The Red Cloud chief., 1901-03-29
nr,oro IL n UNIV IN insure H."


she said. thoughtfully.
"Wby look further, Rita? You can
pay your fathers debt, II you WILL"
"Did you know, when you came here,
Rafe yondeldorf, that had promised
TO be Gustave FEEDERS wife"
Il had heard such a rumor," he
replied. stammering.
at Is not rumor merely, but truth!
Would you make a perjured woman
your wife?'
81 would do anything to win you.
Rita. You shall pay me for the old
mortgage"
IL have no money" said Rita, cold.
ly.
But your dear little hand, fair Rita
that Is as good as gold"
AS good as gold!
What put those words into his
mouth! Little he knew, as he stood
watching her delicious young beauty
with eager eyes, Of the train Of
thought he had started!
How long will you give me to de-
cide?" she asked In low voice.
"You may choose your own time.
But II your answer is no. the mill
must be sold!"
"You may go now, and week from
tonight I will give you my answer"
There was nothing else for him to
do, for Rita had turned her back on
him. and was leaning over her father
with n flushed but eager face
He drew a fierce breath OF desire,
as he thought to himself what a treas.
ure he would gain, and then turning
away, went down the valley out OF
sight. Ritn's heart was dancing with.
In her, for she remembered she had
what was as good as gold, and that
with that treasure, she could buy her
father full cup Of JOY.
The next day Rita was missing
from the MILL and neither her father
Gustave, nor Rafe Vondeldorf knew
where to look for her. Just as they
were preparing to search for her
Gustave received a note, saying the
wedding outfit was purchased. and
he should be at the mill with their old
pastor, the next night.
"Gustave. she will marry Rafe. She
Is cruel to ask you to come!'
But Gustave trusted the girl he
loved. and so he waited patiently fol
her arrival.
Just at dusk she came home, ant
after kissing her old father and put
ting in his trembling hand a purse OF
gold, she turned to Gustave. who was
watching her curiously.
"Gustave. will you make me YOU
wife tonight. and come to help father
with the mlll?'
"Yes-but-tak Off the little cap
Rita. 1t makes you look 80 odd"
"My little cap" laughed Rita. "Tha
IL to be the badge Of my wifehood
Gustave. You must learn TO like it.
Then Rita stood up with her lover
and promised to be his true and lovin,
wife; over them the good old pasto
stretched his hands In blessing, ant
the old father kissed them and calle,
them his children.
Then Rita took off her odd little ca
and burst into tears.
"My glory is gone, dear Gustave. d
you love me lessf"
"Ritaw screamed her father, 'yO
have sold your beautiful golden hair
The golden glory that wrapped yO
IKE veil Is goner'
But Gustave held her in mis- stron
, arms and kissed her, and SO she foun
| pniirn " tn toll tho atory.
How the old merchant who ha
stopped at their house one night. ha
. looked at her wonderful hair and OF
fered her two hundred and fifty do
lars for it, telling her that in all hi
life he had not seen such treasur,
1T Is as good rs gold" he had sal,
and when Rafe had used the san
words, accidentally, the thought ha
, flashed through her mind that so st
could redeem the dear home, and ma
ry her Gustave.
Rafe VOndeldorf was bitterly el
ragged. when he came for his answe
to find Rita already n bride. and
% !, took the money obtained In such
" strange way, with very bad grac
but the three happy hearts In the o
- mill minded his anger very little, 4
;, the debt was honestly paid. and Rit
dear, fair Rita, would never die
- homesickness.-Saturday Night.