Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1895-06-20

This testimony of tenderness. for
which he had never before given MS
father credit. was almost ovcrpower-
ing to q heart which had so long been
craving for that love which, as it now
would seem, it had never lacked.
In what way could it be in Theo-
.dore's power to be Of service to the
vfscount in the matter now in Ques-
ton the young man wondered. anxious,
as we know, for an opportunity to
prove his devotion to his father.
And terribly was that devotion
about to be tested.
"Of the noble family to whom l
owe that 1 am living STILL" resumed
the viscount, and still unobserved by
him, intently watching Theodore's
looks. "Of that family there remain
but noble widow and her daughter.
That daughter is young and lovely,
good and virtuous. is the possessor OF
an honirable name. and will be in
debted only to a husband
Theodore now returned the Wis
counts look and started and trembled.
~You have. see. understood me.'
the viscount said; and then perceiving
that Theodore was about to speak ana
not willing that he should yet have
the opportunity, fearing he was about
to demonstrate. the viscount. by a
gesture, checked the words which had
risen to the young mans lips, and then
himself Iroceeded:
81 know what you would say, Theo-
-dore," speaking now with hypocriti-
cal sadness. ooh. do not think that
have forgotten our engagements with
the Ashdown family; but it is not yet
too late to annul those engagements"
Theodore was here again about to
speak.
"And with perfect propriety." the
viscount hastily continued; land with
out inficting the slightest wound on
the pride and self-esteem of the Ash
downs. Dear Theodore" and the mis-
-erably wretched hypocrite launched
now into the pathetic, II demand, I
exact nothing; but you know now that
L have contracted a debt of honor-a
sacred debt-and that. without you, l
cannot cancel that obligation"
1t was several moments before Theo-
dore spoke IN answer to his fathers
appeal, for he was greatly excited; his
heart was almost torn asunder by the
violence of the conflicting emotions
which were assailing it..
He loved Lord Ashdown's daughter;
had seen in his union with her the
the promise Of lifelong happiness;
but he would be unworthy of his faith
er's tenderness and Of his noble con-
1idence if he could hesitate between
his love and his duty.
And so, at last, he spoke, giving Wis.,
count Dareleigh authority to cancel
entirely the protest of alliance with
the Ashdown family.
"Fear from me. father he said,
neither regret nor a return toward the
past; my name, my life. all that now
hold, I dedicate to you. Command,
dear father, 1 am ready to obey"
81 have succeeded with him far
easier than had hoped" was the Wis
counts thought. but was careful that
his face should express nothing of the
triumph he felt.
And, embracing Theodore, and as
though almost overpowered by the
young mans nobility Of soul, MUIR
INJURED in accents which he made to
;falter:
''Dear boy, how may hope properly
to thank and reward you for this devo-
ton to your fathers wishes"
The viscount was then about to en-
ter on further particulars, to plead, in
fact, that the marriage to which Theo-
dore had now consented might be
speedily accomplished, but was pre-
vented by one Of his domestics, who
came to say that lady was in the
mansion who requested to be allowed
q few words with it's master.
The viscount readily imagined who
was that lady, but nevertheless de-
,manded her name; indeed as will be
seen, he had purpose to answer in
causing it now to be pronounced.
And to the viscount's question the
servant answered that the lady's name
was ChestertOn-Mrs. ChestertOn.
And by the sound of that name The
0dore was astounded.
"She dares to present herself here!"