The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1907-05-02
CHAPTER XVIII.

CHAPTER ANlIl.
M. vandeloup slept the sleep of the
oust, and next morning, after making his
Inquiries after the health Of Madame
Midas, he went into Ballarat in search
q Pierre. On arriving at the Waffle
Tree Hotel he was received by Miss
Gwexby in dignified silence, for that as
eute damsel was beginning to regard the
fascinating Frenchman as young man
who talked great deal and meant moth
Ang.
He was audacious enough to win her
Aeart and then break it, so Miss Twexby
thought the wisest thing would be to keep
lin at distance. SO Vandeloup's bright
smiles and merry jokes failed to call forth
any response from fair Martha, who sat
silently in the bar, looking like grabbed
sphinx.
"Is my friend Pierre in?" asked Van
Aeloup, leaning across the counter, and
hooking lovingly at Miss Twexby.
The lady intimated coldly that he was
On, and had been for the last two weeks ;
also that she was sick of him, and she'd
khank NJ. Vandeloup to clear him out
nll of which amused vandeloup nightly,
Enough he still continued to smile coolly
On the sour-faced damsel before him.
CASTOR, however, failed to persuade
Pierre to accompany him round to buy an
outfit. For the dumb man lay ON his
bed, and obstinately refused to move out
II the room. He, however, acquiesced sui
lenly when his friend told him he was
going to Melbourne, so Vandeloup left
fhe room, having first secured Pierre's
knife, and locked the door after him. and
shen sailed forth to buy his shipwrecked
friend box and some clothes.
In the afternoon Vandeloup went to
3he lake and espied a little figure in
white, and seeing that it was Kitty, he
strolled up TO her in leisurely manner.
She was looking at the ground when he
came up, and was prodding holes in the
spongy turf with her umbrella, but glanc-
Cd up carelessly as he came near. Then
ihe sprang up with a cry of JOY, and
throwing her arms around his neck, she
Kissed him twice.
.I haven't seen you for ages" said
Kitty, putting her arm in his as they sat
down. II just came up here for week,
and did not think I'd see you."
.The meeting was quite accidental,
krow," replied CASTOR, leaning back laz-
ny; but none the less pleasant on that
account. Wouldn't you like to leave
Papa and lead jollier life?" asked Van
deloup, artfully, "in Melbourne for in
stance"
"I-I don't know" she faltered, look.
ing down.
"But do, Bebe," whispered CASTOR
n, Ha,. tut ssx-n,,
would like to come with me-"
why? Are you going?" cried Kitty
In dsmay.
al think / spoke about this before" he
said. II never say anything / do not
mean," answered randeloup. with the
ready lie on his lips in a moment "and
! have got letters from France with
money, SO I am going to leave the Pac-
tolus."
"And mc?" said Kitty, tearfully.
THAT depends upon yourself, Bebe,
he said rapidly, pressing her burning cheek
against his own 'your father would new
or consent to my marriage and 1 can't
take You away from Ballarat without sus
picions, So"
"Yesw said Kitty, eagerly, looking al
Aim.
"You must run away" he whispered
with caressing smile.
"AloneY
"For time, yes" he answered; "listen
next week you must meet me here, and
I will give you money to keep you in
Melbourne for some time then you must
leave Ballarat at once and wait for me
at the Buttercup Hotel in Gertrude
street, Carlton; you understand"
"Yes," faltered Kitty, nervously; "I-
! unerstand."
sously. looking keenly at her, and press
ing the little hand he held in his own.
"Yes," she whispered. clinging to him
with dry lips and beating heart; II
viii comew Then her overstrained ma
ture gave way, and with burst Of tears
ahe threw herself on his breast.
my dear Bebe," said vandeloup, kiss
1ng her white cheek. "you must 90 home
now, and get little sleep; 1t will do you
good."
"But your" asked Kitty, in a low
voice, as they walked slowly along.
"Oh, l." said NJ. yandeloup, airily: ~
nm going to the Waffle Tree Hotel to
zee my friend Pierre off to Melbourne"
"You are now on your own response
bility, my friend" said vandeloup to
Pierre, az he stood at the window of the
railway carriage; "for we must part
though long together have we been. Per.
haps will see you In Melbourne; il ]
do you will find have not forgotten the
past" and, with significant look at the
dumb man, vandeloup lounged slowly
away.
The whistle blew shrilly, the last good.
nys were spoken, the guard shouted "All
aboard for Melbourne" and shut all the
doors, then, with another shriek and puff
Of white steam, the train, like a long
lithe serpent, glided into the rain and
darkness with Its human freight.
"At last have rid myself OF this dead
Wsisht" said vandeloup, ~ - Srove