The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1905-09-08
"A. man a make his way better In
lie world thar a IN

the world than a woman, Wilmot."
Nonsense" The solicitor spoke in
irritation. You have been accustomed
to wealthy surroundings all your life
and Olivia Fame hasn'tY,Charles came
was q spendthrift. Mallard! A spend
thrift who died in a gambling den, leav-
ing his daughter an orphan with $40 a
year to live on. She is accustomed to
genteel poverty and
GIVE me the will. Wilmot! There
must be some clause about her in it."
There is none Look for yourself"
For a moment there was silence, then
the stiffness was broken by the sharp
wrench Of tearing paper, silenced only
by the sudden VI of Wilmot'S voice
eXclaiming:
that will?"
Neither. 1 am perfectly sane, I as
sure you"
what the dickens did you do 1t for?'''
Because I love Olivia, old man-and,
we'll, after all, I am only a usurper."
A sudden dizziness seemed to seize
Olivia as she listened to Mallard's con-
fession. Her eyes were dimmed with
happy tears as she braced herself to-
gether to enter the room.
You are a fool, man." retoretd the
solicitor-"a q%uixotic fool. Can't o
see that the girl hates every bone in
your body?'
DO you think, wilmot, that I could
enjoy my wealth knowing that the
woman 1 love is pressed for money,
which should be hers by right"
With a smile Of contempt the solic-
itor turned away as Miss Fame entered
the room.
"Mr. Mallard," she said, IT overheard
some of your conversation n cannot
allow you to give up everything in my
favor. After my conduct you Shout
hate me. Why do YOU treat me so gem
erously?"
because I am just before all things"
he replied in a low, strained voice.
Us that the only reason?" she quer-
led, approaching him and resting her
slim fingers on his arm. lis that the
only reason, Mr.. Mallard?"
He gazed down at the lovely face up
turned to his, at the deep violet eyes
which seemed to turn their way into
his very brain. Seductive as she has
always appeared to him, Olivia had
never appeared so irresistible as at that
moment.
us that not a sufficient reason. Miss
Fane?" he replied with a visible effort,
turning away his head.
Not when I sald-that I listened to
your conversation outside h door, be-
YOU told Mr.. Wilmot the true reason
Of this quixotic folly-won't you tell me,
too?'
"Dos't you realize what you are ask
ing me to say?" he cried hoarsely,
facing her.
81 am asking you to tell me-that
you-love mel" she whispered. won't
you-Dick?"
For g. brief second silence reigned,
then Mallard gathered her up in his
arms and imprinting kiss after kiss on
her resistless lips, said ~passionately:
MY beautiful darling, does the being
exist who, once having seen you, does
not?"
IT don't know and don't care" she
cried, laughing with happiness as she
lay ~contentedly in his arms. 1T am
only thankful that you do, dearest, for
I have loved you ever since I pryed
into your affairs and-read that letter
from Mr.. Wilmot."
Good old chap" cried Mallard hilar-
iously. "He's done me the best days
work which he is Yer likely to do me,
so I'm hanged if I don't stand him the
best bottle of champagne hat is in
your cellar, dearest"
"Your cellar, Dick" she cried mer-
rily. Its your house, you know,
DEAR"
II beg your p%ardon-it is your house."
replied Mallard stubbornly.
Shall we split the difference. then,
and SAVIOUR houSe?" asked Olivia,
happily, glancing up mischievously up
at him, as she raised her lips tempting-
ly to his.
Being a mere man, he failed to reply.
but took the hint.