The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1905-09-08
"A man can rake his Ia better in

the world IMAM q WOman WllfnOt.
Nonsense" The solicitor spoke In
to wealthy surroundings all your life
and Olivia Fame hasn't.CharIes Fame
was a spendthrift. Mallard! A spend
thrift who died in Il gambling den. leav-
ing his daughter an orphan with go 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 sound of Wilnot's voice
eXclaiming:
Are you mad. or a fool. to destroy
that will?"
Neither. 1 am perfectly sane. I as
sure you"
"What the dickens did you do 1t for?".
because 1 love Olivia, old man-and,
well. 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
'You are a fool, man." retoretd the
solicitor-''a q%uixotic fool. Can't you
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.
MIR. Mallard," she said, 81 overheard
some of your conversation and cannot
allow you to give up everything in my
favor. After my conduct you should
hate me. Why do you treat me so gen.
erously?"
because I am just before all things"
he replied in a low, strained voice.
ITS that the only reason?" she quer-
led, approaching him and resting her
slim fingers on his arm. rs 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 urn their way into
always appeared to him, Olivia had
never appeared SO irresistible as at that
moment.
us that not q sufficient reason. Miss
Fane?" he replied with a visible effort,
turning away his head.
mot when I said-that 1 listened to
your conversation outside the 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 o to tell me-that
you-love mel" h whispered. Wont
| you-Dick?"
For q 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?"
81 don't know and don't care" she
cried, laughing With happiness as she
lay contentedly in his arms. II am
only thankful that you do. dearest, for
I have loved o ever since I pryed
into your affairs and-read that letter
from Mr.. Wilmot."
Good old chap" cried Mallard hilar-
iously. Hes don me the best days
work which he is ever 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 pardon-it is your house"
replied Mallard stubbornly.
Shall we split the difference. then,
and ay-ou house?" asked Olivia,
happily, glancing up m~ischievously up
at him, as she raised her lips tempting
ly to his.
Being a mere man, he failed to reply,
but took the hint.