The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1907-04-04
49,
Madame Midas
BY Fergus Hume
-a33SGGG-
BY Fergus Hume

about to answer when Madame Midas,
calm, cool and handsome, entered the
room, followed by Vandeloup, carrying a
wooden box containing the nugget. 1t
was by no means light, and Vandeloup
was quite thankful when he placed it on
the table.
Wonderful !" reiterated the old man,
passing his thin hand lightly over the
surface; "verily the Lord hath hidden
great treasure IN the entrails of the earth,
and the Pactolus would seem to be n land
of Ophir when 1t yields such "oalth as
this
The nugget was duly admired by every
one, and then Brown and Jane, who form
ed the household of Marchurst, were call
ed in to look at it. They both expressed
such astonishment and wonder that Mar
churst felt himself compelled to admon-
ish them against prizing the treasures of
earth above those Of heaven. Vandeloup,
afraid that they were in for a sermon,
beckoned quietly to Kitty, and they both
stealthily left the room, while Marchurst,
with Brown, Jane and Madame for an
audience. and the nugget foS text, de-
livered short discourse.
Kitty put on a great straw hat. Her
piquant face blushed and grew pink be-
meath the fond gaze of her lover as they
left the house together and strolled up
the Black Hin.
Seated on the highest point of the hill,
under the shadow Of a great rock, the two
lovers had a wonderful view of Ballarat.
Here and there they could see the galvan-
lied iron roofs OF the houses cleaning
like silver in the sunlight from amid the
thick foliage of the trees with which the
city was studded.
All this wonderful panorama, however,
was so familiar to Kitty and her lover
that they did not trouble themselves to
look much at it, but the girl sat down
under the big rock, and Vandeloup flung
himself lazily at her feet.
"Bebe," said Vandeloup, who had given
her this pet name, "how long is this
sort of life going to last?"
Kitty looked down at him with a vague
feeling of terror at her heart. She had
never known any life but the simple one
she was now leading, and could not I'm
agine it coming to an end.
I'm getting tired of it," said Vande-
loup, lying back on the grass, and, putting
his hands under his head, stared idly at
the blue sky. unfortunately, human life
Is so short nowadays that we cannot af-
ford to waste a moment of it. am not
suited for lotus -ea ting existence, and
think l shall 60 to Melbourne"
And leave me?" cried Kitty, in dis
may, never having contemplated such a
thing as likely to happen.
THAT depends on yourself, Bebe,' said
her lover, quickly rolling over and looking
steadily at her, with his chin resting on
his hands; will you come with me? We
will get married in Melbourne as soon as
we arrive"
why can't papa marry us?" pouted
Kitty, in an aggrieved tone.
Because your father would never CON
sent" he whispered, putting his arm
round her waist; I'VE must run away
quietly, and when we are married can ask
his pardon and" with a sardonic sneer,
his blessing"
when she heard this. A real elopemen:
with handsome lover-just like the hero
ines in the story hooks. 1t was delight
fully romantic, and yet there seemed to be
something wrong about it. She was like
timid bather longing to plunge into the
water, yet hesitating through a vague
fear. With a quick catching Of the
breath she turned to Vandeloup, and saw
him with his scintillating eyes fastened on
her face.
when do you go?" asked Kitty, who
was now trembling violently.
~ NJ. Vandeloup was puzzled what
to say, as ne had no very decided plan
Of action. He had not sufficient money
saved to justify him in leaving the Pac-
tolus-still there were always possibili
ties, and Fortune was fond of playing
wild pranks At the same time there was
nothing tangible in view likely to make
him rich so, as these thoughts rapidly
passed through his mind, he resolved to
temporize.
II can't tell you, Bebe," he said, in
a caressing tone, smoothing her curly hair
II want you to think over what I have
said, and when l do go, perhaps IN a
month or 50, you will be ready to come
with me. No." he said, as Kitty was
about to answer. II don't want you 10
reply now, take time to consider, little
one," and with smile on his lips ne bent
over and kissed her tenderly.
They sat silently together for some
time, each intent on their own thoughts,
and then Vandeloup suddenly looked up.
Twill Madame stay to dinner with you,
Bebe" he asked.
"She always does; you will come, too"
Vandeloup shook his head.
~ am going down to Ballarat to the
Waffle Tree Hotel to see my friend
Pierre" he said, in a preoccupied man
ner, "and will have something TO eat there
Then I will come up again about eight
o'clock, in time to see Madame off,