Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1893-05-25
CHAPTER 1.

The sky was vault of fleckless blue,
the sun great cleaning sapphire, the
lir bracing as pure wine, and the rare
autumnal day was drawing to close.
Hopedale was peaceful hamlet, but
beyond It's kind in certainty one pro-
sressive point-it had young ladies'
seminary of unusual excellence, and
Young man of more than usual acumen
was enjoying the beautiful day and
taking in the distant turrets and peaks
If the institute Of learning in question
at that eventful hour, for him. when
our story opens.
He had the look Of an artist. and the
equipment of an artist surrounded him.
He had chosen the slope Of Il wooded
grove for his camp-stool, and had set
MS easel facing the village The fam
ing leaves of broad-spreading trcc
sheltered him. Air. earth and sky were
n harmony with the artistic impulse.
but just now he seemed in Il thoughtful
:ather than an active mood.
His brush had fallen to his side, and
HE canvas showed only Il few lazy
patches of color. 1t seemed as if he
nad come out to paint nature and had
;".cn shHmcd from feeble effort by the
glorious brush of nature itself. Tho
sun. which dashed the white villas with
pale gold. made the sumacS Il great
"uSanguined blur of crimson. and,
.tlingling with the vari-colorcd tree
tops. produced those exquisite shades
and alterations Of color and beautiful
affects which no pen has ever yet de-
'cribcd. no brush ever yet dclincated.
Il wish she would come" he muir
INJURED. II wonder if she will Gomez"
His words We're 4 sigh Of longing and
anxiety, and he continued to gaze ut the
distant turrctS rs if she was a fairy.
with power to fly straight through the
air to his side.
There was 4 rllStling among the dry
twigs back of him. but he did not heed
It. Then there was 4 CULVER of branches
overhead. and down came hundred
huttering leaves.
Caught in Il shower. Mr. Dreamer"
laughed Il bright bell-like voice. lis
this the way you work at the great
picture that is to charm the world:"
Edna
Over went stool and easel as the
young man sprang to his feet. as if
from an electric shock Red rs the red.
red leaves Strewn about him flushed
'AAS hSAilhfSolllC Illll brighter luHn
the crystal rays of sunshine glowed
lis proud-looking eyes down into re-
sponsive ones brighter yet. while he
clasped the hands. both hands, that
had shaken the bough overhead, send
ing earthward the tiuttcring messen-
gers Of mischief.
Il so wanted to see you" he brcathcd.
thrilling at the trustful glance of those
pure eyes.
And | 80 wanted to see YOU, but
Raymond"'
He was a privileged character. this
athletic, handsome-faced young fellow.
all soul, all art. all love. for they were
aliiinccd, yet her tones We're Il tender
rcprOach. mock serious mandate, as
his eager lips came Il triflc dangerously
AGAR sweeping her yclvety cheek. She
tad managed to shrink back and dis
engage her hand. and with the tip of
one peariy pink finger size pointed back
the way she had come.
There was Il rogliSil twinkle in her
:yc. as Raymond Marshall stole quick
glance in the direction Indicated He
froWned and groaned, dolcfully but
submiSsively.
His visitor had not come unattended.
Back in the grove, IL girl of her own
age WAS toying with the rafting tops
pf the blanchcd golden rod.
Was it necessary" he began. and
then he uttered, quite testify: Always
that girl!'
Raymond! how dare YOU came
the spirited Interpolation. and Miss
Edna Deanc showed the fire of her
quick nature in a sudden. indignant
flash of those captivating eyes. 'Bea-
trce Mercer is my friend
Il wish she wasn't OF all your as
sOcia teS l diStrust her the most ven
turcd Raymond Marshall
You ought to be ashamed" com
mented Miss Tyrant, severely. land
you ought TO feel grateful to her, ill.,
stead of otherwise
''Grateful:'
Yes; that is if you really care about
seeing me. You know the rules of the
seminary. No young lady may leave
It's sacred precincts unless accompanied
by one of the teachers. Poor Beatrice
has to teach for her tuition, and they
invest her with the dignity and judg-
ment Of Il ducnna. So. when | told
Miss Chandler. the principal. that | had
the headache. that 1 thought 1 spied
YOU so lonesome and industrious over
here, and felt that the encouragement
OF my criticism on your beautiful pict-
IRE might hurry up its completion, she
reluctantly admitted that such a pro-
ceeding would be quite proper if Bea-
tr;ce accompanied me-
Raymond Marshall WINGED at the
thrust at his Incidence. He frightened
Up, however, as he said:
Never mind. All that will soon end.
and soon we shall have no friend chap
eron or duenna to mar the complete
ness of happiness. Eth. my little love"
Edna's head had dropped on her
breast, and she shook her head slowly.
eff only-if only Miss Chandler would
speak"
Yes interrupted Raymond, excited
iy; IF she would only speak. Just look
at it! Here we are, two loving, har-
monious souls. / think the world of
you, and you take pity on me, and hope
n. tNrv