The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1895-03-07

Could Janet go to herr"
II WILL" said Silence, and vanished
from the room.
THAT wife of yours is the very kindest
of women, Rody; but | hope she will not
ovcrfatigue herself" remarked Bella,
politely. though making no effort to pre-
vent the fatigue. She always had a trick
of never doing for herself what another
was willing to do for her. And as she
sat in the armchair, her feet on the
fender. she looked the very picture of
luxurious ease, except for the hagSard,
restless look so sad to see.
Il mist leave YOU" Roderick said.
"Iou know, Bella, | am a working man
now and get my own living"
Yes. she told me. 1t must be very dis
agreeable"
"On the contrary, l rather like it. Daily
bread. honestly earned, is far sweeter
than the old idlcness.
rs it? Then | wish l could earn mine
You have no need. having your own
Independent fortune"
YES: he can't get it. mcrcifully: NAM
nj tied it up too safe. But neither can |
unless she choose. She will do nothing
for me unless | stay with my husband
like a respectable woman as she says.
/ doubt if she will ever forgive my run
ming away-even to my own brother
WHO, l suppose, is not respectable"
said ROderick, bitterly. Nevertheless,
she must be told. Shall telegraph to
her for you this morning."
He spoke firmly. having already made
up his mind to this; but he was not pre-
pared for the agony of terror and misery
u-hi.b ,o ~ nvar tho unfnrtMnDtn wifp
Tell her, and she'll tell my husband,
and he will come and fetch me. Not that
he cares for me-not a pin: but only for
the sake of appearances. Oh. Rody, don't
tell anybody. Keep me safe-hide me.
If You only knew what | have suffered"
My poor Bell, my Heather Bell" said
he, tenderly, using the old pet name he
had invented for her in the days when
they played together "among the broom
At that she quite broke down.
"Oh. / wish ! were n girl again. |
wish-J wish | had never married. Some
body once said to me that IA woman has
always a future until she is married, then
she has none. Tied and bound-tied and
bound forever. And l am but seven-and-
twenty
That look. half appeal. half despair, it
went to ROderick's heart, for he knew 1t
was only too true. She was tiled and
bound" with the chains she had herself
riveted. Even her own brother, however
he pitied her, was powerlcss to set her
free.
only seven-and-twenty," she repeat
ed. "Such a long life before mellow
am | to bear it: Till death do us part
And | cant die. And he-he won't die;
these sort of people never do
Hush said Roderick. turning away
aghast. You don't know what you are
saying"
Il do know it only too we'll. Many Il
time. when. after raving like a mailman.
he has sunk to a mere drunken dog, and
lain asleep Oh his bed like n log OF wood,
! have thought of Jael and Sisera, or
Judith and Holofernes, II others OF
those holy murderesses. If it would only
please God to take him, as our minister
saws, He would be much better in heav-
en-. He couldn't get any drink there.
This chastity mixture of the horrible
and ludicrous, added to what he knew OF
the utter rccklessness of Bellas nature
when reused. was almost too much Tor
Frederick TO bear. He looked instructive
IL round for the one who was always at
hand helping him to bear everything;
hut silence was still absent upstairs.
Then. having a firm hand on the poor,
violent woman, at once violent and weak
it is so often thus-he placed her BACK
in the chair.
..You are talking nonsense. Bella; you
know YOU are; the most arrant nonsense
or worse. Don't be afraid; you have Il
brother still, who will do his best 10 take
oora Of Won. hut YOU must let me do it III
rho r;obt voy. Nothing cowardly, nothing
underhopd Your mother. at least, must
ho told whore YOU are. My wife says so.
She and | were talking it over this morn
ny"
VERY kind
at was kind and wise, too" was the
grave reply. 'Silence is the wisest woman
] know
And | the most foolish. 1t looks like
# Very we'll. Cast me off if you like.
Turn me out-of-doors. I'll take the child
and 60"
But it was only a historical impulse
which ended in a flood Of hysterical tears.
Utterly bewildercd and perplexed, Rod
erick went to the foot of the stairs and
called silence in the sharpcst tones he
had used since his marriage.
Why do YOU leave me: You know l
can't do without YOU" he said. Then add
ed. az she descended with the wailing
child in her arms, lit is hard for you, too.
my wife. Our peaceful days are all
done"
moi quite" she said, smiline-it was
wonderful the sweetness of her smile
whenever she had that baby in her arms
Il see" when she perceived Bella, and
heard her frantic sObbing. My friend"
the loving mon ami which she still used
sometines), you are of no use here.