Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1907-02-08
CHAPTER IX.-(Co.

followed out like a honcyconlD, and dot
ted over with white pebbles like currants
in a plum pudding.
II think I'll send it to Melbourne for
exhibition said Mrs. Villiers, touching
the nugget very lightly with her fingers.
"'Deed, mum, and tits worth it," re-
piled Mcintosh. whose severe face was
relaxed in a grimly pleasant name
whats the time?" asked Madame,
rather irr~elevantly.
Mr.. Mcintosh drew out the large silver
watch, which was part and parcel of
himself. and answered gravely that it was
two o'clock.
Then I'll tell you what said Mrs.
Villiers, rising, "Ill take it in with me to
ballarat and show it to Mr.. Marchurst."
Mcintosh drew down the corners of his
mouth, for, as a rigid Presbyterian, he
by no means approved of Marchurst's
heretical opinions, but of course said moth
ing as Madame wished it.
"Can I come with you, Madame?" said
Vandeloup eagerly, for he never lost an
opportunity of seeing Kitty II he could
help it.
Certainly" replied Madame gracious
ly I'VE will start at once"
Vandeloup was going away to get ready.
when Mcintosh stopped him.
THAT friend O. yours is going away t.
the town the day he said, touching Van
deloup lightly on the shoulder.
what forY' asked the Frenchman care
lessly.
"'Tis to see the play actors, I'm think
I'M" returned Archie dryly. "He wants
to stop all night i the town, so I've let
him go, an have told him to put up at the
Waffle Tree Hotel, the landlord o which
is a friend o. mine.'
Very kind of you, I'm sure" said Van
deloup, with a pleasant SMILE.
The great nugget was carefully packed
In a stout wooden box BY Archie, ard
placed in the trap by him with such eau
ton that Madame. who was already seat
ed in it, asked him lf he was afraid she
would be robbed.
Its always best to be on the right
side, men," said Archie, handing her the
reins; 1--WE never know what may hap
pen"
why, no one knows I am taking this
to Ballarat today" said Madame, draw
ing on her gloves.
Don't they?" thought NJ. vandeloup,
as he took his seat beside her She
doesn't know that I've told Pierre"
And without a single thought for the
woman whose confidence he was betray-
ing, and of whose bread and salt he had
p%artaken, Vandeloup shook the reins. and
the horse started down the road in the
direction Of Ballarat, carrying Madame
Midas and her nugget.
You carry Caesar and his fortunes, M.
vandeloup," she said, with a smile.
II do better" he answered gaily II
carry Madame Midas and her luck"
CHAPTER X.
Mr.. Mark Marchurst was a very pecu-
iiar man. Brought up In the Presbyterian
religion, he had early displayed his pecu-
liarity by differing from the elders of the
church he belonged to regarding their doc
trine Of eternal punishment. They, hold
ing fast to the teachings of Knox and
Calvin, looked Upon him in horror for
daring to have an opinion of his own,
INT as he. refused to repent and have
blind belief in the teachings of those grim
divines, he was turned out Of the bosom
of the church.
On this bright afternoon, when every
thing was bathed in sunshine, Mr.. Mar
churst, instead Of being outside and en-
joying the beauties of nature, was mewed
up in his dismal little study, with cur
tains closely drawn to exclude the light, a
cup of strong tea, and the Bible open at
"The Lamentations Of Jeremiah"
He was a tall thin man. of a bleached
appearance. from staying so much in the
dark, and SO loosely put together that
when he bowed he did not as much bend
as tumble down from a height. In fact,
he looked SO carelessly fixed up that when
he sat down he made the onlooker feel
quite nervous lest he should subside into
a ruin, and scatter his legs, arms and
head promiscnously all over the place.
He was reused from his dismal musings
by abe quick opening of the door of his
study. when Kitty, joyous and gay In
her white dress, burst like a sunbeam into
the room.
II wish. Katherine" said her father.
In a severe voice, II wish you would not
enter SO noisily and disturb my medita-
9ions."
you'll have to put your meditations
aside for a bit" said Kitty, disrespect-
fully, crossing to the window and pulling
aside the curtains, "for Madame Midas
and NJ. vandeloup have com to see YOU"
A food OF golden light streamed into
the dusky room, and Marchurst put his
hand to his eyes for a moment, as they
were daxxled by the sudden glare.
They've got something to show you,
papa said Kitty, going back to the
door "a big nugget-ucn I sIze-as
large a. your head"
Her father put his hand mechanically
to his head to judge Of the size, md was
about to answer when Madame Midas,
calm, cool and handsome, entered the
room, followed by vandeloup, carrying a
wooden box containing the nugget. It
By no means light, and vandeloup
quite thankful when he placed it on
the table.
s"wonderful! I" reiterated the old man,
passing his thin hand lightly over the
: verify the Lord hath hidden
great treasure IN the entrails of the earth,
md the Pactolus would seem to be a land
Of Ophir when it yields such wealth as
The nugget was duly admired by every
one, and then Brown and Jane. who form
I'd the household of Marchurst, were call
ed in to ook at it. They both expressed
such establishment and wonder that Mar
churst felt himself compelled to admon-
ish them against pricing the treasures of
above those Of heaven. vandeloup,
afraid that they were in for a sermon,
beckoned quietly to Kitty, and they both
steaithily left the ROOM. white Marchurst,
with Brown, Jane and Madame for an
audience, and the nugget for a text, del
livered q short discourse.
Kitty put on a great straw hat. Her
plqnant face blushed and grew pink be-
meath the fond gaze Of her loeer as they
left the house together and strolled up
lie Black Hill.