Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1906-06-21
Mignon's
Political By
BELLE
Instinct INMATES
Copyright, 1905. by e. @. PARCELS


tive mansion, the home of her uncle,
Stephen Thorn, governor Of the state,
likewise guardian of Ruth. Sometimes
II was difficult for him to determine
which of these positions presented the
more intricate complications.
He was past his youth, but had not
yet approached middle age. The ex-
school friends found him awe inspiring
and regarded him from a distance with
romantic interest
"That little sllvery patch on each
temple is so distingue," ardently de-
clared Lucille.
Makes one think of the leading man
In play when ten years are supposed
to elapse between acts" giggled Mi
gnon Gray.
1t was source of delight to the 9th
ers that even Mignon felt the influence
of their hosts demeanor and refrained
in his presence from indulgence in friv-
olous conversation.
To Mignon 1t was a matter for cha
grin. She fortified herself continually
by impressive reminders that he was Of
the people, for the people, by the peo-
pie, even as she, and that governor
was not so much anyway, but the gu
bernatorial dignity hung round him
still, and her forced courage oozed
away whenever he addressed her.
One morning the retinue, with the ex-
ception of Mignon, trooped away to
the golf links Mignon remained at
home to write letters, but when she
knew herself to be alone In this big.
stately house she suddenly experienced
a sensation of her childhood days and
was impelled by az Irresistible desire
ito be naughty" The daring idea Of
calling upon Ruth's uncle seized her.
"rd like to see him ON duty" she
unused. II might-yes, will--go incog-
nito."
There was a chest upstairs contain
Ing garments belonging to Ruth's de-
parted kin.
Presently there emerged from the ex-
ecutive mansion a quaint little figure
clad In an old fashioned flower sprlg-
ged skirt, lace mantilla, neat straw
bonnet and lace edged veil.
The capitol was only short distance
from the executive mansion, and Mi
gnon met few persons. The guard who
stood In the broad corridor as she en-
tered did not vouchsafe her second
glance as he directed her to the execu-
tive office.
Mignon did not follow his directions.
Ruth had told her how she gained his
hurry and did not have time for the
red tape channels of approach through
private secretary and messenger. She
slipped into the governors parlor" and
boldly opened the door from there into
his private office.
The governor Glanced to be alone.
and he turned in surprise to see who
was so bold In intrusion.
did you wish to see me, MADAME
he asked in courtly manner placing a
chair for the visitor.
"You are the governors" asked a
queer high pitched voice.
IL am" he admitted.
IL came to see IL you would give me
q position in the capitol. | am the wild
ow of soldier--and--I pay taxes
"a soldiers widowY' asked the gov.
ernor, with interest. I'm what war did
your husband serve. civil or Spanish.
American
fore Mignon decided to locate 'her
husband" In the civil war.
'sWhat was his company, and in
what regiment did he enllstY'
Silence.
"Don't you know the number OF his
regimentyv
''Oh, yes: thirteen"
"And what stateY
Pennsylvania"
"And what was the letter Of his COM
panyY' he asked, beginning to make a
memorandum.
''Why-Rw triumphantly.
His pencil poised.
1.-The companies were only lettered to
X for infantry. you know
Then probably It was K.v she said.
TX looks like r, you know"
Eyes, sometimes" he admitted. "but
what kind OF position did you wish r.
ANY positionr' desperately.
ssWhat experience have you hadY'
II have copied legal papers" remem-
bering brief she had once copied for
her father. who had wrathfully con-
signed Il to the danes with the criti-
c1sm that X resembled his Chinese