The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1907-03-14
CHAPTER uI-(ContInued) J

DTOp IL, Sdlu ollVeTS SeNeTcly, III Ills
rasping little voice. Billy pretended not
to understand, and after cycling Slivers
for q moment or two, resumed his jour
ney. Slivers stretched out his hand for
the ruler, whereupon Billy becoming alive
to his danger, dropped the nugget and
few of the table with discordant shrek.
Slivers leaned back in his chair drum
ming in an absent sort of way with his
lean fingers on the table. His cork arm
hung down Imply, and his one eye was
fxed on letter lying in front OF him.
This was a communication from the man
ager of the Pactolus mine requesting Sliv-
ers to get him more hands, and Slivers
thoughts had wandered to Madame Midas.
She's a clever woman" observed Sliv-
ers In a musing sort of tone "and she s
got a good thing in that claim If she only
strikes the lead. What a fool I was not
to have collared that ground before she
did; but Mcintosh never would tell me
where the place was. Never mind, III
be even with him yet"
His expression of face was not pleas
ant as he said this, and he grasped the
letter In front Of him in a violent way,
as II he were wishing his long fingers
we're round the writer's throat. Tapping
with his wooden leg on the floor, he was
soon about to recommencs his musings,
when he heard a step in the passage, and
the door Of his Office being pushed vio-
lently open, a man entered without fur
ther ceremony, and flung himself down in
a chair near the window.
"Well, Mr.. Randolph Viliers," croaked
Slivers, after contemplating his visitor
for a few moments, "how's businessT
Bad" retorted Mr.. Villiers. I've lost
twenty pounds on those Moscow shares" "
More fool you," replied Slivers. Il
could have told you the mine was no
good; but you will go on your own bad
Judgment"
Its Like getting blood out of a stone
to get tips from you," growled Villiers,
with a sulky air. Come now, old boy"
in a cajoling manner, tell US something
good-I'm nearly stone broke, and l must
live"
81 don't see the necessity" Indignantly
returned Slivers, "but if you do want to
get into a good thing
"Yes! yes" said the other, eagerly
bending forward.
Get an interest in the Pactolus," and
the agreeable old gentleman leaned back
and laughed loudly at his visitors dis
comfture.
You know as we'll az I do that my
wife won't look at me-
why don't you ruin your wife, you
fool?" said Slivers, turning vindictively
on Villiers. You ain't going to let her
have all the money while you are starv-
ing, are you"
How the deuce am I to do that p
asked Villiers.
Get the whip hand Of her. snarled
Slivers viciously; find out II she's In
love, and threaten to divorce her If she
doesn't go halves"
There's nc chance OF her having any
lovers" retorted villiers; shes piece
OF ice."
"Ice melts," replied Slivers quickly.
"Wait till Mr.. Right comes along, and
then she'll want to get married again.
"Well?"
You'll have the game in your own
hands," hissed the wicked old man, rub
bing his hands. "Oh !" he cried, spin
ming round on his wooden leg, Its a
lovely idea. Wait till we meet Mr.. Right,
just wait" and he dropped into his chair
quite overcome by the state of excitement
he had worked himself into.
IF you've quite done with those gym
nastics, my friend" said soft voice near
the door, perhaps l may enter
Both the inmates Of the office looked
up at this, and saw that two men were
standing at the half-open door-one an
extremely handsome young man Of about
thirty, dressed in a neat suit of blue serge,
and wearing a large white wide-awake
hat, with O birdseye handkerchief twisted
round it. His companion was short and
heavily built, dressed somewhat the same,
but with his black hat pulled down over
his eyes.
Come in," growled Slivers, angrily.
what do you want?"
Work. said the young man, advanc-
Ing to the table. I'VE are new arrivals
in the country, and were told to come to
you to get work"
II don't keep a factory" snarled Sliv-
ers.
II don't think would come to you if
you did" retorted the stranger cOolly.
You would not be a pleasant master
either to look at or to speak to-"
Villiers laughed at this, and Slivers
stared dunfounded at being spoken to in
such a manner.
Slivers was just going to snap out a
dismissal, when he caught sight Of Nc
Intosh's letter on the table. Here was a
young man Handsome enough to make any
woman fall In love with him, and who,
moreover, had a clever tongue in his head.
All Slivers' aninosity revived against
Madame Midas as he thought Of the
DEVILS Lead, and he determined to use
rhis young man as a tool. With these
thoughts in his mind, ne drew sheet Of
paper toward him, and dipped the rusty
pen In the thick ink.
"Names~ ne asked.
Mine" said the stranger, bowinS. 'is