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

not without a certain masculine appT'll'h-
sivcness of domestic worry plainly written
on his face, he found the household set
tied into surprising peace.
In the first place, baby was not crying,
but asleep, Janet's young sister beng IN
stalled as temporary nursc-maid, ana n
very clever one; and baby's mother. her
grand silk dress replaced by a soft wooden
ono of Silcnce's-the two women were
nearly the same hcight-sat by the parlor
fire. Idle. certainly-Roderick remember
ed how Bella would sit for an hour
'toasting her toes" with her hands before
her-but apparently quiet and content.
He went UP and kissed her with brothcrly
affection, saying something about his
pleasure in having her in his house.
Then you'll not send me back to mine:
You did not telegraph to N as you
said YOU would"
mo"
".Nor write:"
How could | write to my mother
said Roderick, with a mixture of pride
and sadness. NO: whatever is done, YOU
must do it, not |. We will talk Of it af-
ter dinner" For he saw that Silence
had given herself the unwonted trouble
of a late dinner, just to make Bella feel
things more like her OWL ways" 1t was
Il little matter. but it touched the young
husbands heart. While he sat talking to
his sister his eyes were perpctually follow
ing the fitting figure of one who never sat
still-never knew what idlcncss was till
she had done everything for everybody.
That wife Of yours makes me so ON
Portable" said Bella. benignly. And she
is so clever, so inventive, really quite II
treasure in Il small household. In mine,
now. ! never could do anything myself as
she does. 1t must be very pleasant"
'Only. perhaps, very fatiguing. My
wife. come here and rest. just for five min
utes.' And as he kissed the tired face
he felt sure that the comfort" which
Bella So enjoyed had cost Silence some
thing.
Dinner passed. and the half hour after
ward. during which I.oderick tried hard
to admire his new niece. and to make
things as easy and cheerful as possible
with his sister. When Silcnce-always
S~ilence-had put baby TO bed. the three
gathered round the coy fire. listening
TO the how of the wind and the patter
of the rain outside, which only made most
peaceful the deep peace within.
What a quiet, pleasant life you must
have here, YOU two" said Bella, with Il
sigh.
They looked ut one another and smiled.
And are YOU 50 very poor? What do
You live upon:'
First. there is Blackhall. Then. my
wife has her income which cousin Silence
left her. and | earn mine. We put the
two togcthcr-marriage should be n fair
partnership
But it is not" broke in Bella: lit is
mere slavery. unbearable slavery. Oh.
that mine was ended. Oh. that | were
frec!'
Roderick took a hand of his wife and
sister. Let us have Il little talk together.
and face our position. which is not an
easy one. Bella, what do you mean to
doI"
Il don't know"
Then what do you wish me to do:'
Il haven't the slightest idea. But. oil.
liody, why bother me, when | am so
comfortable?"
just the old Bella-easy. plcasure-loyinp
dwelling only in the present moment
acting entirely on her impulses. of which
both the good and the bad ones wero
equally transitory. There are many srcb
IN who please a great many men
as she had done; who generally find soma
one or other to bear their burdens for
them. and go through life, as she ex-
pressed it. quite Comfortably" But MS
Roderlck looked from one To the other Of
the two beside him, he thought-no. he
loyalty refused to think-but he instinct
lively claspcd his wife's hand tighter in
his own. Small as it was, and fender
'iat was the hand for a man to cling 10.
ay, and lean on-as soon or late. men must
lean on women when trouble comes.
Bella he said, earnestly, "do Won NJ
all understand
Il understand that ! am hcnceforth
what IS called a grass widow" inter
rupted she. with a reckless laugh. "NIon-
ma must keep me, or give me my monov
and let me keep myself. My husband viii
never give me Il h~aif-penny. And Silence
says ought not TO ask him. She has thc
very oldest notions, that wife of YOURS"
kodcrick pressed the hand he hold
"liavc You two been talking t~ogcthor."
"A little"
'And You have told her evervthinps"
'Everything-made a clean breast of
IT: a pretty story, isn't it, Silence? But
its at an end now, thank God" said Bella
setting her teeth together. Even y worm
will turn at last"
snail you not 20 back TO your husband?
that Is, if he will take YOU back"
Trust him for that. lie knows ON
which side his bread is buttcrrd. MI ,Ln
Ihomsons do. They were glad onou~b
to catch me, a bright, clever, pretty rirl
yes, l was both clever and pretty once. nv
dear-to be il sort of caretakcr or keono,.
over him; he needs Il keeper when he is
drunk. And Il wife is the best sort af
ohe-say"s appearances. Thomson, az
well as Jardines would do anything IN tLn
world to save appearances"
Roderick made nc answer. lie knew il
was true The sight of his sister had
brought back the memory of many a how
ish struggle, quiXotic as vain. against tho