The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1907-04-18
CHAPTER XIV.

Madame Midas, as may be easily guess
ed, did not pass a very pleasant night
after the encounter with Villers. 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 her. Not that she was
afraid of punishment, for she had acted
only in self-defense and Villiers, not she,
was the aggresor.
Meanwhile she waited to hear if .hhe
body had been found, for i'll news travels
fact; and as everyone knew Nilliers was
her husband, she was satisfied that when
the corpse was fouad 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 II tne
discovery had been made.
Deed, men, said Archie, In a con-
soling 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."
He did not leave go the nugget, any
how, ye know" said Archie, dryly: -,
he couldn't have been very far gone, but
I'll go to the town and see what | can
hear"
There was no need for this, however,
for just as Mcintosh got to the door,
Vandeloup, cool and complacent, saunter-
ed in, but stopped short at the sight Of
Mrs. Villers sitting in the arr, chair look
ing so i'll.
MY dear Madame" he cried in dismay,
going over 10 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 a seat, then he was
the livelest dead man I ever saw"
What do you mean?" asked Madame,
leaning forward with both hands grip
ping the arms of her chair; "is-:s he
alive?'
"Of course ne is began Vandeloup;
cry from Selma, for her mistress had
fallen back in a dead faint.
Hastily waving the men to 30 away.
she applied remedies and Madame soon
revived. Mrs. Villers 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-
lial is fourShing like a green bay tree
by many waters; but we may cut il down
an lay an axe at the root thereof"
"And how do you propose to chop him
DOWN." asked Vandeloup fippantly.
Put him in Jail 70. running away wi
the nugget" retorted Mr.. Mcintosh, vim
dctively.
"A very sensible suggestion" said Gas
ton, agprovingly.
Now that he has obtained what he
wanted, perhaps he'll leave me alone; I
will do nothing" said Madame Midas.
DO nothing!' echoed Archie, in great
wrath. will 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
had ever dared to cross Mrs. Villiers'
wishes and she stared in amazement at
he unwonted spectacle. This time, how
ever. McIatosh found an unexpected ally
in Vandeloup, who urged that Villiers
should be prosecuted.
'He is not only guilty Ct robbery, Mad
ame,' said the young Frenchman. .'but
also of an attempt to murder you, and
while he is allowed to 60 free your life
is not safe"
Selma also contributed her mite Of
wisdom in the form Of proverb:
"A stitch in time saves nine," intimat.
ing thereby that Mr. Viliers should bs
locked up and never let out again, in cas-
he tried the same game on with the next
big nugget found
Meanwhile there was another individual
in Ballarat who was much interested In
Villiers, and this kind-hearted gentleman
was none other tnan Slivers. yiliers
was accustomed to come and sit in his
Office every morning and talk to him about
things in general, and the Pactolus claim
in particular. On this morning. how.
ever. he did not arrive, and Sliyers was
much annoyed thereat. He determined
to give Villiers a piece of his mind when
he did see him. He went about his bust.
ness at 'rhe Corner" bought some shares
sold Others and swirdled as many people
as he was able, thsn came back to his
Office and waited In all the afternoon 70,
his friend, who, however did not come.
Ito be continued)