The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1906-10-11

he remarked to Tenby. II think shall
60 by that Are you dining at the club"
Gerald Tenby bent his head. "Then I
can see you there for final instructions"
observed Stanton. His manner was calm
and practical. He suddenly addressed a
question to the valet. .
by the way, Bates. has a man been
calling here the last few days, asking to
see Sir Gerald?'
The valet colored slightly.
"Yes, sir" he answered. "Sir Gerald's
last servant has been here twice"
All! full of grievance, suppose? Well,
let me know the next time he comes. Sir
Gerald expects me to look after these sort
OF things for him. / promised Stephens
written character" Stanton said. now
addressing Tenby, "and l must see to
this"
When the door had closed upon the
valet Stanton touched Sir Gerald on the
shoulder significantly.
The net is closing, you see," he said.
Tenby shivered. Suddenly there had
flashed back to his remembrance the Wis
ion Of Antonia's pure, beautiful face; it
stung him into a very torture of remorse,
fear, self-hatred.
II almost wish it would close; then
there would be an end to this" he said,
hoarsely.
BAH" The word fell like a knife
thrust from Stantons lips. 80 once
more it is l who must work. But after
tonight be warned, Tenby--I do no more.
l only go tonight because you are too
much of a cur to see this through. Now,
'Tenby, listen; these are my orders You
are to be at your club all this afternoon
and evening, so that may send for you
in case of necessity. You understand"
Gerald Tenby rose and looked at Stan
ton, with flush of rage coloring his face.
II understand" he said, sullenly.
Then Stanton bent his head and whis-
pered a few sentences in the other mans
ear, and the rage went from Tenbys
face, and gave place again to fear.
Lady Betty Marchmont passed her time
in kind of fever till the moment came
when Gerald Tenby should be announced,
but as five o'clock came and went, and
there was no sign of him she rang the
bell for her maid, and ordered her to bring
down hat and a sunshade.
II am going out" she said, sharply;
"the house is suffocating."
On her doorstep she was met by her
butler, whose face had panied and sad
expression. The news he had to give her
was no news to Lady Betty.
The doctor was with her husband at
that moment, she was told, so she wait
ed in the hall to see the medical man as
he passed dom. When he came he wore
a troubled, even perplexed look.
IL am afraid. Lady Elizabeth" he said,
gravely, that your husband has been
overexerting himself. find him in a very
weak condition. The action of the heart
is strangely feeble. 1t seems to me he is
quite a changed man."
II assure you, DIR. Anderson" she said,
in her sweetest wsy,"I have wearied my
elf with trying to peruade Edward to put
himelf into your hand. have noticed
for some time past that he has not been at
all strong. fancy that the sudden death
of his old friend, Sir Maurice Tenby, gave
him great shock. hope you don't find
him really ill.,"
ITO tell you the truth, Lady Betty,
is in that state of health that matters
might so very badly indeed with him were
he to have a serious Illness
I'VE must be careful" Lady Betty said
qtickly, ito guard him against any illaess
of this sort. Thank you so much for com
ing, DR.. Anderson it was very good of
you"
Lady Betty passed on up to her room
with a faint smile lowering ON her lips.
Outside her husbands door she hesitated
for an instant, then, with a sbrug of her
shoulders, she turned the handle and pass
ed into the room.
The rustic of her skirts caused Ed
ward Marchmont to open his eyes. He
propped up by pillows, and he certainly
did look astonishingly ILL.,.
II am so grieved that you should be
troubled, dear" he said. 1T is only lit
tie weakness
''Dr Anderson tells me you have been
doing far too much," Lady Betty said.
Now, Edward, l shall insist that you
cease all work for time, at least"
He entreated her not to worry about
him, and when she suggested remaining
tc spend the evening in his room, he
would not hear of it.
You are always in such a demand, my
darling" he said ''and tonight is surely,
is it not, the night of the Duchess of
Chester's great ball? What do you sup
pose all your friends would say of me were
to keep you here on such an occasion?"
"My friends would do very we'll with
out me-" Lady Betty said, and there was
a touch of bitterness in her voice. Poor
Antonia am so sorry for her. must
let her know that you are ILL.,"
Her last few words had put q sudden
idea into her mind. She must get An
tonia back again. This illness was the
very means of doing it; at least IL she
could not induce the girl to stay in the
house, she would bring Ansonia to It more
frequently, and that would mean that she
would at least be able to prevent too many
meetings with Gerald. .... a