Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1894-08-23
DesDard froJned,

you see didn't want to seem interest
ed on the subject It's only just lately,
since I 'came here in fact, that I've
really owned it to myself" and his face
flushed. Il went yachting and fishing to
put it out Of my head but-it's been no
use-I won't laugh ut all that sort of
thing again as l have done. l can tell
YOU"
He's very much in earnest" thought
Mrs. Selby.
"What-you don't mind telling mo
what is her name?" she asked.
"Ford-AIiss Ford. l fancy her first
name is Mary. There's pct name
they call hcr by" but he did not tell it..
Mary Fold-that does not sound
aristocratic." muscd Mrs. Sel5y. "Dcs-
parl. toll me-EIrs. Engiewood is really
fond Of you. Do you think she Knows
ANYTHING against the girl. or her faln-
lily. or anything like that. and that she
was afraid of it for you:'
"Oh. dear no. Quite the contrary.
Mai-Aliss Ford is a great Pet Of hers.
Gertrude was angry with me for not
being civil to her." and he laughed.
Not being civil to her, she repeated.
And you were falling in love With her?
How do you mean?"
THAT was aftarwaru. I was hrutally
Uncivil 10 her at first. That's how it
began somehow he said Giscon-
nectedly.
Mrs. Selby felt utterly perplexed.
WAS he being taken in by Il designing
girl? 1t all sounded very inconsistent.
"Despard." she said after Il little 81
loncc, shall l try to find out all about
not refuse any information if it was
for your sake"
He considered @g
better
And" she went on. IF all is salts
factory"
"Wel?'
You will go through with it,"
'I-suppose so. Altogether satisfact-
ory it can't be. I'm fairly well off
ent matter. And-Maddie-I should
hate poverty.
"You would have no need to call it
poverty she said rather coldly.
''Well-well-Im speaking COMPARE
lively of course" he replied impatient
ly. 1T would be what I call poverty.
And 1 am selfish, know The best of
me won't come out under those circunl-
stances. I've no right to marry, you
see-that's what's been tormenting
me-
But if she likes to face it-would
not that bring out the best of you?"
said Mrs. SrIby hopefully. though in
her heart rather shocked by his way
of speaking.
Per!aps-I can't say. But of
course. il she did"
'And you are sure she would:" asked
Madeline, suddenly awakening to the
fact that Miss Ford's feelings in the
matter had been left entirely out of
the question
Despard smiled
DO you mean am I sure she cares
for me?' ne said. ooh, yes-as for
that
81 don't like girl who-who lets it
be seen if she cares for a man." she
said
Mr.. Norreys turned upon her.
Lets it be seem he repeated an
grily. 'Maddie. you put things very
disagrceably. Would I-tcll me, is it
likely that 1 would take to girl so ut
terly devoid Of delicacy as your words
sound? And is it SO improbable that
girl would care for me?' He smiled
in spite of himself, and Mrs Selby's
answering smile as she murmurcd: 81
Gid not mean that, you know" helped
to smooth him down. "She did her
best to make me think she dctested
me-, he added. But
"Ah. YES, but said his sister fond
~. Then it is settled, Despard." she
went On. Il shall tackle Mrs. Engle-
wood in my own way You can trust
me. You don't know where Miss Ford
is at PRESENT. she added.
He shook his head despondently.
Not the ghost Of an idea. I didn't
try to hear. 1 thought didn't want
to know, you see. But Maddie,' he
added. half tinidly, you'll write at
once?"
'As, soon as 1 possibly can," she re-
piled kindly, for glancing at him she
saw that he looked really ill and worn.
And" she went on "as my reward,
you will go with me to the Densters'
garden party this afternoon. Charles
can't, and l hate going alone. l don't
know them-it is their first year here,
though everybody says they are very
nice people,"
"Oh, dear" said Despard. every
well, Maddie l suppose l must
Then be ready 1T quarter to four.
IN drive you i'll the pony carriage"
and Madeline disappeared through the
glass door whence she had emerged.
Il wonder if she will write to-day"
thought Mr.. Norreys. though he would
have been ashamed to ask it. 81 should
like to know it's done-a sort Of cross
ing the Rubicon. And it's good while
now since that last day saw her. She
was never quite so sweet as that day.
Surprising l heard she was married?"
His heart seemed to stop beating at
the thought, and he grew white, though
there was no one to see But he re;ls-
sllred himself. Few things were less
likely. Portionless girls, however
charming, don't marry SO quick now
adays
Madeline's feelings were mingled.
She was honestly and unselfishly glad
of what she believed might be real
turning point toward good for Des-
Nlrd. Yet-"if only he had not chosen
q 9rl quite SO denuled Of worldly ad-
yahtages as she evidently isl she re-
dected. "For, Of course if she had