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

CHAPTER V.
Miss Sprotts was much in favor OF =
constant fire, because of the dampness Of
the house. and Madame Midas did not by
any means object, as she was a perfect
salamander for heat. Hence when the
outward door was closed, the faded red
curtains of the window drawn, and the
newly replenished fire blazed brightly in
the wide fireplace, the room was one q
sybarite would have contemplated with
delight
Madame Midas was seated now at the
small table in the center of the room,
porng over a bewildering array of figures,
and the soft glow of the lamp touched her
smooth hair and white dress with sub
dued light.
Archie sat by the fire. half asleep, and
there was a dead silence in the room, only
broken by the rapid scratching of Mad
ame's pen or the click Of Selina's needles.
A. this moment knock came to the
front door, which caused Selma to drop
her work with sudden start, and rise
to her feet.
Not you, Selma" said Madame, in q
quiet voice; 'let Archie go; it may be
some tramp"
Deed no, men, replied Archie, OBJ
stinately, as he arose from his seat;
"'tis very likely a man from the works
saying he wants to 60. There's more
talk nor sense aboot them, I'm thinkin-
the chattering parrots
Selma resumed her knitting in 4 most
phlegmatic manner, but Madame listened
intently. for she was always haunted BY
a secret dread of her husband breaking in
on her. She heard a murmur of voices,
and then Archie returned with two men,
who entered the room and stood before
Madame in the light of the lamp.
"'Tis two men from that wooden-leg-
ged Slivers," said Archie, respectfully.
"Ore o them has wee bit letter for ye"
turning to receive the same from tho
foremost man.
The man, however, did not take notice
Of Arches gesture, but walking forward
to Madame, laid the letter down before
her. As he id so, she caught sight OF
the deliCacy of his hands, and looked up
suddenly with a piercing gaze. He bore
the scrutiny coOly. and took a chair in
silence, his companion doing the same,
while Madame opened the letter and read
Slivcrs' bad writing with a dexterity only
ished her peruSal she looked up slowly.
"A broltcndown gentleman" she said
to herself. as she saw the easy bearing
and handsome face Of the young man;
then looking at his companion, she saw
by his lu!npish aspect and coarse hands
that he occupied much lower rank Of
life than his friend.
Monsieur Vandeloup-for it was he
caught her eye as she was scrutinizing
them, and his face broke into smile-a
most charming smile, as Madame observ-
ed mentally, though she allowed nothing
of her thoughts to appear on her face.
'You want work." she said slowly fold
ing up the letter; do you understand
anything about gold minng?"
unfortunately, no, Madame" said
Vandeloup cooIly "but We are willing to
learn"
Archie grunted in dissatisfied man
ner, for he was by no means in favor Of
teaching people their business, and, be-
sides, he thought Vandeloup too much Of
a gentleman to do good work.
"Iou look hardly strong enough for
such hard labor" said Mrs. Villiers,
doubtfully eying the slender figure of the
young man. Your companion, l think,
will do, but yOu--"
Il, Madame, am like the lilies of the
field that neither toll nor spin" replied
Vandeloup gayly; "but, unfortunately,
am now compelled by necessity to work,
and though | should prefer to earn my
bread in an easier manner, beggars can
not be ChoOsPrs."
You are French?" she asked quickly,
in that language.
"Yes, Madame" he replied in the same
tongue, both my friend and myself are
from Paris, but we have not been long
out here"
"IIumphw Madame leaned her head
on her hand and thought, while Vandeloup
looked at her keenly, and remembered
what Slivers had said.
'She is, indeed, handsome woman"
he observed. mentally.
Mrs. Villiers rather liked the looks Of
this young man there was a certain fas-
cination about him which few women
could resist. His companion, however,
she did not care about-he had a sullen
and lowering countenance, and looked
rather dangerous.
What is your name?' she asked tAo
young man.
"GastOn Eandeloup."
You are gentleman"
He bowed, but said nothing.
And you" asked Madame, shafpl4
turning to the other.
He looked up and touched his mouth
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