The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1896-12-03

a. well rs one OF the WplltllleSt.
CAPTAIN Nance's handsome eyes -leam-
ed with interest.
Rich. is she? Some people are fortu-
nate. To be rich and beautiful is to have
an undue preponderance of this worlds
gifts. Tell me about them. Gladys
Lady Rooden is the widow of Sir
Charles Rooden. Of Rood Abbey. He died
quite suddenly four or five years ago-he
was drowned, l b~elieve-and left the
VIII 10 of his large fortune to her"
"She will be a prize, them" continued
the Captain. "And what fortune has the
daughter"
although he was so wealthy, Sir
Charles left no separate fortune to his
daughter; but at her mothers death every
thing goes to her-not before"
what will happen if the mother mar
ries again? ?" asked the Captain.
Nothing. Her husband would have
the full use of her wealth while she lived;
but it would so to her daughter at the
mothers death"
'And what" he asked, looking up sud-
denly-''what if the daughter dies before
the mother?"
Then the whole of the property be-
comes hers, to do with as she wills.
What c~old-blooded questions you ask,
Vance,
Il like to understand" he returned. at
is rather a novel state of things, and l am
getting quite Interested
II wish to heaven that you had Rood
Abbey and a large fortune"
$50 do l." sighed Gladys.
"What Il curse poverty is" he contin-
ued. Here are you and / we love each
other-we have not said much about it, but
we love each otheI-and yet
81 know" she interrupted. raising her
face. which was full of pain. to his-''I
understand"
eff my career had been Il little less
mad" he signs. regretfully. Il have
wasted two fortunes, and | doubt much
whether | shall ever have Il third. We
are in the same position. Gladys-you
will have to marry money, and | must do
the same"
Il suppose it must be So" she said,
resignedly. But he noted the pain in her
eyes, and the trembling of her lips.
Il know no two people i'll the world
who would be SO happy together as you
and l." he added; yet, because we Meth
er of us have money, we must stiiie our
love and always live apart. | wish you
had fortune, Gladys, or that people could
do without money"
80 90 l." said Gladys Ranc, with Il
bitter sigh.
Yet neither of them for Il mOment
dreamed of what want of money and the
desire to obtain it would DO for them in
the future. CA that bright May morning.
among the hyacinths in the sunlight. no
warning came to them of the shape the
future was to take.
Every one seemed to be talking of
Lady Roodcn and her daughter that even
ing. Captain Vance went to his club, the
Royal. and found thcy We're the topic of
conversation there. Netting SO interest
ing. nothing SO FRANCE. had been dis
cusSpd for some time-a mother beautiful
and fair as her WI most beautiful child:
Il child in grace and loveliness the rival
Of her OWE mother. The discussion was
IT its height when Nynyard entered the
S~moking-room.
II think all London has gone crazy
about the new beauties" he remarked.
".Ashton." he continued. turning to one of
his most intimate friends. you were at
the Embassy bali last evening. Did YOU
see thcm!'
Yes; they were both t~here-Lady
ltooden and her daughter"
(Which is the BELIEF asked Wynyard.
Il could not tell YOU. | have never
seen two women SO perfect. The old
comparison of a rose and il rosebud is
weak. No one would believe them to be
mother and daughter; they are like
younger and elder sister-the daughter SO
slim and graceful, the mother tall and
stately. There is not such another pair
in London
Should you think there was any pros
pect of the mother remarrying?" asked
Wynyard.
Yes, l should think it is almost Ger
tain; and l think | can guess who the
man is who will marry her"
who is he?" asked the ex-Captain,
~anXiously.
THE one who ~flatters her most" laugh
ed Mr.. Ashton; she will be the one to win
her. That is her ladyship's weak side"
Neither billiards nor cards had any
charm for Vance Wynyard that evening";
he was unusually thoughtful and en-
crossed. If he sighed at times. it was
because memory brought To him wildly
the beautiful, sorrowful face of Gladys
ltane.
Go be continued.)