The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1907-05-30
CHAPTER XXv.-(Continued.)

deloup made. She stopped abruptly, and
Insisted on Vandeloup taking her to the
conservatory.
"what for?" he asked. as they thread
Cd their way through the crowded room.
"Is it important?"
"very," she replied, looking straight ia
him lit is essential to our comedy"
MY faithv r. he murmured, as they en-
ing monotonous."
The fernery was huge glass building
on one side of the ball room, filled with
Australian and New Zealand ferns, and
having large fountain In the center
sending up a sparkling jet of water, which
fell into the shallow stone basin filled
with water lilies and their pure white
flowers.
"Well," said vandeloup amiably. as he
sank into a seat beside Kitty, what is
this great matter you wish to speak
about?'
"Madame Midas" retorted Kitty, look
ing straight at him.
'Such delightful subject" murmured
CASTOR, closing his eyes, as he guessed
what was coming; 'go on, I'm all atten-
tion."
"You are going to find some way to d.
vorce me and marry her" said Miss Mar
churst, bending towards him and closing
her fan with q snap.
"You don't say so? Who told you this
news--for news it Is to me, assure you."
"TAen it's not true?'' added Kitty, Gag
erly. with kind of gasp.
"I'm sure l don't k2ow," he replied. Il
haven't asked her yet. Don't talk so
loud, my dear; it doesn't do to let every
one know your private business"
"It's private now," she said, in voice
Of passion, shut 1t will soon be public
enough"
Indeed which paper do you advertise
in?"
Listen to me, Gaston." she said. tax
ing no notice of his sneer; you will
never marry Madame Midas: sooner than
that, will reveal all and kill myself"
'You forget" he said. gently; lit is
comedy. not tragedy, we play"
Having given Kitty over to the tender
care of Mrs. Rolleston. yandeloup went
back into the conservatory, and, sitting
down in his old place, commenced to re-
view the position.
If he could only stop Kitty's mouth in
some way-persuasion was thrown away
on her. If he could with safety get rid
of her he would. All! that was an idea.
He had some poison-if he could only
manage to give IL to her, and thus remove
her from his path. 1t was pity to kill
her, so young and pretty, and yet his
safety demanded il; for If she told Mad
anne Midas all, it might lead to further
inquiries, and NJ. vandeloup well knew
his past life would not bear looking into.
Well, IL he had to Get rid of her, the
sooner he did so the better, for even on
the next day she might tell all-he would
have to give her the poison that night
but how2 that was the difficulty. He
could not do it at this ball, as 1t would
be too apparent if she died-no-it would
have TO be administered secretly when she
went home. Bat then she would so TO
Madame Midas room to see how she was,
and then would retire to her own room.
he knew where that was-just of Mrs.
Villiers room: there were French win
dows IN both rooms-two in Mrs. Vii
iiers' and one in kitty's. That was the
plan---they would he left open, as the
night was hot. Suppose he went down TO
ST. Kilda, and got into the garden-he
knew every inch of the way-then he
could slip into the open window. and il
ir was not open lie could use diamond
ring TO cut the glass. He had diamond
ring he never wore. so If Kitty was dis
covered to be poisoned, and the glass cut,
they would never suspect him, as he did
not wear rings at all, and the evidence
of A cut window would show n diamond
must have been used. We'll, suppose he
got inside, Kitty would be asleep, and he
could put the poison into the water ca
raae. or he could put it in a glass of
water and leave it standing. De might
get Barty to assist him.
When NJ. yandsloup had come TO this
conclusion he arose, feeling little nerv-
ous over the crime he was about TO COM
nit. He thought he would give Kitty one
last chance. so when she was nearly cloak
ed, waiting with Mrs. Riller for the ear
riage, he drew her aside.
''You did not mean what you said to-
night" he whispered, looking searchingly
at her.
"Ycs, l did," she replied de6antly; "if
you push me 10 eAueuA'Aes sou Hi"S' 'iAs
the consequences"
"It will he the worse for you," he said
threateningly, as the carriage drove up.
I'm not afraid Of you," she retorted
Struggling her shoulders. trick she had
learned from him; "you have ruined Wy
life. but I'm not going to let you ruin
Meaame's. I'd sooner see her dead"
"Hemember have warned you," he
said Eravcly. handing her to the carriage
"Good night"
Good night - she answered mocsing'
", ito o.morrow," In low voice, "yeu will
be nstonished."