Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1886-07-17

Now were the features of both fathers
visible, and never was offered a greater con-
trast of faces. The doctor, who had not been
in bed all night, had a haggard look, which
showed strongly o N his plumpness; his eyes
were languid with anxiety and fatigue. Yet
the dignity of good breeding was in the re-
pose of his face, and in his manners especially
marked. On the other hand was the worn
and handsome face of the shipwright, scorn
and shame cleaning with a half-smothered
light in his eyes, and the iron will of his
nature hardening the curve and set Of his
mouth, and inclining his head to a backward
fall of half-derisive haughtiness. With both
hands he held his hat to his breast, taking no
notice of the others invitation to sit.
"Sir," he said, slowly, "there is q report be-
low that your son is missing. But I am not
a man to heed the towns gossip Let me
know from you that this is So"
ut is So" replied the doctor, cycling him
keenly.
"Is this sudden leaving of you unex-
pected"
Totally unexpected. Mr.. Stran9aeld, if
you have news to give concerning him, I
beg you, in the name Of humanity, not to
withhold it."
ANSWER MI this, DIR. Shaw: Do you
know that he Is married." said Stranr-
field. breathing deeply, and speaking with
/ difficulty.
"Marriedi" cried the doctor, with unmis-
taxable establishment. certainly not, sir
most a%ssuredly not, indeed!"
II pray you reflect before you speak, sir.
As you answer me now, so shall you be
judged by Almighty God, who will hold you
accountable for this action of your off
..~s,os ~ ,,,oul 1n 111J~ .-- ~,
bert ever given you reason to suspect he hath
a wife?"
"Mr: Strangaeld," replied the doctor,
shocked by the energy Of this adjuration, II
have given you a plain answer, and still nv
reply is, No. What has put this extraordi-
nary notion into your headq'
"Then your son is a villain and a robber! the
plunderer of my child's innocence and nv
name and honorl He hath enticed her into
vile wrong; he hath taught her a deceit that
hell itself would rebuke, and now hath lef'
her to dwell alone In the disgrace and ruin
be hath overwhelmed her withp He let fall
his hat, and buried his face In his hands.
The doctor stood petriiei.
"in Gods name, man." he cried, speak
out, and give some meaning to your charges.
Dead or living, my son is outraged by your
language, and before you leave this room you
shall name me his %offense, that I may estab-
lish his innocence"
With a shake Of the head, as if he would
clear his brain, %Strangfield looked up.
my daughter Jenny has this day told me
that she is secretly married to your son. Do
you heed met That she is his wife, sir, which
you would now make out q liei Clear him
of that!n
The doctor put up his hand. He was q man
OF decisive theories, and as bigoted at one
pole Of thought as Strangaeld was at the
other. So calmly confident was he his sou
was not married that he would not even con.
descend to reason the matter to himself.
"Your daughter, " said he, in a cold voice
us either wilfully deceiving you, or labors
under some astonishing delusion. I am init
mately acquainted with my sons nature and
disposition, and do most positively assure
you that he is the last man in the world tc
contract marriage clandestinely."
He spoke with a little curl of the lip, fol-
he was very confident on this point.
"But-" he was continuing; then stoned
and frowned, with his eyes bent on the floor,
"You were about to say It'll" shrieked the
unhappy father. Speak out and clear him
in the name of God! I have called him vii.
lain and robber-clear him"
Il must beg you to restrain your impetu
osity," returned the doctor, haughtily. III
my son has acted the part of a villain, YOU
will not mend matters by clamoring at me
Statements have been made to you by you,
daughter, and their veriication is a simple
matter: But, mark me, she Is deceivins
you"
With a heavy effort Strangfeld calmet
himself, and, with a struggling face ant
twitching fingers, essayed to speak reason
ably.
"You say my girl hath deceived me. Thi
truly has she done, be she speaking gospel O
q DEVILS lie, in what she told her mother
Yet you must know, sir, that up to this da,
never had I a cause to doubt her as a poot
girl. She declares that she was married t
your son three weeks ago, when we had SEN
her for a change of air to her aunt, who live
at Sydenham."
The doctor grew a shade paler.
Three weeks ago! My son was in Londo,
then. Good heaven, sir, he surely-the i'm
neutrality-suspicious." Mr.. Strangfeldk KEEP
his glowing Dyes bent on him. aFor som
time past" the doctor went on. II hav
noticed a change in him, and his answer
have been full of evasion. But if he wer
married. he cried, in his eagerness strainin
his head forward, and leaning with bot
hands on the table. "would he abandon hi
wife and mysteriously depart as he has no,
done, leaving no hint behind him either of hi
motive or his whereabouts. Oh, Mr.. Strann
field, that speaks for itself. That is a YER
p~ersuading argument against your daughter
SIR"
1T is that which has brought me hersI
cried Strangield in q voice Of thunder. "Ha
he Comet you answer yea II be loved be