The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1908-04-23
CuApTER Xy.fContinued.)


bad never in her life attended! How her
eyes sparkled from mere anticipation as
she looked appealingly to her grandfath-
or, who, though classing parties with the
pomps and vanities from which he would
shield his child, still remembered that he
sncs was young, that fifty years ago he,
tco. like Maddy, wanted Ito see the folly
| of it," az! not take the mere word of old
| ey people that in every festive scene there
| was a pitfall, strewn over so thickly with
| roses that 1t was ofttimes hard to tell
| Just where its boundary line commenced.
| Besides that, grandpa had faith in Guy,
and so his consent was granted, and
Maddy was soon on her way to Aikenside,
which presented a gayer, buster appear
ance than she had ever known before.
Jessie was wild with delight, dragging
forth at once the pink dress which she
was to wear, and whispering to Maddy
that Guy had bought a dark blue silk
for her, and that Sarah Jones was at
that moment fashioning it after dress
left there by Maddy the previous summer.
Mother said plain white muslin was
more appropriate for young girl, but
Brother Guy said no; the blue silk would
be useful after the party; it was what
you needed, and so he bought it and paid
dollar and three-quarters yard, but
It's a secret until you are called to try
ii on. Isn't Guy splendid"
He was indeed splendid, Maddy
thought, wondering why he was so kind
to her, and If 1t would be 20 when Lucy
came. The dress fitted admirably. When
N1JI fn, fho rfy
was sent up to her room a small round
kox, scarcely large enough to hold an ap-
PIE, much less small scarf. The present
Ysoved to be pair of plain, but heavy
bracelets, and q most exquisitely wrought
chain of gold, to which was appended
Seautiful pearl cross, the whole accom-
panied with the words, From Guy"
Jessie was in ecstasies. Clasping the
ornaments on Maddy's neck and arms, she
danced around her, declaring there never
was anything more beautiful or anybody
rs pretty as Maddy was in her rich party
dress. Maddy was fond of jewelry-as
what young girl is not?-and felt flush
of gratified pride, or vanity, or satisfac-
ton, whichever one chooses to call 1T,
rs she glanced at herself in the mirror
ande- e-rsmsnherad- .tha-time when, riding
with the doctor, she had met Mrs. Agnes,
with golden bracelets flashing on her
arms. and wished she might one day wear
something like them. The day had come
sooner than she then anticipated, but
Maddy was not as happy in possession of
the coveted ornaments as she had thought
she should be. Somehow, it seemed to
her that Guy ought not TO have given
them to- her, that it was improper for her
20 keep them, and that both Mrs. Noah
and Agnes thought so, too. She wished
she knew exactly what was right, and
then, remembering tlat Guy had said the
doctor was expected early, she decided to
ask his opinion on the subject and abide
by it.
At first Agnes had cared but little
about the party, affecting to despise the
people in their immediate neighborhood
but when Guy gave her permission to in
vite from the adjoining towns, and even
from Worcester if she liked, her spirits
rose and when her toilet was completed,
she shone resplendent in lace and dia-
monds and curls, managing IS retain
through all certain simplicity of dress
appropriate to the hostess. But beautiful
ms Agnes was, she felt in her jealous
heart that there was about Maddy Clyde
an attraction she did not possess. Guy
saw it, too, and while complimenting his
pretty mother-sn-law, kept his eyes fixed
admiringly on Maddy, who started him
into certain unpleasant remembrances by
asking If the doctor had come yet.
"No--yes-there he was now," and
Guy looked into the hall, Nhere the doc
tors voice was heard inquiring for him.
II want to see him minute, alone.
please. There's something l want to ask
him. And, unm:hdful of Agnes dark
ening frown, or Guys look of wonder,
Maddy darted from the room, and ran
hastily down the hall to where the doc
tor stood, waiting for Guy, not for her,
He had not expected TO meet her thus,
or to see her thus, and the sight of her,
grown so tall, so womanly, so stylish, and
10 beautiful, almost took his breath away.
And yet, as he stood with her soft hand
In his, and surveyed her from head to
foot. he felt that he would rather have
her as she was when dainty frill shaded
her pale, wasted face, when the snowy
rufie was fastened high about her throat,
and the cotton bands were buttoned about
her wrists, where gold ones now were
shining. The doctor had never forgotten
Maddy as she was then, the very embodi-
meIt, he thought, OF helpless purity. The
little sick girl, so dear to him then, was
growing away from him now and these
adornings which marked the budding wo-
man, seemed to remove her from him and
place her nearer to Guy, whose bride
should wear jewels, just as Maddy did.
She was very glad TO see him, she said,
asking in the same breath why he had not
been to the cottage, If she had not grown
TALL and if he thought her improved with
living in a city.
''One question at a time, If you please" "
ne said, drawing her little more into
he shadow of the hall, where they would
We less observed by anyone passing