voice. Il tloa't know what
it was feared, but l did fear for him.
Something has told me all along that if
Hubert came back there would be great
difficulties to overcome; that the enemy or
enemies that sent him to his ruin would
never let him work unmolested."
| IL can scarcely believe my ears" said
| Lord Marchmont, in cold. hara tone.
Are you telling us the truth, Antonia
Are you speaking of facts? Is it possi-
BILE that my daughter can have so far for
gotten what was due to herself as to pass
hours speaking with man who is moth.
Ing more or less than a felon and an out
cast? Is it possible that you. my child,
are daring to link yourself even in sym
pathy, with one so degraded as Hubert
Tenby has been proved to be-"
"And is it possible" she said in a low.
clear voice, "that you, my father, should
be so miserably prejudiced and unjust as
to condemn a man without knowing the
truth, as to turn your back upon one
whom you have known from childhood,
and deny him those rights open to every
man?"
SILENCE! How dare you speak like this
to me? l did, indeed, do a wrong thing
when let you come to this house. You
shall not remain here an hour longer than
is necessary. Get your things put to-
gether, and be ready for me when / re-
turn. am Mortified beyond measure that
my daughter should have acted and spok-
en- as you have DONE"
He walked to the door, despite the pro-
tests his brother made. He took no no.
tice of Edward Marchmont's words; pass