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

BY FsrSts.s Hums

along the wet streets to Craig's Hotel,
where he intended to stay for the night,
"and can now shape my own fortune.
Pierre is gone, Bebe will soon follow, and
now must look after myself"
Kitty left q 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 light heart and cool head. CASTOR
had really managed to get Kitty away
in a very clever manner, inasmnch as he
never appeared publicly to be concerned
in it, but directed the whole business Sc
cretly. He had given Kitty sufficient
money to keep her away for some months
in Melbourne, as he was in doubt when he
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 day Mcintosh
went into Ballarat on business, and on
lCtulhlhS llOui Sltyp WutlC uC
heard all about 1t, he saw Vandeloup come
out of the Office, and drew up in the trap
beside the young man.
'Aha, Monsieur" said vandeloup, gaily,
shooting a keen glance at Archie; you
have had a pleasant day."
Maybe yes, maybe no." returned Nc
Intosh, cautiously, fumbling in the bag |;
there's nothing much in the town, but
I've gotten a letter or so from France"
"For mew cried Vandeloup eagerly,
holding out his hands.
AN for who else would it be?' grum-
bled Archie, giving the letter to him-a
thin, foreign looking envelope with the
Partisan postmark on 1T; "did We think
it was for that blackavised friend O.
yours?"
Hardly" returned Vandeloup, glanc-
ing at the letter with satisfaction, and
putting it in his pocket. pierre couldn't
write himself, and l doubt very much if
he had any friends who could-not that
l knew his friends" he said, hastily catch
ing sight of McIntosh's severe face bent
inquiringly on him.
Madame Midas was very much grieved
at the news of Kitty's escapade, particu-
larly as she could not see what motive
she had for running away, and, moreover
trembled to think of the temptations the
innocent girl would be exposed to in the
metropolis. After tea, she spoke to Van
deloup on the subject. The young French
man was seated at the piano in the dark
ness, striking few random chords, while
Madame was by the fire in the armchair.
Ia, l. "a,
glow of the fire shining through the room.
Mrs. Viliers felt uneasy; was it likely
that Vandeloup could have any connection
with Kitty's disappearance? Impossible !!
he had given her his word Of honor. and
yet-it was very strange. Mrs. Villiers
was not, by any means, a tinid woman,
so she determined to ask CASTOR right out,
and get decided answer from him, so as
to set her mind at rest.
an. Vandeloup," she said in her clear
voice, "will you kindly come here for a
moment?"
Certainly, Madame" said CASTOR, ris-
ing with alacrity from the piano, and
coming to the freside; sis there anything
I can do?"
"You have heard of Miss Marchurst's
disappearance?" she asked, looking up at
him.
"Yes, Madame" he answered, in his
calm, even tones.
'Do you remember the day introduced
her to you and you gave me your word
of honor you would not try to turn her
head?" pursued Madame, looking at him /;
''have you kept your word?"
"Madame" said VandoIo,,n vrovelv "I
give you my word of honor that / have
always treated Mile. Kitty as child and
your friend. I did not know that she
had gone until was told, and whatever
happens to her I can safely say that it
was not CASTOR vandeloup's fault"
An admirable actor, this man, not a
feature of his face moved, not a single
deviation from the calmness of his speech
not quickening of the pulse, nor the
rush Of betraying blood to his fair face
no! Madame withdrew her eyes quite
satisfied. NJ. Vandeloup was the soul of
honor.
m. vandeloup," said Madame sudden
ly, after they had been chatting for few
moments, zone thing you must do for me
in Melbourne"
II will do anything you WISH" said
Vandeloup, gravely.
''TAen," said Madame, earnestly, rising
and looking him in the face, "you must
find Kitty and send her back to me-"
Madame" said vandeloup, solemnly,
"it will be the purpose of my Fife to re-
store her to your arms"