Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1893-12-21

until one day | mot Linn in III" city in
Il dreadful plight. He had been caught
by 4 shower unprcparcd The rain had
taken the curl from his hal and the
dye from his mllStachr His long locks
fell around his face like rats tails.
Ugh. Il was lorrid. was so disguised
! discontinued my music lessons. He
said he would shoot himself il l didn't
,clcnt. but he never did" she concluded
with an injured air.
Poor fellow" Laugh ii Horace. But
how about chapter i've She flushed
and fall"rcd. but said: 'Oh! I'm in
+ the midst Of that now. What would
you do if YOU knew how it would cnd!'
said he.
She looked up into his anxious face.
then said very seriously. Close it and
begin another"
Toll. sir: IT was the rrcrrlnt gate
keeper. Horace paid the toll, whipped
! mp tn" horses and they dashed through
lhr busy streets. A few minutes later
he left her at Mrs. Sracord'S door and
babe h.i' Il merely cool good evening.
The next day just as the morning
train w;lS leaving the station. Il messen-
ger boy rushed breathlessly in. He de-
posted Il box on Maud Scacorus lap,
and. having done this. hurried out She
opcnh the box. There. lying half-hid-
den among the deep red roses, was Il
card. On one side was engraved ''IIOr-
ace Albert HarkneSS.' on the other in
i S2ntl"nans handwriting these words.
The Close of Chapter ""
-
1T WAS your turn. Mr.. Hardness"
called out a languid brunette, who was
loungiuy in hammock.
Give us your experiences. Harry"
suggested some one on the other side
of the fire Still the person addressed
continued to gaze thoughtfully into the
burnin" rmbcrS. At last he began what
she called "a love story that ended IN
eXpcctcdly."
He pictured scene ut toll-gate,
Just at twilight. FESTIVE horses, an
anxious youth and Il SOlden-llared
maiden with Il tip-tiltrd nose and a
pcnSivc mouth were there. He ex-
planned the young mans object in ask
ing the history Of the ring. and told
them how she saved him Il direct re-
fusal by her story. He related what he
remembered Of her five chapters. con-
Guiding his last and shortest chapter
when she fourni thc card among the
roses containing the words: The Close
Of Chapter w.
THAT man was IN IDIOT" abruptly
remarked the languid brunette. 'Why?'
asked the story teller curiously. Be
cause the girl loved him." she contiu-
ued. ''Shc gave the only answer she
trutlfully could when she said she
said she would close it and begin an
other il she knew how the chapter
would end II he were only flirting
with her she would be compelled to
close it, while. if he really loved her,
the new chapter would follow as a
matter of course.
Did they ever meet again. Mr.. Iark-
neSS?' She turned to where he had
been sitting. but he was just disappear
ing among 4 grove OF cvergreens.
GLORY to God in the highest, On
earth peace and good will to men, the
choir chantcd. and the words found an
echo in the hearts of the silent wor-
Slippers. To the few who had come to
midnight service this Christmas eve
the beautiful service seemed very i'm
| prcssivc. They all followed the service
devOutly through save one, q young
| man, who had come in late. He seemed
more engrosscd i'll Il young lady a little
| ahead Of him than in the services.
| When the services came to an end he
waited in the rear of the church until
the young lady he had been watching
started out She did not notice him
until he stepped in front of her, then,
though startled, she calmly greeted him
and passed hastily out.
But he followed her. Noticing this
she suddenly turned and demanded,
What have you come here for?'
For you. Maud" was the cool re-
| Spouse. Then his manner changed.
Miss Seacord." he said, III I am to
blame for this misunderstanding have
more than paid the penalty In bitter
ness Of spirit during the last two years.
Tell me-" he pleaded, was it mis-
understanding? She was silent
Maud" and he took her hand, do
you remember two years ago on Christ
mas day, you told me the story of
your five chapters in connection with
a ring? Now add another to your
collection Clipping a ring on her fin
ger). It marks the beginning Of Chap
ter Number Six-the last chapter in
your book Of recOllections."
She hesitated and the diamond caught
her attention as 1t sparkled and gilt
tered In the moonlight. A few mo-
ments later the clock struck one. She
was startled for minute, then slipping
her hand into his murmured In a soft,
sweet voice, "A merry Christmas to
you. Horace"