The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1894-03-29

Christian for help, maintenance. md aifec-
ton. Address. in ~ spirit OF sincerity.
EDNA. Gran!sboro. \. Y.
There" said Uncle Jared, tri-
%umphantly, IN adopt that child
I'll educate her."
YES" quoth Mark, cynically,
you're quite capable of making as
extensive a fool OF yourself as even
that"
IN tell you what, Mark, l want
you to get ready to 90 and bring that
orphan here"
''Hut what do you know about her,
Jared"
What do 1 need to know about
her: Isn't it enough to know that
she's in want and alone?:"
Not by IA long sight" said Mark,
nOdding his head decidedly. 'I'm
not going on any such wild-goose
chase us that unless you'll write to
the clergyman at GrantSbOrO first"
Then / suppose l shall have to,
yOu-y0u old obstinate old logger
head, said Uncle Jared, after some
consideration tor a stronger epithet.
Bring the pen and ink. quick. I've
no patience with all these absurd de-
lays"
Mark Arden waited, secretly hop
ing that the answering missiyc from
GrantsborO' might deal a death blow
to the orphan" scheme. for If it
vent into actual operation, he knew
his whimsical relative too well to
doubt the instantaneous downfall of
the air castle he had mentally built
up. with pretty Azalea and her lold-
hearted young lover as its inmates.
If the minister at GrantsborO' is
a sensible man." said poor Old Mark,
1.-The whole thing may end in smoke"
Just at this stage of the half NUT
tered SoliloQuy, Jared Arden burst
into the room with a letter in his
hand, and triumphant conviction
beaming in every feature of his face.
1--WE heard from that worthy min
lister at Grantsboro', Mark" he ex-
claimed. "a most excellent person,
I've no Doubt shall certainly send
him a draft for hi, missionary fund
BY the next mail. He tells me just
what l was convinced of beforc-that
Edna's a most deserving case, and
Just wait, though, until 1 read
you where he says. An estimablc
girl, calculated to make any home
the happier tor her presence, she car
ries with her the respect and esteem
of the whole village There. Mark.
what do you think oftthat?"
II think its all humbug," said
Mark. with great eXplicitneSS.
1t would be difficult to chronicle
the number OF times that Jared Ar
den trotted up TO the ''Blue Room"
and down again, in furtherance sOf
his plans for the happiness Of his new
charge.
The roll of wheels at the door
finally reused the old man from his
not unpleasant m%editatlons.
''Ah. they've come" quoth he,
hurrying down into the hall to re.
ccive his new charge.
Upon the doorstep stood Mark
Arden, the gaslight cleaning on his
grizz!ed hair, and a bandbox, dang
ling from a string upon his finger.
''How dye do, jay" was his rough
greeting.
"Where's the orphan?" eagerly
questioned Jared.
''ilere She IS. Come in, Miss
Edna"
And there entered a tall woman, of
the ''hatchet-faced" order, whose
limis and Joints appeared to be all
angles, and whose face was like IA
withered piece Of parchment. Her
hair. OF a dull Taken hue. was por-
tcntously thin at the parting, and
she wore large ~spectacles, through
which her light blue eyes stared rs
cXpreSsionles; as pale glass marbles.
How DO you do, madam" said
Jared. rather i'm %aticntly, as the
woman stood stock still Lc+orc him.
"Wnerc's the little giil:"
What little girl:"
''WhY, the orphan"
Il am the orphan. sir"
Mr.. Arden uttered IL short spas
medic cry, sitting it in his POCKET
handkerchief before it was fairly out
OF his mouth.
II thought you'll fancicd you were
q little girl"
Il am lifty-lve, SIR said the or
phan, eolemn!y.
"Good graciUus-thcn YOU wont do
for me, " said Jared, turning to mark.
VINO was choking with laughter be-
hind tine hat rack. Il don't want
quite such an advanced orphan. My
good woman, there ha, been Il mis-
take"
Il don't know Of any mistake,
whimpeieo tae orphan, pulling out Il
yellow silk pOcket-handk rchief and
pr pairing TO insert it under her spec
tacle>. You sent FOR he. and l be
come
''l.ut / want Il little girl to cdu-