The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1892-04-23

my getting my living as a clerk, etc.
incidentally [ referred to my mothers
family, and, the name leading him
to make further inquiries, he discover
ed the curions fact that my mother
must have been his wife's cousin. How
often do we find wide circles OF friends
linked together in this way! I
thought that Miss Lascelles was
greatly pleased with the discovery of
the distant relationship existing be-
tween us; we seemed less remote from
each other.
During III absence Miss Lascelles
had devoted herself entirely to Van
Hoeck; her sympathy had a remark
able effect upon this strange man.
When l took him up to his room to
dress for dinner, he asked me to open
the windows, and place him where he
might feel the air. He sat before the
open window; the setting sun was
reflected upon his sightless eyes.
l believe he became unconscious OF my
presence, and I stood there watch
ing the play OF his features. His nos
trils dilated, his brows creased to-
gether, his lips parted, showing his
teeth closely set, the whole expression
OF the face indicating extreme dread;
then the muscles relaxed, for a. mo-
ment his cadaverous cheeks were
tinged with color, the eyes closed, and
the lips trembled as il in ecstasy.
Again his lids rose, and the look OF
dread returned to his face. He shrank
back in his chair, and blinked his eyes
as though to give them light; then
suddenly he flung out his arms wildly,
and, with O. smothered cry of i'm.
potent rage, buried his face in his
hands, his long, thin fingers pressing
the throbbing veins which stood out
knotted and hard upon his temples.
"What is the matter, old mann" I
asked, putting my hand on his shout
der.
He started, and answered impa-
tiently:
"Nothing, nothing,-a dream!" And
then he asked savagely, "Who watches
you in the night?'
'"This is not the night" I replied,
fancying he vas yet but half awake.
"Isn't it?" he asked, turning his
eyes from n side to the other; then
stretching out his hands, as if to
Heaven, he cried, "Then what is
night?"
Poor wretch, all was indeed night to
him. I tried to engage him in CONVEX
sation, but he waved his hand impa-
tiently, and, getting up, felt his way
to the washstand.
eco down." he said; "Miss Lascel.
les is more pleasing to the eye than
am; she must be beautiful. for her
voice is music, her touch is like the
petal of a rose. Where do you keep
the diamond? Is it safe?"
I told him that I now kept it in a
belt buckled to my waist.
"Strap it to your wrist again; it is
safer" he said; and then, bending his
head~aside, he listened attentively fo1
! a moment, and continued in a lower
voice, "They are talking together
| down there. Creep down and listen,
I tell you we are not safe here,-I see
that through my blindness. Ihave fac
ulties in place OF that l have lost. Dc
you hear them? Come closer
Thorne; there is a conspiracy in this
Eouse,-a plot to rob us OF oul
treasure, and turn us beggars again
upon the street. II l could trust you.
I'd tell you mor But every one is a
thief who has the power to steal"
/ It was not the first time l had
| heard him talk in this vein. At Ma,
| tai, on the ship. he had been in con.
slant dread OF being robbed. l was
glad to get away from him. AS ]
passed the head of the stairs in going
to my room, I distinguished the
%sound-too distant. before to tel
| upon my dull ear-of Sir Edmund's
| voice aud the Judges; they were in
the library below. After dressing, ]
joined them, and found Sir Ed
mund greatly interested in
Braces description of gold mining
| in CALIFORNIA; subject upon which
he could be eloquent by the hour to-
gether.
On the 18th Sir Edmund, Miss Las'
celles, and l rode over to Southamp'
ton. Miss Lascelles was in her gayest.
nappleSU HlOOO, dHu Ill Nei IlulllS- HUI
| it looked more charming than ever.
In returning, we met a friend OF ST,
Edmund's; he accepted the invitation
| to take lunch at the Abbey, and rode
| beside the baronet, ahead OF us. W.
two took the hill so slowly that, com
ing to the crossroads, we could not
! see Sir Edmund and his friend. There
were two ways to the Abbey. After a lit;
| tie elaboration, Miss Lascelles laugh
! ingly consented to take the longer
| one.
The morning was superb; the woods
were glorious. The rich, warm tints
| of the reddenirg foliage were reflected
on my beautiful companions cheek;
| her yes seemed to catch the glitter
| of the dew that still hung on the COS.
samers. I forget what we talked
| about; but she was full OF mirth, and
now and then the still woods rang
| with the musical cadence of her laugh
| But suddenly the smile died from he,
face, and she said,-
"We forget poor little Lola"
And then, as if the words had con