Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1894-01-11

he seemed tempted TO yleld TO TIy
inviting offer. "Ill ask her" be said,
and disappeared within the cabin.
te came out looking very detected.
She won't low it," he said sullen-
ly.
l thought what a virago of a wife
he n'Ist have and / delighted in it,
for the lazy young rascals need spur
ring on. Close behind him followed
the child whom l had learned to
know. Miss Vi'let approached apollo
getically. as right sorry, miss" she
said gravely, ''but Dads got his
awdahs fer de gem'man, an | amt
gwine to dis'pint i'm"
No one could gainsay this conclu-
sive statement.
After this | often made my way to
Miss Vi'let's cabin. Her father had
completely lost his identity. He was
simply Miss Vi'let's Dad" and she
kept him well employed, for he was
tar too prone to while away the
hours drumming or his banjo. In
answer to my inquiries as to her
aspirations Miss Vi'let said: Use gwine
to be a wash lady"
well" said, thinking to instill a
healthInl principle i'll her plastic young
nind, do lot hang your handker-
chiefs on a barbed wine fence, as is
customary here. 1t may be a saving
OF clothes-pins, but it is bad on the
linen"
Deed | doesn't do DAT way" she
answered witheringly. II dun dries
de hank'chers on de rose bushes"
than unya tha nnpa M N f,tlla
Contrary to her usual custom, Miss
Nilet failedt to appear for several days,
SD | started out one morning to seek
the cause. Just without the cabin
Miss Vilet was seated on O little raise
OF ground. Dads struck" she said
laconically as | drew near.
Struck" l repeated curiously.
yes; said az how dan glib him too
much wuk to do"
You don't mean to say that he has
left your" / exclaimed.
81 reck'n he has, miss"
At her side was a large screen frame
and her small fingers were struggling
with the unyielding cane.
THE reason you have not come to
the hotel is because you have been
trying to finish the gentleman's
screen?" ! asked.
She nodded her head. Just then n
man appeared in the pathway leading
his horse.
ats de gem'man," Miss Vi'let cried.
The pale man hesitated when he saw
me. appreciated his feeling of en-
barassment. you came to learn the
cause of Miss Vi'let's non-appear-
ances" l asked, advancing toward
him.
Yes; ! have missed her little offer
ings," he answered with his hat in
hand, and as the moving air caught
up his waving hair | noticed what q
noble brow hehad.
She has been a veritable godsend
to me-" he continued, smiling.
/ explained that the chlld's father
had disappeared from the sphere OF
his too active occupation.
Miss Vi'let proved u too severe
taskmistress," he said "but what a
coward he must be to desert such q
child"
This idea seemed new to Miss Vi'let.
Dad didn' mean ter" she said
heroically, while her lips quivered
pitifully; 'but he's pow'ful lazy"
Mr.. Denton, as the pale man was
named assured Miss Ve'let that she
need not hasten to fulfill his order,
but to wait till dad" came back.
AS the child was alone | often visit
ed her, and it happened that l had
frequent meetings with Mr.. Denton.
At first ! felt some misgivings about
these meetings. but / quelled my con-
science with the thought that his wife
could not but yield when she knew
that we met on Uncommon ground Of
a mutual interest in c fnlorn little
child. One day az we were walking
down the leafy mountain path Mr..
Denton said:
Suppose we make a combination,
Miss Sadie, and have Miss Vi'let for
Il charge for always"
His deep eyes were upon my face,
but | sprang from him, resenting what
l considered an insult.
Your wife, Mr.. Denton" / cried.
Have you nc thought for herr"
He understood mt now.
"Wife | have never had, nor yet
shah, unless you be mine," he said
gravely.
1t was my turn now to u for for
~giveness, and the blood mounted to
my face in shame that | had ever for
one moment mistrusted him. Ely
hands involuntarily went out to him.
We heard a call from above, and
looking up we deserted Miss Vi'let de.
scending the turfy bank. Her face
was filled with excitement.
Dads come back" she cried breath
lessly. can he ain gwine away M
mo-, an he's gwine to finish the gem.
mans screen to-morrer."
- N@ete M@ra