The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1906-05-17
CHAPTER yIII.--(Continued.)

she gently withdrew.
\ II thought by your manner that you
were about 20 communicate something
of Importance" said Kate eyasively,
land with the least possible shadow Of a
smile, which being observed by Dix,
gratiied him very much.
II was about to confide to your safe
keeping secret, which must transpire
sooner or later. l do this as proof of
that strong yet tender friendship which
4 have cherished for you for many
months For the last few days I have
mot been idle. True to the great cause
for which have been constantly in the
saddle, warning all the Royalists in this
and the adjoining settlements to meet
at an old field near the cross roads. I
found them wide awake for the enter
prise, and tomorrow they will begin to
assemble"
'Indeed!" exclaimed Miss Martin.
with considerable emphasis.
1T is true" added the Tory; "and
have been promised a captains commits
sion. If you really feel that friendship
Tor me that your glowing cheek and timid
manner would seem to Indicate, trust
you will keep this little piece OF gossip
a profound secret until we make our
selves known and feared by our deeds.
lIt Is always well to be guarded about
matters of this kind. One of our first
movements after getting fairly organ
fzed, will be to hunt up Gen. Marion and
his ragamuffin crew, and rid the coun-
try Of such vagabonds."
DO you suppose you can gather much
Of company, Captain DixT'
"About sixty resolute fellows as ever
drew sword; all mounted, too"
1T win be In your power to throw a
strong protection around my father"
said Kate.
IF his fair daughter proves kind and
considerate, he shall suffer no harm in
person or property." was the reply.
And IL she should not prove kind
and considerate, what then" asked the
maiden.
Il will not be answerable for his safe
~ single day--no, not for single
hour?' exclaimed Dix, striking the table,
emphatieally.
20 dear, don't look 20 stern, Mr.. Dixr'
cried Kate.
Il made my last remark, gentle neigh
Dor, that you might know precisely how
the case stands. I wish you to look at
the subject In plain. reasonable and
matterof-fact way, and act accordingly.
You must endeavor to influence your
father"
"Must II" asked Kate.
Il have said it, my dear, and pardon
me if insist upon compliance"
Certainly, captain; you're so much
deeper than am, and know so much
more about these things"
You are the most sensible and rea-
sonable Of girls, and I shall always adore
you. You do not think me positively
hateful, do youY asked Dix, in coax
fng voice.
II will express my sentiments more
freely at our next interview, perhaps"
was the playful rejoinder.
Further conversation Of this nature
was prevented by the entrance Of Mr..
Martin.
Dix departed, and left Kate mistress
of his secret, and greatly his superior
In shrewdness. She had experienced
considerable difiiculty In controlling her
virtuous indignation during the inter-
view, but feeling that much good might
iresult from the practice of some self
control and little discrimination, she had
passed through the scene triumphantly.
Her noble and ingenious mind at first
eeyolted against the idea of deception
In any case whatever; but as she looked
unto Dix's character, and perceived what
he was trying to accomplish, she con-
Quered her aversion, gained a deeper
Insight into his natnte, and overcame him
On the skillful playing of that game at
which he considered himself an adept.
The unutterable repugnance which she
felt in her pure soul when he departed,
must be left solely to the imagination.
4 Her father soon after remarked in her
hearing that II was greatly to be regret
ted that O young man who appeared so
honorable and honest In his intention,
should embrace so bad a cause.
4.Do you refer to Mr.. Dix. fatherw
asked Kate. s'Then am sorry to be
forced to say that you are egregiously
mistaken In his character. A more un-
Iprincipled person II has never been my
fortune to be acquainted with"
"Yor words greatly astonish me-"
acclaimed the pastor. "You should not
Irondemn Mr.. Dix so severely on account
IDf his political sentiments"
~You shall Judge for yourself" an
nwered Kate; and she rehearsed the con-
|versation in detail which had transpired
between herself and the party referred
Ito.
Mr.. Martin was exceedingly surprised
ut the unexpected relation, and felt that
II was indeed difiicult to judge Of char
|acter By the outward seeming.
.Thinrs have now assumed an aspect
entirely unexpected" he added II am
|pained, embarrassed and indignant. We
are placsd In most unsnviable position.
II have long known that the Jealous eyes