Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1895-02-14
r t. e.
G<@WAR@d
THE AUTHOR OF
sNosalie Rathbone,' "PoOr Gcnes
vieve," &c.

of which already she mad known rot
much.
A proof that she loved Norton was
she considered, that she had consented
to afford him time to become rich
and had not sought another, and al
'eady wealthy sutton.
| Nay, more-if he could form any
scheme for becoming rich, and hel
assistance should be necessary to carry
| it into execution, she would be pr .pered
to aid him.
He need not fear to find her Ovel
scrupulolls; for anythins--eveE crime
she said, was better far than poverty
i And a few days after this declar:l
ton. Norton Sowerby, huIrying into
her presence, said:
"Eugy, our wedding day shall not be
much longer postponed, and your hus.
band shall be, not only rich, but titled
, too"
We need say no more at present re-
specting Eugenia Reckless. so will re.
turn to the shed near which we have
left Norton Sowerby.
Norton had not Immediately knocked
at the door Of the shed, because first
he had considered it necessary to con.
ccal his features beneath black mask.
That a> iuSted to his satisfaction. he
then tapned~ witt. his riding whip
, against the door.
There was no answer from within.
open, and fear mott" then called
Norton.
Still no reply.
lie threw himself against the frail
and rickety door, and in moment it
was dashed from its rusty hinges.
AS Norton strobe forward into the
shed, its tenant rushed to meet him,
brandishing Il heavy cudgel
On beholding the mask. he retreated
again terrified to Il corner of the shed.
and the formidable cudgel fell from his
hand.
Have no fear, my good fellow
laughed Norton. II am not precisely
that dark gentleman for whom you
have mistaken mol"
"Wllat do you want?" the man fear
fully stammered.
II want you"
The follow was about to snatch his
cudgcl from the floor.
Gently. gently pursued Norton; 81
do not want you, as you at present
imagine. l an no officer of the law
seeking YOU i'll consequence of that
highway robbery i'll Which you were
lately concerned"
Hush" cried the man, looking scar
ed.
"But simply Il person." continued
Norton not needing the slight interrun-
uon which had been offered, Simply
Il person who is here to ask service
t,.9yN fc,, ,;<1> L n,
orally reward YOU"
well, speak, said the inhabitant Of
the shed, somewhat mistrustfully.
First, replace that door,"
The fellow again fastened the door,
closely. If not very securely
'Now to business resumed Norton.
"You are called Nicholas Shearman."
"AEd what thcn?" queried the man,
susDicious]y.
The question passed unh2eded by the
other.
Born Of honest parents. you. long
before YOU had reached manhood, p;ov-
cd yourself q most unequalled scoun-
Observation-Disclosures died your father
and mother both, and the grave in
which they both are lying is yonder.
in Crawford churchyard"
For Il few moments Nicholas Shear
mans face was fearfully distorted, and
he trembled Ike an aspen.
But recovering himself, he growled
fiercely and lloarscly:
"And what is that to you? and why
are you come here to remind me of
that:"
II have merely wished to prove to
you that l know you we'll"
"Perhaps-but no more of that, do
you hear?-no more Of it,"
Nicholas savagcly roared, and advanc-
ing step threateningly towards Nor
ton Sowerl,y.
BE STILL" said that gentleman, quiet
ly: land let us to business"
But with whom am about to deal?"
"That you must never knew" was the
reply.
And then Norton talked. and the
other listened and nodded, and nodded,
and listened.
And when it had become clear that
they perfectly we'll understood each
other. Norton tossed a tolerably well
filled purse into Shearman's hands, and
quitting the shed. walked back to the
village i'm, called for his horse, and
rode at a smart pace back to Dare
leigh Park.