The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1906-12-22
CHAPTER ~


Madame Midas was standing on the
yeranda Of her cottage. staring far away
into the distance, where she could see
the tall chimney and huge mound of white
earth which marked the whereabouts OF
the Pactolus claim. She was a tall wom-
an of the Junoesque type, with firm white
hands ard well-formed feet.
Scattered over this pastoral looking
country were huge mounds of white earth.
looking like heaps of cardad wool, and al
the end of each of these invariably stood
It tall, ugly skeleton of wood. These mark
ed the positions of the mines-the tow
ers contained the winding gear, while the
white earth was the clay called mulloch
brought from several hundred feet below
The surface. Near these mounds were
rough looking sheds with tall red chin
neys, which made a pleasant spot of color
against the white Of the clay On one of
these mounds, rather isolated from the
others, and standing by itself in the mids5
OF wide green paddock, Mrs. Villiers
eyes were fixed, and she soon saw the dark
figure of man coming, slowly down the
white mound, along the green field and
advancing slowly up the HILL She called
out to some one inside
Archie is coming, Selina-you had bet
ter hurry up the tea, for he will be hun
CRY after such long day."
The person inside made no answer save
by an extra clatter of some domestic uten-
sis. Madam walked slowly down the gar
den path, and leaned lightly over the gate,
waiting for the new conner, who was in
deed none other than Archibald McIn-
tosh, the manager of the Pactolus.
He was man of about medium height,
rather thin than otherwise, with long,
narrow looking head and boldly cut fea-
lures. His eyes were gray and shrewd
looking, his lips were firmly compressed
lin fact, the whole appearance of his
face was obstinate--the face of man
who would stick to his opinions what
ever anyone else might say TO tho con-
trary.
Dye know what this may be?' he said,
a smile relaxing his grim features as he
held up rather large nugget; it's the
third this week.
Madame Midas took the nugget from
him and balanced it carefully in her hand,
with thoughtful look in her face. as if
she was making mental calculation.
About twenty to twenty-five ounces, I
should say" she observed in her soft, low
voice 1.-THE last we had was fifteen, and
the one before twenty-looks promising,
doesn't itT
well, I'll not say but it might mean
a deal more" replied Mcintosh. with
characteristic Scotch caution, as he fol-
lowed Madame into the house Its not
a very bad sign: will not say but what
we might be near the Devils Lead
"And if we are?" said Madame, turn
ing with a smile.
''Weel mem, yell have more siller nor
yen know what to do with"
Selma Jane Sprotts, who now acted as
servant to Mrs. Villiers, was rather an
oddity in her way. She had been Mad
ames nurse and had followed her up to
Ballarat, with the determination of never
leaving Aer. Selma was a spins,er She
moved noiselessly about the small room,
in wonderfully dextrcus manner. and,
after laying the table, placed the teapot on
the hob.
BY and by Archie, who had been max
ing great splashing in the back prem
Uses, came in looking clean and fresh, with
more obstinate look about his face
than ever. Madame went to the tea table
and sat down. Archie asked blessing.
"You have written to Slivers?' said
Madame, raising her eyes.
"That wooden legged body" retorted