Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1891-11-12

sat there, sbrown.eyed and self-con-i
tanned, and presently looked out Of
the window again. The young man.
made another issue, I'M
"What on earth brings you to this
foasaken region?" he asked. Miss
Grenville looked at him inquiringly.
els it forsaken?" she asked. "I
think it is very pretty"
exciting
"Do you like excitement?" asked
Miss Granville, sweetly.
~ do not, but you door used to.
"Did |? I think I must have
changed"
"Probably;you are changeable, said
the young man very bitterly. The
young woman made no reply. Mar
den looked uncomfortably at his boots
for a while, then be made 3. third at
tempt.
evil you please tell me where you
are going, Grace?" he said.
Miss Granville turned slowly from
the window.
Ithink you had better call me Miss
Grenville," she said.
every well. Miss Granville, will you
please tell me where you are going?"
Certainly. | am going to visit my
aunt at Wilmington. And your
I'm going to Wilmington too-on
business"
care you? Then you must know
about the coach from Readsboro."
"Wel-er-the fact isl don't.
l decided to 60 very suddenly-that is
Il couldn't find out about the stage"
"Oh," said Miss Grenvllle.
81 have no doubt it will be all
right" observed Marden. for want of
anything better to say.
ooh, no doubt" said Miss Gren-
vile, perhaps for the samereason.
But when they arrived at the termin-
us Of the road they found that it was
not all right. The stage was there,
but every available seat but one had
been taken. 1t was growing late and
Miss Granville was in despair. "You
might 90 and let your maid come in
the morning." suggested Marden he
roically.
The maid was interviewed on this
subject, but was fearful and OBSTINATE.
Then the young man made another
suggestion The maid might take the
available place and he would drive
Miss Grenville over. He was sure. he
could get a horse. He would have to
do 1t on account of his business, any
way. Miss Grenville defended her po-
sltion, but finally surrendered. The
maid took the place in the stage, and
Marden went in search OF q horse.
Half an hour later, as the sun was
going down behind the hills, cadaver-
ous-looking horse, with almost a sus-
picious dislike to anything like haste.
drew q single buggy out OF Readsboro
and along the pretty road toward Sad
awga and Wilmingto on. They passed the
outskirts OF the village, and the road
began to grow prettier and more close
ly hemmed in with trees. The cadav-
erous-looking horse moved on with an
uncertain jog that was q cross be-
tween a run, q trot, and a walk. The
result was q sort ola hop. Miss
Grehville made some attempts at con-
versation. but her companion reward
ed her with silence. She made several
uncomplimentary remarks about the
horse which were witty enough for an
ordinary occasion, but Nlarden did
not smie-he did not seem to be pay
ing attention; so finally she subsidized
into her side OF the carriage and said
no more. Presently Marden spoke.
"Grace," he said, do you know why
1 am up here?''
Miss Grenville looked up Innocent
ly.
"Of course" she said. "You told me
you had to come on business"
(Which was not true, as you know.
came because 1 followed you from
Boston,"
drank, how dare you!" said Miss
Grenville Indignantly.
Marden went on quietly:
"And while l was standing out there
in the baggage car"
II thought you were going to fall
out of the door, continued Miss Gren-
vile suddenly. Marden looked at her
and then went on again quietly:
"You did not see me. You were sur
prised that / was on the train when I
spoke to you"
"Oh!" said Miss Grenville.
"When was standing in the bag
gage-car made up my mind that you
would have to talk to me. lam more
sure OF it now. l have been trying to
see you for two months and you have
been able to keep me from it. / know
/ am brute and that if you wanted
to throw me over and not tell me why
ought to stand it; but I can't and
I'm through trying"
Miss Granville laughed uneasily. A
bough from one of the trees thatskirt-
ed the road hung over within reach
and she snatched a couple of itsleaves
as they passed.
81 wonder what kind of a tree that
isl" she said. Marden took the green
bough from her hand and threw it
into the road.
4Grace," he, said, "why did you
throw me oyer?"
Miss Granville looked around as if
for some avenue OF escape, but none
presented itself and she leaned back
again in the carriage.
Perhaps" she said at length,
L 4