Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1894-05-31

AANAA SVNSAAAs ASASANkN SSSAN sAAS SsApAN1sS
ton quite imperturbably.
II shouldn't much mind even |. s
were true" he had the courage to say
when you're very fond II a girl, tbs
thing Is to get her. Aud we've all c,'n
ceited enough to think we can prove =,
her afterward that she's made a 500
choice"
1t came with shock upon thes~ Wy,
people when, the door-bell havipA riih,
without their noticing 1t. two SiSisy8ss
came in to interrupt their tete-a:tet.
They were Mr.. William, Bennington and
Algy Hurst The sight Of them recalled
to AIinna all the misery and mystery o:
the past fortnight. all her wOnderiK.c
fears as to what Dukes return would
bring forth. For Mr.. BerringtOn's fac.
was full of hard determination as w.
| as curiosity. He had, in truth. know
ing that Duke was expected to return
home on this day. come on purpose to
prevent his nephew from getting into
the cellar alone before him.
Algy Hurst appeared not quite so
much at ease as usual: while, ON the
other hand. Leonard Harvey care for
ward to shake hands with him with
quite unaccustomed warmth and h.arti-
ness. Both men looked at each other
as il anxious to know what brought the
other there. 1t was Mr.. Reril gton
who started the inevitable eXplAnati tons.
| I've brought Algernon with me to-
day." he said presently. lin order to
| Introduce to you what l may call AN
old friend with new face Here is
my future son-in-law."
l. Icy looked very uncOmfort tble but
Leonard was radiant. Nlinna. too,
laughed quite brilliantly and easily.
Its epidemic" sand Leonard, with
an eXulting glance at his late f:val:
'Minna is going to marry me-"
1t was with great relief that all the
younger members of the party present
ly heard the carriage-wheels outside.
As for Mr.. Bennington, who ,'ad been
restless with excitement and eXpecta-
ton for the last half hour, he could
contain his Impotence no longer. He
rushed out into the hall to meet his
nephew
Duke. who looked ill and weak. was
getting out of the carriage, assisted OIL
one side by 4 servant and on the other
by his wife, who looked far paIer and
more Worn than he. At the sight of oit4
Mr.. Bennington, indeed. Cicely's courage
and strength seemed to give way to-
sethcr She just managed to totter into
the drawing-room by her husbands
side; and then, with the help of Minna
who saw that she was at tho end of
her powers of endurance. she left the
room in time to avoid distressing Duke
and ministered to her quietly and kind
ly, bathing her temples and letting in
the soft summer air upon her without
one word.
But Ciccly recovered herself after 4
few minutes with great shock.
Go down. she whispered hoarsely
land see what that man has come for
Don't let him tease Duke. Tell him to
keep his questions-he is sure to ask
OnS-till-I-cOme."
Her voice died away family; she was
worn out. AIinna assured her that she
would carry out her wishes faithfully.
and ran down stairs. full of un. .peaE;l-
bic terror. Something horrible, for
Duke, for all of them. was going to
happen, something to be brought en-
by Mr.. William Berrington's visit. The
lock exchanged by uncle and neI hew
on their meeting would have told her
this, even without Cicalys anxious
words. She reached the druwing-room
just too late; Mr.. Remington had not
failed to take advantage OF Ciccly's
absence; and!! after wasting very little
time in preliminary speeches. he had
come to the point just as the girl en-
tered the room.
"By-the-by, Marmadule," he was
saying, trying to speak carelessly. but
betraying his excitement both in look
and tone; "Algernon tells me Of IL Won
derful discovery you made in your
wine-ce]lar little while ago, Of a hid
den bin of choice wine. l propose that
in honor of your return you should take
us down there and let me choose q
bottle to drink your health on your re-
turn home.'
Duke started, flushed deeply and HEST
tated. Mr.. Bennington insisted. with
rising excitement. The three onlook-
ers- watched and listened with painful
interest; Minna with chill of terror.
Dukes manifest reluctance was so
great as to fill her with alarm, which
grew suddenly more definite upon her
uncle's next words.
Come" said he, trying in vain to
assume Il jocular tone, IF you wont
let us see into this wonderful cellar, we
shall think you have something there
which you want to hide"
Duke was standing in the middle of
the room with a dazad expression on
his face, which he had worn from the
first moment that this expedition was
proposed. Now, he stood without an
swering; and when his uncle thrust his
arm through his TO lead him toward the
door, he seemed too stupefied to offer
any resistance. Minna. however, white
faced, trembling, sprlng before the
door and barred the way
HE must Lot go downstairs, uncle.
He would catch a chill. Remember, he
| is not yet strong"
But Mr.. Bennington brushed her out
OF the way, as IL she had been a fly.
Opposition to his stubborn, patient will
was altogether useless Still holding
Dukes arm. he merely said to the girl:
go and fetch the cellar key"
II can't. Cicely has it, / cannot dis
turb her." painted Minna while the two
young men stood in the background,
watching and listening with ever-in-
creasins awkwardncss, bewilderment
and fear.