Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1894-08-02
BY Pas. M0kESVY0RT III.
, smiled very slightly

whatever you may prefer to that. The
| farce did not originate With me. l as
sure YOU"
"Do you mean by that that you will
not take me down StairS:" she said,
smiling again as she got up from her
seat. Il should like an ice very much"
Despald bowed without speaking,
and offered her his arm.
| But when he had piloted her through
the crowd, and she was standing quiet
ly with her ice, he broke the silence.
Miss Ffordc." he began, las the
fates have again forced me on your
notice, should like to ask you Ques-
ton"
She raised her eyes inuuiringly. No
he had not exaggerated their beauty.
Il should like to know the meaning
Of the strange words~you honored me
with as l was leaving Mrs. Engle-
woods the other evening. l DO not
think you have forgotten them
NO" she replied. Il have not for
gotten them, and 1 meant them, and
l still mean them. But l will not talk
about them or explain anything I
said"
There was nothing the least f1ippant
in her tone-only quiet determination.
But Despard. watching keenly. saw
that her lip; quivered little as she
spoke
LAS you choose" he said. "Of
course. in the face of such very I'M
compromising REFUSAL 1 can say moth
ing more
Then shall we go up stairs again?"
proporel Miss Fforde.
Mr.. Norreys acquiesced. But he had
laid his plans. and he was more dip
lomatic adversary than Miss Fforde
was prepared to cope With.
Il finished reading the book we were
speaking Of the other evening"" he
began in a matter-of-fact voice; Il
mean-" and he named the book.
AT least. fancy it was you was dis
cussing it with. The last volume falls
off greatly
'Oh. do you think so.' said the girl
in a tone of half-indignant disapDoint-
ment. falling blindly into the trap. II,
on the contrary, felt that the last vol
ume made amends for all that was
unsatisfactory in the others. You see
by it what he was driving at all the
time, and that the persifage and APP
| parent cynicism We're only means to
an end 1 do hate cynicism-it is so
| easy and such a little makes a great eff
| feet
Something in her tone made Despard
| feel irritated. rs she hitting at me
| again:" he thought. And the idea
| threw him. in his turn. off his guard
The natural result was that both for.
| got themselves in the interest Of the
| discussion. And DAspard, when he, as
| it We're. awoke to the realization of
this. took care not to throw away the
advantage he had gained. He drew
| her out, he talked as he but seldom ex-
| erted himself to do, and when at the
| end Of half an hour or so an elderly
| lady, whom he knew by name only.
was seen approaching them, Miss
| Fforde sprang to her feet. exclaiming:
Have you been looking for me? I
hope not'-he smiled quietly as he
ed
Goodnight, Mr.. Norreys," said Mai
sic, simply.
1.-Two evenings ago she would not
say goodnight at ALL" he thought.
than bow quietly.
"You are very-cold, grim-no, 1
don't know what to call it, AIa:sie,
DEAR" said the Lady, the cousin and
| present chaDeron, us they drove away,
lin your manner to men; and that man
in Dcspard Norreys. 1t is
not often he is so civil to any girl"
II detest all men--al young men,"
replied Maisic irritably.
| But, my dear you should be COM
monty civil. And he has been giving
himself, for him. unusual trouble to
entertain you" Can he know about
her! Oh, no, it is impossible" she
added to herself.
Miss Fforde closed her lips firmly.
But in moment or two she opened
them again.
Cousin Agnes" she said, half smil-
ing, II am afraid you are quite mis-
taken. If 1 had not been what you
call commonly CIVIL would he have
gone on talking to me? On the con-
trary, am sadly afraid I was far too
civil"
'My dear child" calculated her cous-
in, what do you mean?"
"Oh," said Aaisie, 81 don't know.
Never mind the silly things 1 say 1
like being with you, Cousin Agnes,
but don't like London. 1 am much
happier at home in the country"
But, my dear child, when saw you
at home a few months ago you were
looking forward with pleasure to COM
ing. What has changed you? What
has disappointed your
II am not suited for anything but a
quiet country lifc-tllat is ALL said
| Miss Fforde.
But, then. A1aisie, aftcrward, you
know, you will have to come to town
and have a house of your own and all
that sort Of thing. 1t is necessary for
you to see something Of the world to
prepare you for"
"Afterward isn't now, Cousin Agnes
And I am doing my best. as papa
wished" said the girl weariedly. DO
let us talk Of something else. Really,
sometimes l do wish l were any one
but myself
"Maisie," said her cousin, reproacll-
fully, you know, dear, that isn't
right. You must take the cares and
responsibilities of position like yours
along with the advantages and privi-
leges of it,"
II know" Miss Fforde replied, meek
ly enough; but, Cousin Agnes, do tell
me who was that very funny looking
l n1I Nlyft1, A,,ee, Il II