Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1894-05-03
CHAPTER II.
The Secret Vault.

CdAFIEH HI q ;SNst
The Secret Vault. .as MI
Cicely decided to send The dress
clothes to her husbands office in the
city by the hands of the grom. who re
turned with the message that his mas
ter would dine in town and go to the
theatre afterward, SO that she need moi
expect him home until late
Duke never allowed either of the In.
dies to sit up for him when he came
home late, so it was not until break
fast-time on the following morning
that he asked imperiousy why his
clothes had not been dispatched by tn
messenger he had sent.
He didn't wait for them, dear"
said Cicely.
Duke turned abruptly to his sister
That's your doing. know. You in
suited the poor old beggar. and in fact
drove him out of the house,
Indeed. Minna did not even SEE him,
Duke interpcsrl his wife quickly.
''Wzah Elizabeth went back into the
hail after giving me your message. he
had already gone to the front door"
And taken three spoons and 4 hut
ter-knife out of the plate basket to re-
mind him of'his dear nicces and neph-
ew when he was lonely" chimed in
Minna. demurely.
More fool Elizabeth 70 leave the
plate-basket about. Give her months
warning. Cicely: we have quite enough
IDIOTS around U.S."
Il hope you are not going to add one
more to the number by having any
thing to do with Uncle. Joe,' again
broke in the audacious Minna.
Certainly l am. intend to give the
poor devil another chance" said Duke,
magniliquently. It's just like you wo-
men to jump upon man when he's
down. -
"And when he steals spoons. But
of course if you don't object, it is no
business of mine. [ promise, if that
will please you. that when he comes
again I'll fill his pockets myself Then
he can go straight from his dear neph-
ew's to his uncle"
"Minna. how can you. use such ex-
pressionsv'
well. Cicy. dear. din't think you
would know what meant. And pray,
Duke, did your respected relative and
confidential clerk appear again at the
Office yesterdayy''
mo; he was too much hurt by his
reception here"
Cor by fall after converting the
spoons into liquid form"
Duke, having finished a hasty break
fast jumped up from his chair very
angrily. His wife glanced reproacAful-
" at Minna and solicitously at him.
In the strong morning light his face
looked haggard and worn.
Duke Bennington was below the mid
die height slightly built, with a beard
less face and curly fair hair. which
gave him a boyish appearance. and
made the carewOrn burrows look strik-
ing and homogeneous. He turned his
back upon his sister without wasting
more words upon her.
Il shant be home till late, SO l will
dine in town." he said to Cicely.
rs it account day, DEAR she asked.
Its the first day of the account" he
answered. briefly, and shadow seem
ed to fall across his face as he looked
beyond her at the lime-trees on the
lawn outside
And with a hasty kiss for his wife,
but no further word to either Of the
ladies, he left the room. Cicely FOL
lowed him to the front door, but he
was gone before she reached it. 81
On the following morning Duke made
a strong effort to appear himself again;
but his, face betrayed him still, and
once more he declared that business
would keep him late in the city. The
ladies avoided each other on that day
and on the next. which was settling-day
on the Stock Exchange. Each was op-
pressed by fears which she determined
to keep ( to herself, but which acted
upon the other by mutual sympathy.
Duke had breakfasted early by him
self, and had left for the city before
his wife and sister werA down stairs.
they were too miserable to eat, and
.be morning hours rolled on heavily.
At 4 o'clock, however, telegram came.
Cicely uttered cry of delight as she
read it, and tossed it over to her sister
IN law.
He is in better spirits" she said, or
ne would never send such q message as
that"
The telegram contained these words:
Expect me to dinner with three par
tiou]ar friends of MinDa's"
"Of course, two of them are Algy and
Leonard. But who can be the third
be?" lid Cicely.
IF he is not more ny particular
friend than Mr.. Harvey and Mr.. Hurst
1t may be any one," remarked Minna
haughtily. But she too, was relieved
by the tone Of the message. and she
drew long sigh and exchanged
glalces with the other lady.
II was afraid-he was going mad
with overwork," half whispered Cicely.
"And l." returned Minna, in q scarce
iy louder voice, thought he was going
to be ruined"
''Ruinedv' echoed Cice1y, to whom the
suggestion was as new as it was shock
ing.
Eyes. That is the sort of way those
things begin-worry, and attempts at
economy, and irritability, and then
recklessness. Oh, I know"
She was not sorry. that the blow
she had feared was happily avertsi, for
an opportunity of rousing Cicely out Of
her blindly simple belief in the immu-
liability Of fortune.
There was a little excitement about
Dukes return home that evening. CT
Ce1y's cheeks were burning. and in her