Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1913-06-13
A Game of Hearts
Copyright, by w. G.. Chapman.)

Yes she answered slowly, and
could see that her heart was sore. y
have determined to get a divorce from
Brent. We were married two years
ago. A year G We decided to get
this little house, n then, under the
pretext of making more money to put
home. At first l believed he was
working, but the advance in the
money he has been making does not
show it. At least, Mama, who has
lived with us ever since we were mar
ried, just came to me and told me the
truth. 1t just hurt her heart so to
e how l was being treated that she
had to do it. She showed me how
Brent must be making a lot more
money than he had bee turning in,
and certainly If he has-what on
earth has he been doing with it?'
You suspect another woman,
them I asked.
81 certainly do she answered with
a snap, and SO does Mama
II could have known that last with
out her telling me. l was beginning
to see through a few things. Mama
on n side, friends on the other. Both
mixing their opinions in where they
had no right. The poor little couple
hadn't even had a chance to become
good comrades. And, as l left the
house, l resolved that for once in my
life I was going to serve two clients
in the same case. and for their bene-
fit.
"The next afternoon l went to Mr..
Douglas office. I carried with me a
ticket on one Of the fastest trains out
of Chicago, and a stateroom reserva-
ton. l handed them both to him.
at am sorry that I canno give you
any Information as to what the pur-
pose Of his 1s-except to ell you it
will show O the standing of your
wife toward you You are to take this
train tomorrow afternoon n stay in
the smoking compartment until after
we pass Joliet Then you are to go
to your stateroom and remain there.
Will you take my orders?'
"'Certainly,' he answered, but 1
can't understand
"I am doing the detective work in
this case 1 answered him. 'You de-
sired some evidence. l am going to
get it If you will let me have my way.
If not I give up the case very cheer
fully
H held up a restraining hand.
"1ll obey YOU ORDERS he an
swered with a little smile:
VERY well,' l said as I left the
Office. Say nothing Of this to your
wife and do not eve tell her that you
are going out of town. You will near
from me at ST. Louis or sooner. Good
day.
Il left him then and hurried for a
car which would take me to the home
Of Mrs. Douglas. Her mother met me
at the door.
"Is 1t anything regarding the case?'
she asked, and I thought I detected a
bit of eagerness in her tone. Poor
soul, she believed she was doing right
in separating a husband and wife. I
don't believe there was ever a mother
who didn't believe that she was work
ing for the best. But she just didn't
realize that she was a bit selfish in
her love for her daughter and that the
ties Of marriage had given lee
else another claim also.
Eyes l answered her, sit is about
the case. l wan to see Mrs. Douglas
personally
"Ten minutes later l was alone
with the little girl. I took from my
pocket a railroad ticket and a state
room reservation.
"'Here,' l said, 4 have found the
way to get some evidence as regards
your husband. The moment he leaves
b house tomorrow morning, hurry
for a train and go to Joliet. Then, in
the afternoon, take the flyer and go
right to ous stateroom. 1 want no
one on the train to see you, If possible.
Do you understand
Ono she answered frankly.
"'You will later I told her. I will
see that you have more information by
the time you reach ST. Louis. Now, l
believe o will do as o say
81 WILL she conceded, and l left
her to go to my apartment, snuggle
my little kiddie up against my breast,
and spend more than one hour in plan
ming ahead and smiling to myself.
whats the matter, Mama?' Baby
asked me. What do you see that's
funny?'
"a lot of things, Honey l muir
INJURED, just a whole lot Of things
THE next afternoon at 5 o'clock, I
boarded the train for st. Louis and as
l walked past the smoking compart-
ment Of the Pullman l took a peek
within. Then / smiled. A man was
within, smoking and apparently nerv-
GUS. At least a part of my scheme
had worked. One by one the people
entered, until every berth a full. l
CHANGED to take a peek within the
stateroom-just an accidental opening
of the door, you know-and laughed to
myself as / saw that the porter had
done the work I had bribed him to
dc. There was a grin on his black
face when l passed him in the pas
sageway and he bowed his head.
".Ah's done got everything ar
ranged he said.
"'Shh-h-h.' I warned him hastily.
We were nea the smoking compart-
ment.
"For an hour nothing happened. My
seat was neal the smoker end of the
car and my eyes were continually on
the passageway, for / was fearful that
he would tire of his job of staying
within tho commandment Rut he