Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1893-12-21
THE LAST CHAPTER"

Wis.
Copyright by Northwestern Nrwspa.
per Union)
Has this been Il merry Christmas.
Miss Scacord:"
Yes. she replied. iii has been !:
pleasant day and Il fitting close to a de-
lightful visit" CHANGING UP she noticed
his surprise and divinin- his thoughts.
added. Il had almost forgotten to irlI
yon that | leave for home in the morn
ing
Il thought you intended remaining
until February" he replied You
must have tired of lis, for it is only
three weeks since you came" Three
weeks. Surely | mus, have been her"
over three weeks" she exclaimed. NO
You have not for | met you the evening
YOU arrived he said drvly.
She made no reply and they drove on
in silence through the deepening twi-
light. Only three weeks. yet it seemed
to Maud Sracord us many months since
she had met this man. She smiled L;
his recollection of their first meeting.
He. too. recalled it distinctly. 1t was
at Il reception, and she had caught
but IL glimpse of him as he entered.
but had been impressed by his hand
some face and manly bearing. Later
in the evening she had asked her aunt
who he was. whcrcupon that good lady
had been greatly alarmed That
man." she had said, lis Horace Hank
ness Maud, do not | beg of you. fall
in love with him. He is handsome.
clever. wealthy and fascinating. but
not Il marrying man. If you amusc
him he will be very attentive for Il
t1,nr S1I 1,,,r r,H
fresh cOnQueStS.' That advice seems
less untruthful now.
Poor Horace ut that mon ont was RI
Their an object for pity than contempt.
ltunors of Maud's engagement to Il
Western lawyer had reached him and
he was anxious to ascertain the truth
concerning them before asking the mo-
mrntous question. 1t was a case Of
now or never Time was precious. but
each moment made his task seem more
difficult.
Before hc could decide upon plan of
action the horses stopped i'll front of
the toll gate. The collector Of tolls
failed to matcrialiZc and while they
were waiting Horace took his Compan-
ions hand to examine more closely the
rings she wore. Hc glanced at them
:. moment. then said:
ITO which Of these rings is there a
history"
THE one with the emerald setting
is connected with the third chapter OF
my history" was the unexpected re-
Spouse.
Wont YOU tell it to me-"
"If you wish TO hear it, ! am sure
it will either amusr. instruct or enter
tain yOn,' she replied.
During first year 1T boarding school
I had Il roommate who talked con-
tinualy of her brother. At Christmas
she invited me to spend the holidays
with her. so l had IN opportunity to
meet this paragon.
HE WAS u nice boy, only he had
rcd hair. Moreover. lie proved a con-
genial companion. and before many
days elapsed 1 fell very much in love
with him, or imagined / did, which
answered the same purpose. Christmas
eve my friend gave party, her broth
cr and l met under the mistlctoe, and
vowed eternal consistency and undying
love- When I returned to school we
correspondent every day at first But
finding that took too much time letters
were exchanged every week. At length
the time dropped to one month, and
finally our correspond ance subsidized al
together.
In chapter two my first grown-up
admirer appears. He had fierce look
ing mustachc and a tired expression.
Then, too, he thought he knew it all.
had the attack lighter this time and
was content to worship at a distance.
When discovered my affection was re-
ciprocated l was dismayed. l avoided
him every day, but ut last was cor
nered Then l as SO badly frightened
1 cried like baby. At Christmas he
sent me a rattle and SO ended chapter
two.
Chapter three Is consecrated to one
who was my nearest, dearest friend.
From childhood he had been like
brother to me. Two years ago he died.
Just before he expired he asked for me.
When / went to him he gave me this
ring as Il remebrance and spoke words
shall ever remember.
A tear fell and dimmed the emerald
and her voice trembled rs she began
chapter four. The hero of this chapter
was professor of music. He had
lovely curly hair and sang divinely.
All the girls In our set were mndly
In love with him, SO / was battered
by his preference. All weat smoothly