Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1907-03-29
by Fergus Hume

That style suits Sarah Bernhardt, not
you, my dear. The first act of this com
edy is excellent, but it is necessary the
characters should know one another in
order. to finish the play"
"Ah J" said Kitty, with a bitter smile,
do | not know you too well, as the man
who promised me love and then broke his
word? You forgot all your VOWS to me-
MY dear child" replied CASTOR leis.
urely, leaning up against the mantelpiece,
"if you had read Balzac you would dis.
cover that he says. Life would be intol.
cradle without a certain amount of for.
getting | must say" smiling. Il agree
with the novelist"
Kitty looked at him as he stood there
cool and compliment, and threw herself
back into the chair ~angrily.
Just the same she muttered restless
ly, Just the same
Eyes, my Bebe," he said, in a caressing
tone, taking her hand.
mo, nor she cried, wrcnching them
away, while an angry spot of color glow
ed on her cheek. Il loved you as you
were-not as you are now-we are lone
with sentiment, NJ. Nandeloup,'' she said,
sneering, "and now our relations TO one
another will be purely business ones"
~ Siiu yNh IL lDSltItI,
he said, blandly Il see the age of mira
cles is not yet past when a woman can
talk sense"
"Yon won't disturb me with your
sneers.'' retorted the girl, glaring fiercely
at him out of the gathering gloom in the
room.
Bah" he said, gaily, "our comedy is
turning into a tragedy; l nm as foolish
as you l think" significantly, I'VE under
stand one another"
Yes, / think we do" she answered,
calmly, the color coming back to her
check. Neither of us is to refer to the
past, and we both go on our different
roads unhindered."
"Mademoiselle Marchurst,'' said Vande-
loup tremendously, II am delighted to
meet you after a years absence-come."
with a gay laugh, "let us begin the comedy
thus, for here" he added quickly. as the
door opened, here comes the spectators"
well, young people, said Madame's
voice, as she came slowly into the room,
you are all in the dark ring the bell
for lights, M. Vandeloup."
Certainly, Madame he answered,
touching the electric button. Miss Mar
churst and myself were renewing our for
mer friendship
"How do you think she is looking?"
asked Madame, as the servant came in
and lit the gas.
Charming" replied vandeloup, look
ing at the dainty little figure in white
standing under the blaze Of the chande-
lier; 'she is more beautiful than ever
Kitty made a saucy little curtsey, and
burst into a musical laugh.
Sic is just the same, Madame she
said, m%errily, to the tall, grave woman
in black velvet. who stood looking at her
affectionately, full of compliments, and
meaning one but when is dinner to be
readyI' pathctically I'm dying of star
vation.'
81 hope you have peaches, Madame
said yandeloup, gaily "the first time I
met Mademoiselle she was longing for
peaches"
81 am unchanged in that respect re-
torted Kitty, brightly Il adore peaches
STILL
II am just waiting for Mr.. Cation
said Madame Midas, looking at her
watch ''he ought to be here by now"
rs that the lawyer, Madame?' asked
Vandeloup.
'Yes," she replied. quietly, she is a
most delightful man."
$50 have heard" answered vande-
loup, nonchalantly, and he had something
to do with a former owner of this house,
l think"
"Oh, don't talk of that" said Mrs.
Yilliers, n~ervously "the first time / took
the house I heard all about the owner
being murdered"
"Why, Madame, you are not nervous
said Kitty, gaily.
mo. my dear replied the elder, quiet
Iy. ''but / must confess that for som
reason or another / have been a little
upset since coming here I don't like be-
ing alone.
You shall never be that" said Kitty,
fondly nesting to her."
Thank you, puss,'' said Madame, tap
ping her cheek .'but / am nervous she
said, rapidly ; "at night especially. Some
times I nave to get Selma to come into
my room and stay all night
Madame Midas nervous" thought
to himself; then 1 can guess
the reason she is afraid of her husband
back to her"
Just at this moment the servant an
nounced Mr.. Cation. and he entered, with
his sharp, i~ncisive face, looking clever
and keen.
II must apologize for being late, Mrs.
yilliers,'' he said, shaking hands with his
but business, you know, the
pleasure of business"
"Now," said Madame, quickly, 81 hope
you have come to the business Of pleas
Very epigrammatic, my dear lady"
said Cation, in his high, clear voice
pray introduce me-"
Madame did so. and they all went to
dinner, Madame with Cation and Kitty
following with vandeloup.
.'This,' observed Cation, when they
all seated at the dinner table, sis the
perfection of dining for We are four,
and the guests, according to an %epicure,
never be less thar the Graces nor
greater than the Muses."
And a very merry little dinner it was.
All four We're clever takers, and vande-
loup and Cation being pitted against one
another, excelled themselves; witty re-
marks, satirical sayings, and ,well-told
stories were constantly coming from their
lips.
CHAPTER XIV.
The Meddlechips were giving a ball,
lIarnfora III, ~, o,.;o,, - uNonro1~ x,.u