Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-03-17

self and Diease herself, aud no one
else, nj her life long. To her, the
temptation TO shut her ears to her
mothers forebodings and hints, and
allow things to take their course, was
almost irresistible.
She was going to die. She had all
but made up her mind to that. What
was 1t TO her hat the girl who had
taken her lover from her should come
to harm?
Suddenly the hard, despairing wo-
man burst into tears. They were not
tears of sorrow as much as tears Of
rage-rage against her faithless lover,
against the girl he had preferred TO
her. against the whole world. Yet. lit
tie by little, they softened her. Some
how she slid down upon the floor, and,
kneeling ON the boards, sent up a
heartfelt cry To Heaven.
The prayer she poured out was an
swered. Her mind became clearer.
Her heart turned. She saw that il she
really did believe that danger threat
ened this stranger, and she held her
peace. she would be morally an ac-
complete in the evil designed against
her. If the girl were murdered-and
her mothers half-veiled hints pointed
at nothing less-she would be her muir
| derer. She shuddered to think how
near she had been 10 the brink of 2
crime like that
a few miuteS later she %reappeared in
the Kitchen. where her mother was sit
ting. red-eyed but outwardly com.
posed, and went to a cupboard, from
which she fetched an old blotter and a
Benny bottle of ink.
Clearing Il corner OF the kitchen ia
BILE with a sweep of her shapely arm.
the girl sat down and wrote with great
energy for five minutes. Then. with
out reading what she had written. she
put the sheet of note-paper into an ell
velone and sealed 1t.
Where does this girl live-this Miss
Joyce?' she asked, dipping her pen
again In the ink.
You are never going TO write TO
| herr" cried Mrs. Kisch, with alarm in
her eyes. You aren't going to tell her
what | have been telling you? You
wouldn't betray me?'
Nonsense, I'm saying nothing TO
hurt you. you may be sure. Where
does she liver
Il don't know" said the old woman,
and IN This she told the truth. Blanche
saw that she either could not or would
not tell the address: and she stood for
! some time in perpleXity. Then she
| took Il generous resolve. She would go
to her false lover. TO Clovis himself,
and warn him of the danger that
threatened her rival.
She lost no time in carrying out her
intention.
1t was with a stare of wonder that
Clovis looked up and saw who it was
! that entered his room late on the FOL
lowing morning. At first he dreaded n
scene; but Blanche soon let him know
that he had nothing to G a ON II z
score.
There's a young lady hear you are
| interested ina Miss Joyce" she be-
gan. Clovis started slightly, but she
| did not notice it. 1T was she my step
| father kept shut up in the big room on
the second floor, you know. Mother
says you took her away. | want you
to 20 and tell her
"She is not in London" said CLOVIS.
quickly.
HAS she gone home TO her friends!'
''Yes."
'.Then I'm to have my journey for
nothingT"
stop. Blanche. Don't run away like
| that. What do you want TO see MISS
Joyce for!"
III she has left London, there can be
no danger" she said, as If speaking to
herself. And she resolved that, as sh.
had nothing In the nature OF PROOF OF
| her ~step-father's bad intentions, she
would say nothing about it to Clovis.
Can you give me Miss Joyce's al.
| dress?' she asked, after some minutes
of desultory conversation.
what do you want it Tor! DO you
know herT'
Never mind. l want to write to
her,"
Il can't very well give you the ad-
dress, MS she wants TO keep very sun
and quiet for the present. But shaii
bc seeing her this evening, and sha.l
be happy TO give her your note, III you
| like
blanche thanked him, and turned the
conversation into another channel,
without either accepting or refusing
his offer. There was something In
| Clovis behavior that puzzled her. 1t
was watchful and secretiye, not K
the manner of an honest man when he
speaks of the lady he loves.
when is your train?' she said, alb
ruptly.
MY trainF
eugene, 1 have caught you said
Blanche, solemnly. You told me h a
Miss Joyce was in the country and
that you would see her this evening;
and vet, when I speak of your train, 1t
ia plain from your face that there was
no idea of travelling anywhere by
train in your head"
.sYou are wonderfully sharp, my,
dear Miss Kisch,'' sneered Clovis.
.sSharp enough for you. my fine fell
low, Now, look here. l don't stir out
of this room till have Miss Joyces
address,
..rhen your have to stay here the
rest Of your life"
And you don't fool me with a false
address. You'll have to slow me a let
ter of hers, with the address written at
the top and the date. That would sat
isfy me that you are telling the truth.
But you must prove 1t to me In some
way before I leave this room"
"lou'ii find tea and sugar In that
cupboard," said Clovis; IF you should
want anything stronger"
..Don't insult me, sir. Ii you are go