The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1895-01-03
X-Continued.

yOullS nuSiGlUu y DTSl tiouSh', tHp'N
tally as, though she looked ana smiled
s o swcctly. he detected Il shade of wear
mess in the dear face he knew so
well. If he could only carry her safe
ly off before the admiring circle round
Bella broke up, and before Mr.. Alex
andcr Thomson appeared in the draw
tng-room-aS he was sure to do in Il con-
dition cuphuistically termed merry"
But Mrs. GrierSon had first to he Spo-
ken to a little. and she sat close beside
his sister, who, in passing, he felt
catch his hand.
"itody,"
Was there ever n Il old or young.
who hearing himself called by IA fami-
liar voice, the pet name Of his child
hood, could stonily turn away? Poor
Rodcrick. anything but stony-hcartcd,
certainly could not.
"NNhat do you want with me- he
whispered, pretending to turn over Il
large volume Of photographs which his
sister held.
"Shc-I came here on purpose to look
at hcr-Shc is much nicer than | cX-
pcctCd."
"'lll&nk you. Is that all? Then | will
pass On. | was going to say goodnight
to Mrs. GricrSon."
The tone, studiously polite, was cX-
actly what he would have used to any
strange lady. 1t seemed to cut his sis
ter TO the heart.
Frederick, what can | do? | dare not
vcX m She holds al my pin
money; and he iS-oh, so Stingyi SD
If | had but known
you did know; | told you myself"
said ROdcrick, %stcrnly. but ii is Use
less talking. As one makes ones bed
one must lie on it,"
81 know that. And you?"
"Thcre Is no need to Spcak-wc had
better not speak-eithcr Of nc or
mine"
At this instant the gentlemen were
heard coming up; and one of them.
approaching, tapped her on the shoul-
der, with a %jovial, well, my dcar!!''
A shiver of rcpugnancc-almoSt OF
fear-paSsed over poor Bella from head
to foot. Well might the sapient Mr..
Alexander Thomson observe that
"womcn are FOOLS" but the greatest of
all fools is the woman that marries a
fool for his money.
"Jardinc! here still? DO Introduce us
my wife and mc-to our charming
siSterin-law. Or, rather Introduce her
to US. if Bella thinks it more proper"
eyes. yes, bring her here. beg you
will, and quickly. Don't you see every
body is looking AT u.s." said Bella. hur-
ricdly.
"Lct them look; it is nothing to me-"
said Nodcrick, and was walking away,
when he felt a little hand slipped un-
der his arm.
81 came not TO hurry you. dear. but
to tell you that Mrs. GrierSon offers to
take US homo in her carriage. She is
so kind. | like her so much"
Il knew you would, my darlinc,'
Bella heard the words, saw the look
and the look which answered it. A
sudden spasm, almost like despair,
passed across her face-thc DESPAIR
which Il woman. any woman, cannot
but feel on catching Il glimpse of the
heaven she has lost or thrown away.
But she righted herself speedily; and
having much of her mothers clever
ness. slipped out of the difficult posi-
ton by coming ana taking Silcnce's
two hands with an air of frank pleas
urc.
"You would not carry off my brother
this very minute, when | am so de-
lighted to see both him and you? |
an Bella. OF ourse you have heard
of Bella? Nay; you nus let me kiss
you, my dear"
The tone, if Il little patroniHing, was
kind; and though the soft check turned
scarlet, it did not shrink from the kiss.
Silence stood, neither shy, nor afraid.
nor ashamed, to receive the greeting al
her husbands sister. But when Bclla'S
husband came forward. with rough cX-
uberancc, to take his share in the sa-
lutte, she drew back.
ut is not custom In SWitZCr-
land" she said in French to her hus.
band; and, as she extended the tips OF
her fingers, it would lave taken Il
boldcr man than ever Mr.. Alexander
Thomson to offer a kiss to young Mrs.
Jardinc.
All this little scene passed within hall
n minute, attracting no attention eX'
cept from the GriersOns. who stood by
ave are OBTAINING you. and making
our family relations nccdlcsSly pub
lie" said Rodcrick; but the fact is
my wife and sister had never met be
fore. They will meet again shortly, ]
hope"