The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1907-09-19
BY EFFlE A. ROWLANDS

"Yes, / have seen her, and do know
her." she said, very slowly. ITO my un-
utterablc shame say it, Jack, for that
woman was none other than your wife"
"Nhati' Jack recoled as though he
had been struck, then rearing his head
proudly, "IIow dare you say any ruch
thing, Gladys? How dare you throw
shame and discredit on pure, sweet girl
who has never done you moments harm.
who has nothing but good, gentle thoughts
for you and yours? How dare youw
"Bccarse 1t is the truth Yes, the
TRUTH" repeated the countess, curtly.
"Haa You been here but 4 few moments
ago you would have seen her with your
own eyes! You would not have given me
tho lie in this way! | say again, Jack,
that IT, is your wife who has disgraced
herself and us this night, who has made
herself the gossip and the scandal Of the
place for months to come"
GLADYS. 1 will not listen to you"
Jack had torn off his mask his face had
grown as white as ashes. From to-
right, though you are my sister, l viii
never speak to you again for traducing
my wife's name. thought you hard and
cruel, but / thought also that, with all
your faults, you had an honorable ma
ture. l shall find Audrey, and take her
home. This is no place for her."
Jack was turning abruptly, when a
soft exclamation beside him and a hand
on his arm stopped him.
Lord John, and without your mask :?
Oh! I cannot alloy this, it Is against all
rules"
1t was Sheila who spoke.
"Havc yoI seen my wife. Sheils?"
Jack asked, hurriedly. BE replaced hi,
mask as he spoke.
Il left her few moments ago. She
was with Mr.. Rochfort. Shall we 20 and
fnd her?"
Sheila put her hand on his arm, and
Jack moved away with her without an
other word 70 his sister.
Where did you say you had seen Au-
Grey?" Jack asked, harshly.
Shnila's eyes, shining hard and clear
through bcr mask. were going quickly
round. Where was Alice Fairfax? She
shoGld b. at hand now TO give the cue
FOR The last act in the comedy th.t for
two hearts this night would be bitter
tragedy.
Before she had time to grow angry a
nale-pink domino auttered up to them !;
The owner gave a girlish siggle.
"Sheila. is it you? Yes. see 1t is
Sach fun! have just seen the loveriest
bit OF spooning you ever saw. That verJ
proper Lady John Glendurwood and
who do ye, think?-why, Beverley Roch-
fort! Oh, assure you they were going
on like anything. They have gone to the
old summer house, and"
Sheils checked her accomplice with %
well-acted an air Of anger as to astonish
Miss Fairfax.
"Allee, how dare you'll What are you
ssyias, my dear childl You must not !;
II Is very wrong"
Miss Fairfax pretended to lose her tenn
PEI. Really she had been an Invaluable
ally, and took as much delight IN shar-
ing In this wicked plot as though she
were joining In the purest and best work
on earth.
II an only telling you the truth! II
you don't believe me, 60 and see for your
self! /, for one, am not surprised, after
the way she has gone on Hnight," and
with that Miss Fairfax founced her pink
domino out Of sight.
Jack Giendurwood had made no sgn ::
not even the smallest exclamation crossed
his lips. He stood erect and still, like
a statue Of stone, as they were alone
again. Then suddenly he turned to
Shcila.
where is this summer house she
speaks Of? Il II the old one knowT'
Shcila bit her lin. She had never heard
snysh.lG so terrible cs the sound Of his
voice. the passionate coastraint, the hol-
lowness of acute misery.
my dear Jack" she said, laughing
nervously, "you surely do not mean to say
you take any notice of that foolish
GIRLS"
"Will you answer me" Jack replied,
fcrcely.
For one moment Sheila's heart failed
her. She began to see her work in its
full vileness and sin. What If she had
gone too far? What if he should muir
der Audrey when ne saw her? There
was sound in his voice that spoke of
rage dngoveraable and mad pride.
do not take any notice of such gos-
sip, Jack" she said hurriedly.
All the answer he gave was to begin
to walk out into the grounds. and Sheila.
nerving herself for the last, tArew herself
before him.
mo, Jack" she said in low, choked
tones. "you shall not go!"
"What do you mean?" His face. from
which he had torn away the mask, was
almost savage in its anger and horrible
fear. ''Do you know what you are say
ing. Why must / not so and seek my
wife? Am not the proper person to do
so? Answer me this, Sheila Fraser. why
do you stop me-? Do you fear what l
shall see and hear?"
"Yes," she said, swiftly. Il fear-for
you, Jack"
''Thcn be assured, Sheila, I shall not
be harmed. Lead me to this summer
ho,Sa that 7 mav knoy the worst