The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1896-03-26
CHAPTER Y.

CHAPTER V.
Heavy was Willie'S heart that night.
He WAS ashamed of himself. and dreaded
the thought of meeting Nancy steele. but
events hurried him forward. Next morn
Ing whom on his way 10 his place of bust
moss. he saw Nancy al 4 distance coming
toward him. She held her hand out i'll a
friendly way.
That WAS your Cousin Alice | saw
with you last night. | %suppose"' said
Nancy, with Il face of perfect gayety.
"Certainly not" Willie replied. What
made you think of her.
Il felt certain she must be Il near rela-
ton when ! saw her kissing YOU Then
she went on: How many such kissing
acquaintancrs have You got. Willie:'
We'll. you see. Nancy Willie be-
gan.
Il saw" said Nancy. laughing still. Il
had rather not have seen it. Willie" Now
she looked sad. Newer mind" she cried.
with a smile. and a sigh, passing on: Il
tell no tales
That night Willie came to me and laid
the whole case before me.
Tell me candidly. Doctor" he said,
what | ought to do
You ought never to speak to Miss
Vanity Hardware again: nor to see her,
if YOU can help it. | have a suspicion that
this Miss Vanity Hardware has a scorer
to keep" said |, resolved 10 tell him all |
knew. "Have YOU ever seen a wedding
ring on her finger
..What?" cried Willie. leaning up as il
a bullet had gone through him.
Il believe your sweetheart. Miss Van
ity Hardware. is a married woman |
went on. Mrs. Vanity Somebody. as sure
as my name is John Book. Don't hold
M Your hand. VIII. nor lift your voice.
nor sppak one word. have seen that
woman's husband" and | related to him
the scene | had Witnessed ii few evenings
before.
1T is snrprisinc-very surprising" said
he. like a man trying to disbelieve what
he knows must be true. but this stran.-
ar may no, be a husband after all. doe
dor"
.Ouitc true: he NAV not be q husband.
lor MS hone ne is" roulied determined I'm
give him nv whole mind. oh. Will. she
will make n fool of Won. She was horn
to deceive hearts like vours"
Uphill he hastencd with a beating heart
Somehow. as he drew nearer ia the snots
where he and Vanity used to meet the
Girl seemed to renew her entertainments
If she had any deep hidden trouble might
not he be her friend and comfortery H..
was bordering that question in \ warm
transport. when he saw Vanity standing
hafora him
IL am glad TO see Won this evening"
she said. with a serious air. ..Tbank
God YOU are here. N-illie,"
''Why are YOU so glad he asked.
81 have something m say 70 Won Wi
lie" she murmured. something very
serious."
Her voice was not the voice Of love.
Sad. timorous frlI of ~forebodipg init.
mating a dark uncertain future Willie
stopped her
And | have something 70 say to Won,
Let me sneak first"
She raised her eyes. and reod in his
face what was coming. For q moment
she seemed irresolute NOT knowipc wha+b.
or 70 sneak or he silent. and he seized
his ornnrtunitr He dr.w har 70 his sta
and in n few low words told nor how much
he loved her.
She cnuld restrain horsaIf no ,oroor
snh which onnallod her lovar hr,to from
her ashy Inns For onother moman+ sb.
struggled with Irresistible crief. tbnn All
her frame shook with crvinc and shn
buried her face in her hands
.oh Willio, NV b.ort L. hrool
night. Northumberland forever hroE.
cnr"
Awe-struck and scorcnlv knou.inc u.b,t
he did. Willie took her hand in his. But
she cast him off imperiouslv, and drew