The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1907-01-26
CHAPTER XIV.

ed, did not pass very pleasant night
after the encounter with Villiers. Her
head was very painful with the blow she
had given her, and added to this she was
certain she had killed him.
Though she hated the man who had
ruined her life, and who had tried to
rob her, still she did not care about be.
coming his murderess, and the thought
was madness to Ter. Not that she was
afraid of punishment, for she had acted
only in self-defense, and Villiers, not she,
was the agsresor.
Meanwhile she waited to hear if nc
body had been found, for i'll news travels
fact; and as everyone knew Villiers was
her husband, she was satisfied that when
the corpse was found she would be the
first to be told about it. But the day
wore on, and no news came, so she asked
Archie to go into Ballarat and see 4 the
discovery had been made.
Deed, men," said Archie, In a con
selling tone, I'm thinkin' there's no word
at all. Maybe We only stopped his pranks
for wee bit, and he's all right"
Il gave him such a terrible blow" she
said mournfully, "and he fell like stone
over the embankment.'
lie did not leave go the nugget, any
how, We know" said Archie, dryly; 80
he couldn't have been very far gone, but
I'll go to the town and see what l can
! hear"
There was no need for this, however,
for just as Mcintosh got to the door,
Vandeloup, cool and complaccnt, saunter-
ed in, but stopped short at the sight Of
Mrs. Villiers sitting in the arm chair look
ing so ILL.,.
My dear Madame" he cried in dismay,
going over to her; what is the matter
with you?"
Matter enough" growled Mcintosh,
with his hand on the door handle; that
husband o hers has robbed her o the
nugget"
YES, and / killed him. said Madame
between her clenched teeth.
THE mischief you did," said Vandeloup,
in surprise, taking seat, then ne was
the liveliest dead man l ever saw"
what do you mean?" asked Madame,
leaning forward, with both hands grip
ping the arms of her chair; isis he
| aliveW
"Of course he is" began Vandeloup !;
It" but here he was stopped by a
cry from Selma. for her mistress had
fallen back in dead faint.
Hastily waving the men to go away,
she applied remedies and Madame soon
revived Mrs. Villiers felt intense dis
gust toward her husband as she sat with
tightly clenched hands and dry eyes listen
ing to Vandeloup's recital.
well" said Mr. Mcintosh ct length,
rubbing his scanty hair, this child of Be
liaI is fourishing like green bay tree
by many waters; but we may cut 1t down
| an lay an axe at the root thereof"
"And how do you propose to chop him
DOWN. asked yandeloup llippantly.
Put him in Jail for running away wi
the nugget" retorted Mr.. Mcintosh, vim
dictivey.
"A very sensible suggestion" said Gas
ton, anprovingly.
NOW that he has obtained what he
wanted, perhaps he'll leave ne alone l
will do nothing" said Madame Midas.
do nothing!" echoed Archie, in great
wrath. Twill We let that friend o Beel-
zebub run away with a three hun'red
ounces of gold an do nothing? Keep
the nugget! Never!''
This was the first time that Archie
hats ever dared to cross Mrs. Villiers'
| wishes, and she stared in amazement at
the unwonted spectacle. This time, how
ever, Mcintosh found an unexpected ally
in Vandeloup, who urged that Villiers
should be prosecuted.
HE is not only guilty Of robbery, Mao
anne" said the young Frenchman, but
also of an attempt to murder you, and
while he is allowed to go free your life
is not safe"
Selma also contributed her mite of
wisdom in the form OF proyerb
"A stitch in time SAVES nine,' intimat.
ing thereby that Mr.. villiers should be
locked up and never let out again, in CASE
he tried the same game on with the next
big nugget found.
Meanwhile there was another individual
in Ballarat who was much interested in
yilliers, and this kint-hearted gentleman
was none other t.lan Slivers. Villiers
was accustomed to cpme and sit in his
Office every morning AID talk to him about
things in general and the Pactolus claim
1 in particular. On CHS morning, how.
ever, he did not arrive, and Slivers was
much annoyed thereat. He determined
to give Yilliers a piece of his mind when
he did see him. He went about his bust
ness at "IAe Corner" bought some shares
sold others, and swirdled as many people
as he was able, then came back to his
Office and waited in all the afternoon FOL
his friend, who, however did not come.
Ito be continued.)