Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1897-01-14

II notice that you have given us no
champagne as yet rem arked Daisy,
skiffully dissecting an ortolan.
"We are dining a la Russo" laughed
Iv~anovitch, land in Russia champagne
is never served until the dessert makes
it's appearance. How English people
can drink it with their joints has al
ways puzzled me. However, have some
now, If you like"
sNo, never mind" was the reply.
You're dining us, and you shall do it
your own way"
There must be an end to all things,
even to a Russian dinner; ard, in the
fullness of time, the promised cham
payne appeared with the dessert. A
few minutes later a waiter entered
with a telegram, which he handed to
Daisy. With n Few words of apology,
she opened 1t, read 1t, and handed It to
I~vanoyitcl.
What am | to dor she inquired,
cOolly.
The Russian glanced at his watch.
Take this he replied, handing her a
piece OF folded paper, half-irritabiy.
Rather smart practice, though, isn't
ft?"
'One has to DO smart, nowadays"
she rejoined, coyertly examining the
folded paper. You'll excuse my run
uing away for a few moments. won't
you, dearY' she added, turning 10 IA
n. II must send n reply to this both
ering telegram" And, without await
ing any verbal assent, she Eurriedly
quilted the room. Zana felt the situa-
ton a little embarrassing; but b de-
termlned to profit by 1t, and speak her
mind upon the subject OF the flowers.
You have been sending me flowers,
lately, Mr.. lv~anovitch," she said, cold
ly. Pray do Sc no more. | would
have returned them had ! known
your address,"
THAT is very hard on the poor flow
ers, Miss Clifford, as well rs on me-"
he answered, biting his lips; hut, of
course, l shall respect your wishes and
refrain from sending any more. VIII
you dc me a great favor? There is a
piano ver there in the corner. l am
passlonately fond OF music. VIII you
play Inc neutrality-suspicious.
Miss FitZclarence is sending her tele-
gramY'
Without a word Zana rose and went
towards the piano, while he busted
himeSlf filling the glasses with cham-
payne. Now, above the piano, WAS a
small hanging mirror, and, CHANGING to
glance up at it, Zana saw tie Russian
poCr the contents of a small via into
her glass, which he Immediately filled
up with the sparkling wine.
For n few moments Xana's heart
almost stood still. What was it this
man had put into the glass destined
for her? Did he intend to poison ner,
in revenge, perhaps, for her rejection
of his flowers? Eastern stories OF
similar acts Of vengeance fiocked to
her mind; but with them came the re-
collection of how the would-be poison
er had sometimes been .outwitted. The
same hard, set look settled on her face
us had once so alarmed Mrs. Baxter.
IL treachery was intended she resolved
that 1t should recoil upon it's author.
There was something of the tigress, as
well as the lamb, in this Eastern
maiden.
DO, pray, have n glass of wine be-
fore You begin, Miss Clifford" said
Ivanovitch, persuasively. You took
absolutely none at dinner
Thank you; ! think | WILL" she an
sSered, returning to her former seat.
Almost Immediately she glanced at
her left hand, and then raised the edge
of the tabhcloth.
81 have dropped a ring" she re-
marked, quietly.
With prompt galiantry, the Russian
at once stopped beneath the table To
search for the missing ring; and, quick
as thought, Zana changed her glass
for his.
Had he been less intent upon the
success of his own villainoCs plot,
Ivanovitch would have noticed the
deadly pallor of Zana's face as she
raised the glass TO her lips. But he
noticed nothing except that she was
humoring him by drinking the Wine.
Truly. 1t was a wierd moment. He be-
Eeyed she was slipping the contents of
the vial. which she krew, when he set
Down his empty glass, he had swaL
lowed himself.
"Faughr' that wine Is too sweet for
my palate" he exclaimed, making a
wry face. but l believe ladies all
Come, Miss Clifford, drink it up. Sure
ly, II glass OF wine "A do you no
HARM"
To avoid argument, Zana drank the
wine, and then went back to the piano
" play ub tluCh us cLt COulo NjliCllf
Der of the moonlight Sonata" glanc-
ing occasionally at the tell-tale mirror
and marveling much at Miss Fftzciar-
eJce's protracted absence.
The Russian poured himself out
some more wine, and, finding it more
to his taste than the previous sample,
he lad several glasses in SUCCESSION.
listening, meanwhile, to the music,
with a look of dreamy triumph In his
pale-blue eyes. Gradually this look
gave way to one that was almost a.
u in expression, and hi, head sever
al times fell forward, as though heavy
with q desire for slc ep. Presently he
rose, stared vacantly around Him, and
staggered towards & couch near the
wall. A sound of Keeling footsteps
reached Zana's ears, and then all was
still.
She closed the piano. advanced to
q