Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1892-04-21

and, with q 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 man?' 1
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" replied,
fancying he was yet but hall awake.
'Isn't it?" he asked, turning his
eyes from one 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. tried to engage him in CONVEX
sation, but he waved his hand impa-
tiently, and, getting up, felt his way
to the washstand.
"Go down." he said; "Miss Lascel-
les is more pleasing to the eye than 1
am; she must be beautiful. for her
voice is music, her touch is like the
petal of rose Where do you keep
the diamond? Is it safe?"
l 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 for
moment, and continued in a lower
voice, "They are talking together
down there. Creep down and listen.
| tell you we are not safe here,-I see
that through my blindness. Ihave fac
ulties in place OF that have lost. Do
you hear them? Come closer
Thorne; there is a conspiracy in this
Eouse,-a plot to rob us of our
treasure, and turn us begsars again
upon the street. Ii could trust you,
I'd tell you more. But every one is a
thief who has the power to steal
1t was not the first time had
heard him talk in this vein. At Ma
tai, on the ship. he had been in con-
slant dread OF being robbed. was
glad to get away from him. As |
passed the head OF the stairs in going
to my room, 1 distinguished the
sound-too distant before to tell
upon my dull ear-of Sir Edmund's
voice aud the Judges; they were in
the library below. After dressing, I
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 rode over to Southamp.
ton. Miss Lascelles was in her gayest,
happiest mood, and in her riding-hab
it looked more charming than ever.
In returning, we met q friend OF Sir
Edmund's; he accepted the invitation
to take lunch at the Abbey, and rode
beside the baronet, ahead OF us. We
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 deliberation, Miss Lascelles laugh
ingly consented to take the longer
one.
The morning was superb; the woods
we're glorious. The rich, warm tints
OF the rcddening foliage were reflected
on my beautiful companions check;
her eyes 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 her
face. and she said,-
rWe forget poor little Lola,
And then, as if the words had con-
jured up her presence, the girl appear
ed, swiftly speeding between the red
boles OF the fir trees. We stopped, and
| Called
"Lola, dear, come and speak to
me-"
She stood still, and looked us if ir-
resolute whether or not to respond to
my appeal. -,
II will stay here. Go to her." said
Miss Lascelles softly.
But, as if she had OWNED my inten-
ton, Lola shook her head mournfully
as she had done before, and, going her
way, was presently hid by the tall
brake. AS we crossed the opening
where we had previously seen her, l
looked back, and perceived her stand
ing in the same place, gazing after us.
1t was easy to conceive her misery,
and the bitter feelings OF her heart.
She was unaltered, but was no long
er the rough toiler, grateful for a tin
OF water fetched from the stream. All
that was past. was no longer her
companion. should never, never
more, share her hard fate, and look
to her to lessen the hardships ofexist-
4 nce.
On the 10th we went again into the
woods, but on foot, Miss Lascelles
and l, straying thither without pur-
pose from the garden where we met.
We came to stream bridged by q
single plank supported in the middle.
There had been a hand-rail, but it
had fallen awaSi in decay. gave her
my hand; the fear of falling made her
clasp my fingers tightly. She seemed
to enjoy the little danger; it animated
her face and eyes with the prettiest,
most hawitchino exnrasaiOn imapin-