Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1910-07-01
alice TluIst0l's Prisoner
BY Melville s. Bell.


| modest living.
OF course there were times when she
was unable to settle all financial at
fairs that accompany all households,
| n this raw March morning their
landlord informed them he would call
at 10 o'clock n expect confidently TO
receive the emit money which was long
| overdue.
Precisely at 9:45 o'clock Mr.. Brown
| rose from his desk and brushed the
brown hair just tinged with gray from
| his square yet not unkindly brow. He
went forth into the chilly air fully de-
termined to get his due from Mrs.
5R E aas = ous,nt house. with neat lawn
n s~crupulously clean porch and steps
that were much worn from frequent
scrubbing.
None of these circumstances, how
| ever, did Mr.. Brown notice as he pulled
the glittering brass doorknob and
walked into Mrs. Towards sitting
room.
A cheerful fire was burning in the
CRATE, and at a table, with writing ma
terial before her, sat a young lady
whom the landlord recognized at once
as the granddaughter of Mrs. Howard.
She was quite a pretty girl, though
you would e have thought OF class
ing her among the beauties. With
curling black hair n dark, long
dashed eyes, she was not disagreeable
to look upon. There was something
very attractive in the dignity of her
manner
Miss Thurston rose with a polite bow,
which was only dimly reciprocated by
Mr.. Brown.
II have called to see you- grand
mother, Miss Thurston."
II am well aware of the fact, Mr..
Brown, but being conscious of her ex-
IRENE nervous condition, have sent her
from the room, pIefeiIiis 10 ueai with
you myself"
The calm audacity Of this girl fairly
startled Mr.. Brown.
THE money, / hope. is ready?"
mo, I am sorry to say, we are un-
able to meet our demand"
Pardon me, miss, l must speak
plainly, an officer will be here this aft
ernoon to put a valuation on the fur
niture and"
You will do nothing of the kind" in
tc-ruoted Alice, her cheeks reddening
and her eyes flashing f~uriously.
Mr.. Brown walked toward the door,,
as II to go, but, before he realized what
he was doing, Alice had quietly locked
the door and taken the key out n re-
turned to her seat by the table.
"Wha do you mean, miss?" ex-
SAAAA NAAS W 4
You will now be obliged to reconsid-
er the question:" said Alice.
"Obliged?"
Yes, you will hardly jump out of
the window; there is no other attain
able egress unless you choose to ascend
the chimney, and l don't think you
wish to soil that lovely suit of yours.
You are a very rich man, Mr.. Brown,
a--d own rows of houses, railway
shares, stocks n bonds and mort
cages n other enterprises too numer-
Gus to mention.
My grandmother is a very poor
woman n i support her with what
work / can get. Now, would you cause
US so much suffering by being so cruel?
You are not a bad man, Mr.. Brown,
you have many noble qualities and I
like o for them"
She paused a moment and ooked in
tently and gravely at the landlord.
1t was not unpleasant to be told by
a pretty girl that she liked him on any
terms, yet he had INDUCED in some
plain speaking.
Il have been told" she continued,
of many acts of kindness you have
performed. You must show some SYM
pathy In this case. You are extremely
cross this morning. Perhaps 1t is the
weather, for / do not think you are
always thus.
Hush, I accept no excuse. You are
inclined to be irritable and overbear-
Ing. If / were your mother and you
a little boy l should certainly put you
in a corner until you promised to be
good"
Mr.. Brown smiled, although he was
at the moment really feeling very an
cry.
Alice went on with the utmost COM
posure:
"ITnder the circumstapoaS T cop oply
detain you as my prisoner until you
promise not to bother us until I am
able TO pay, which will not be very
long. Then, and only then, will you
get your money. Do you promise?
Yes or nor"
Please yourself, Mr.. Brown, / can
wait"
Miss Thurston deposited the key in
the pocket of her dress, and sat down
and proceeded to write.
Had h been a man there is no
telling what he would have done; as it
was, she wore an invisible armor of
power In the very fact that she was a
woman, and she knew 1t.
Miss Thurston," said he, very stern
ly, unlock that door, or 1 shall call
for help"
"All right, do so if you wish"
Miss Alice"
MI DIoWH.
DO you know it is IL o'clock?"
Yes, / think / heard it strike"
Il should like to get some lunch"
II am sorry that luxury is beyond
your power today"
How provoking she was. Mr.. Brown
eyed the pocket of her blue dress
greedily and walked up and down the
room in dismay.
Il have n appointment for / o'clock"
What a pity o cannot keep it,"
He took another turn across the
room. Alice raised her eyes to his,
n with g sauey smile said:
We'll, are you ready to promise 2"
Unfortunately, yes. What else can
/ do?"
you promise?"
II do, because / can't help myself"
You have made me very happy, Mr..
Brown" said Alice, as she drew the
key from her pocket and unlocked the
door. Il know you think me very un-
womanly and perhaps bold, but If you
only knew to what extremities we have
been forced by poverty, I am sure you
would not censure me so severely. Good
morning, Mr.. Brown"
With many curious and complicated
thoughts and emotions struggling
Irl,x-A IT. $500 lIl nj. $500