Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1895-04-04

had suddenly been Ovepowere by the
heat in the ball room.
An Mrs. Chesterton gave her salts to
the master of the ceremonies, who
employed them for the recovery of the
still fainting lady.
And then, turning towards Viscounl
Dareleigh, the widow said. with re-
markable amiability, ''My presence is
indispensable; you will, am certain,
he good enough to conduct me to the
ballroom
And taking the viscount's unoffered
arm, she quilted the room with him.
And, as they proceeded:
II will be generous, and leave you
! this night for reflection, and shall ex-
7 pect you tomorrow, at nOOn."
The viscount felt greatly relieved.
Against the morrow he had, In a mo-
| ment, determined to be well prepared.
As the two quilted the room the
fainting lady revived and cast her eyes
fearfully around.
While Mrs. Chesterton was so bold
ly dealing with her former lover and
| associate in crime, a skillfully-con-
trived plot was in progress against
herself, which was to render abOrt1ve
all her daring efforts.
The person of whom, awhile since,
we spoke. as watching and listening
to Eugenia, when she had so suddenly
and unexpectedly to him, been en-
countered by Viscount Dareleigh, was
Mrs. Chesterton's master of the cere
monies for that evening; and that
master Of ceremonies, himself, was no
other than Noel Darlington.
Having discovered Mrs. Chestertons
residence, Noel set about considering
how it would be necessary that he
| should next proceed.
1t so happened that the shop of 4
| music publisher of his acquaintance
| was in the neighborhood of the lady's
house; and thither, on the morning
following the evening on which he had
| taken the liberty to seat himself be-
hind Mrs. Chesterton's carriage, Bar
rington wendell his way.
And once there, lost no time In COM
ing to the purpose Of his visit
DO you happen to know anything of
q Mrs. Chesterton, who has lately
taken up her abode in this neighbor-
hood?' Noel inquired of his friend.
And that gentleman replied that he
knew the lady very well; that she had
music for her daughter, by whom She
had generally been accompanied.
"She has daughter" Noel exclaim-
ed.
And that daughter, he was told. was
| very pretty and very charming girl.
harrington felt then a pang at his
heart: but he must do his duty; must
not think of Mrs. Chesterton'e child.
l,11f no f,,s
poor, martyred Arnold Lindsay.
Are you in any way interested con-
corning Mrs. Chesterton!' asked Noels
| friend.
And Darlington confessed that he
| was.
"What a pity. then," said the other.
THAT you did not arrive five minutes
| earlier, you would have seen. her"
"She was herey' Noel eXcitedly ex-
claimed.
| And then was told that Mrs. Chester
ton had been there to say that she was
about to have a SOiree. AID to ask ihlt
Barrington's friend would furnish her
with a list of persons whom she might
with safety invite, and who would not
| scruple to accept her invitations.
Almost stranger in London, she
had said she felt DESTROYS to extend her
| circle of acquaintance.
She had, too, instructed Barringtons
friend to engage for her an efficient
band OF music and to provide her with
a master of the ceremonies, who was
to be at the house as soon as possible,
since it would be his task to write the
invitations.
Noel thought IL moment and then
said: "You cannot yet have engaged
this master Of the cereinoHies?'
no" was the reply; but 1 have
mentioned to Mrs. Chestcrton the best
man know, Mr.. Howard to whom
1 must send.'
"You must do nothing of the kind"
said Noel, earnestly; but must on
this occasion suffer me to become a
master Of the ceremonies
His friend laughed and said that
void be a good joke; and harrington
| assured him that no jest was intended
and that it was perfectly serious
proposition.
And then the other grew serious,
too, and asked what was the mystery
Of all that.
Il cannot tell you that" replied
Noel; "but you will believe that l
have no evil purpose in view"
And ultimately it was arranged that
Noel should pass with Mrs. Chestertop
for the Mr.. Howard WHO had been
named to her; and to whom Darlington
would gladly pay far more than the
sum which would be received from
her
Installed in Mrs. Ches,crtcn's mouse,
md sending forth all lhe invitations,
harrington took care that one Of them
should reach Emmeline Lindsay, to
whom he wrote also necessary in
structions.
| What those instructions were there
is no need we should relate, since
they will be understood in their full
lilTent.
Amongst the early arrivals on the
evening of the grand party was a
young and beautiful woman, who was
announced as Lady Greenland.
Az she entered an ante-chamber she
was met by Mrs. ChestcrtOn and her
,maSer Of the ceremonies.
The ladies exchanged courtesies and
the hostess swept forward toward the
principal room.
And Lady Greenland gazed eagerly