The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1907-05-23
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
The Meddlechips were giving bali,
therefore the mansion at Toorak was
brilliantly Illuminated and crowded with
fashionable people. The ball room was at
the side of the house, and from it French
windows opened on to a wide veranda,
which was inclosed with drapery and
hung with many-colored Chinese lanterns.
Ber,nd this the smooth green lawns
stretched away TO a thick fringe of trees,
which grew beside the fence and screened
the Meddlechip residence from the curl
Gus gaze of vulgar eyes.
Kitty came under the guardianship OF
Mrs. Riller, a young matron with dark
hair, an imperious manner, and young
man always at her heels. Mrs. villiers
intended to have come, but at the last mo-
ment was seized with one of her nervous
fits, so decided to stop at home with
Selma for company. Kitty, therefore,
accompanied Mrs. Killer to the ball. but
the guardianship of that lady was more
nominal than anything else, as she went
of with Mr.. Bellthorp after introducing
Kitty to Mrs. Meddlechip. and danced
with him the whole evening. Kitty, how
ever, did not in the least mind being left
to her own devices, for being an extremely
pretty girl she soon had plenty of young
men round her anxious to be introduced.
She filled her program rapidly and kept
two valses for Vandeloup, as she knew
he was going to be present, but he as yet
had not made his appearance.
He arrived about quarter past ten
o'clock, and was strolling leisurely up
tha r-ba h.
ing amid a number of idlers at the gate.
The dumb man stepped forward, and
Vandeloup paused with a smile on his
handsome lips, though he was angry
enough at the meeting.
Money again, l suppose?" he said to
Pierre, in a low voice, in French; don't
trouble me now, but come to my rooms
tomorrow"
The dumb man nodded, and Vandeioup
walked leisurely up the path. Then
Pierre followed him right up to the steps
which led to the house, saw him enter
the brilliantly lighted hall, and then AID
himself in the shrubs which grew on the
edge Of the lawn. There. in close hiding.
he could hear the sound of music end
voices, and could see the door of the
fernery wide open, and caug:t giimpses
of dainty dresses within.
Vandeloup, quite ignorant that his
friend was watching the house. put on his
gloves leisurely, and walked in search of
his hostess. Mrs. Meddlechip glanced ap-
provingly at Vandeloup as he came up,
for he was extremely good looking.
Released from Mrs. Meddlechip, CASTOR
went in search of Kitty, and found her
with Felix Rolleston, who was amusing
her with his gay chatter.
II don't want to dance" Kitty said
curtly, pointing to the seat beside her as
an invitation for him to sit down.
"Pardon me,' observed Vandeloup.
blandly, II do; we can talk afterwards
If you like"
Their eyes met, and then Kitty arose
and took his arm, with charming pout.
1t was no good fighting against the quiet,
masterful manner of this man, so she
allowed him to put his arm round her
waist and swing her slowly into the cen.
ter of the room. Zone Summers Night in
Munich' was 4 fayorite valse, ard every
one who could dance, and good many
who could not, were up on the floor. Ev-
cry now and then, through the steady
beat of the music, came the light laugh of
woman or the deeper tones of mans
voice: and the glare of the lights, the
flashing jewels, the soft frou-freu of
dresses, and the subtle perfume of Sow.
ers gave an indescribable flavor to the
whole scene.
(To be continued)
1