Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1907-03-08
CHAPTER XVIII.

4 JuSL, HUI neAL mOIhIHB, hltSi hhh'bS u.s.
inquiries after the health Of Madame
OF Pierre. On arriving at the Waffle
Tree Hotel he was received by Mis-.
Twexby in dignified silence, for that as
tute damsel was beginning to regard the
fascinating Frcnchman as a young mar
who talked a great deal and meant moth
Ing.
He was audacious enough to win hel
heart and then break it, so Miss Twexby
thought the wisest thing would be to keel
him at a 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 a grabbed
sphinx.
rs my friend Pierre INF" asked Van.
deloup, leaning across the counter, and
looking lovingly at Miss Twcxby.
The lady intimated coldly that he was
in, and had been for the last two weeks
also that she was sick of him, n she'd
thank NJ. Vandcloup to clear him out
all Of which amused Vandeloup nightly,
though 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
of the room. He, however, acquiesced sui
lenly when his friend told him he was
going to Melbourne, so Vandeloup left
the room, having first secured Pierre's
knife, and locked the door after him. and
then sailed forth to buy his shipwrecked
friend a box and some clothes.
In the afternoon Vandeloup went to
the lake and espied a little figure in
white, and seeing that it was Kitty, he
strolled up to her in a 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-
ed up carelessly as he came near. Then
she sprang up with a cry OF JOY, and
throwing her arms around his neck, she
kissed him twice.
II haven't seen you for ages" said
Kitty, putting her arm in his as they sat
down. II just came up here for a week,
and did not think I'd see YOU"
"The meeting was quite accidental, ]
know replied CASTOR. leaning back laz-
lily: .but nane the less pleasant on that
account. Wouldn't you like to leave
Papa and lead a jollier life?" asked Van
deloup, artfully, Sin Melbourne for in
stance"
I'll don't know" abe faltered, look
ing down.
.But l do, Bebe.' whispered CASTOR,
putting his arms round her waist you
would like to come with me-
why? Are you goingY' cried Kitty,
In dismay.
II think I spoke about this before" he
said. II never say anything ! do not
mean" answered Vandeloup, with the
ready lie on his lips in a moment; "and
I have got letters from France with
money. so I am going to leave the Pac-
tolus.'
And 2" said Kitty, tearfully.
''That depends upon yourself, Bebe,"
he said rapidly, pressing her burning cheek
against his own your father would new
er consent to my marriage ard / can't
take you away from Ballarat without sus-
picions, So
"Yes?" said Kitty, eagerly. looking at
7 .You u run away heyvhispered,
with a caressing smile.
"Aloney'
For a 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 Ballaratga at once and wait for me
at the Buttercup Hotel in Gertrude
street, Carlton; you understand"
YES" faltered Kitty, nervously: Il
/ unerstand."
and you will Gomez he asked anx-
iously, looking keenly at her, and press
ing the little hand he held in his own.
Eyes," she whispered, clinging to him
with dry lips and a beating heart; II
will comet Then her overstrained a
ture gave way, and with a burst of tears
she threw herself on his breast.
MY dear Bebe," said V%andeioup, kiss
ing her white cheek, "you must go home
NOW. and get a little sleep; it will do you
good"
..Isut you?' asked Kitty, in a low
voice, as they walked slowly along.
"Oh, l." said NJ. vandeloup, airily Il
am going to the Waffle Tree Hotel to
see my friend Pierre off to Melbourne"
"You are now on your own response
bil!ty, my friend" said vandeloup to
Pierre, 40 he stood at the window of the
railway carriage; "for we must part,
though long together have we been. Per
hpps l will see you in Melbourne; il I
a. you will find / have not forgotten the
pAst." and, with a significant look at the
dumb man, Vandeloup lounged slowly
sway.
The whistle blew shrilly, the last good
oys were spoken, the guard shouted IAN
aboard Tor Melbourne" and shut all the
doors. then, with another shrek and pun
Of white steam. the train, like q long,
hthe serpent, glided into the rain and
darkness with its human freight.
AT last I have rid myself Of this dead
weight" said vandeloup, as he drove
along the wet streets to Craig's Hotel,
where he intended to stay for the night.
land can now shape my own fortune.
Pierre II gone, Bebe viii soon follow, and
now I must look after myself
Kitty left 1 note saying she was going
down TO Melbourne to appear on the
stage. Meanwhile, the man who was the
primary cause of all this trouble was
working in the Office Of the Pactolus claim
with a light heart and cool head. CASTOR
had really managed to get Kitty away
In q very clever manner, Sinasmuch as he
never appeared publicly to be concerned
In 1t, but directed the whole business Sc
cretly. He had given Kitty sufficient
money to keep her away for some months
IN Melbourne, NJ he was In doubt when be
could leave the Pactolus without being
suspected Of being concerned In her dis.
appearance. He also told her what day
to leave, and all that day stayed at the
mine working at his accounts, and after
ward spent the evening very pleasantly
With Madame Midas. Next dag McIntost
vput lnto BallarA& on business, INF or
returniix from the city, where he had