Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-07-15
Ey HEMRr NEWB0LZ

received and read the letter. Surely
by this he had got over his disappoint-
ment, If he had really had any such
feeling. Now was the oportune mo-
ment for a visit. In the morning there
would be the chance of going too early
to see Camilla, or too late to find her
in. Tonight she was certain to be
at home. This last reflection decided
Dick. He left his rooms again. and
walked quickly to Bedford Square. He
reached the doorstep flushed and
GREATNESS. and rang the pell. It was
exactly half an hour, to the minute
since he had turned away to go home
after seeing the shadow on the blind.
The servant appeared.
rs Madame de Mon:ant at homer"
asked Dick. stepping forward to enter
as he spoke.
mot at home, sir"
Colonel de Montaut: then?' said
Dick
mot at home. SIR" repeated the man.
In the same formal tone.
Thank you. I'll call tomorrow"
| stammered Dick. in utter astonishment.
and he turned mechanically away.
The footman nodded after him. and
grinned maliciousiy. Then he closed
the door and went to report to his mas
ter. NJ. de Montaut took out his watch.
Every good" he said; don't forget
again tomorrow" And then. as the
man left the room. the colonel, too,
smiled with secret satisfaction.
MY poor friend" he murmured,
gently; my poor young friend does not
know Captain Estcourt as we'll as do
He says Tomorrow say, in half an
hour and here he Is again in twenty
nine minutes!
He rose and went to the table. took
up his haH-empty glass and raised it
to the light.
LAS for rebuff or two at the door"
he continued. with the same noiseless
laugh, my poor young friend must not
mind that. We shall all meet again
before long! Au revoir done" And he
tossed off the wine and went upstairs.
That night Dick slept uneasily, and 1t
was late in the morning when he awoke.
| However, by half-past ten he was again
IN Bedford Square. and rang the bell
| with an outward appearance of calm
ness, though his heart was beating fast
within.
| The same footman came to the door.
| lis Madame de Montaut in?" Dick
asked.
mot at home, sir"
| HAS she gone out this morning al
ready?"
| Madame de I1ontaut is not at home,
sir" repeated the man, in the same in
variable formula.
Dick thought he detected imperti-
hence in his voice. and flushed indig-
nantly.
What do you mean?" he said.
Those are my orders. SIR"
did you tell Madame de Montaut
that was intending to call upon her?"
Dick asked this in still more peremp-
| tory tone.
Certainly. SIR"
"Well, and what did she say?'
| "She said that she was not at home"
mot at home to me?" said Dick
choking with rage at the mans grow
ing insolence of manner.
Particularly not at home to you,"
replied the footman, calmly closing the
door in his face.
Dick stood for moment petriied
with anger and dismay; then with an
effort he reused himself and walked
steadily away, but with terrible pain
gripping at his heart the while. Not
that he could yet believe any serious
harm to have been done; his reason told
him that Camilla was merely mistaken,
and that 1t still needed but few words
from him to change her disappointment
into sympathy; but his feelings were
sharply hurt, and would not let him
hear the voice Of reason without inter.
ruption.
To the colonel. as distinguished from
her, he did not give thought. If he
had done so, he would hardly have
treated him with the same leniency;
for he had been unable, from the first
moment, to think 1t possible for him to
be genuinely mistaken as to the duty
of an English officer. A woman might
be excused for not thinking Of such con-
siderations, but to man, and especi-
ally to soldier. they should have ap-
pealed at once, and with unanswer-
able force.
He decided that he must see Camilla
at once. He would write note beg
ging for an interview, insist on its be-
ing delivered to her while he waited,
and, II absolutely necessary, make his
way to her presence In defiance of this
insolent servant. In twenty minutes
after coming ITO this resolution he ap-
peared for the third time upon the door
step Of the house in Bedford Square,
with the note in his hand, and look
of determination upon his face. This
time the door was open, and some men
were carrying out heavy packages to
a wagon that stood before the house;
the cook was standing by. with arms
akimbo. experimenting the work. She
was a stout person with red. good
humored face, and she looked upon Dick
with an eye Of kindly commiseration.
for she had heard in the servants hall
Of his present turn of ill-fortune, and
thought her mistress unaccountably
hard upon SO handsome and pleasant
spoken a gentleman.
So she came out to the door, and bade
him good afternoon with an anable
SMILE
III you're looking for madame or the
colonel, SIR she said. I'm afraid
you've come too late"
Dicks heart stood still. "Too late?'
he said, In faltering voice.
Yes, sir; I'm afraid so. They've been
gone more than an hour"
"Gone?" he echoed. Where have
they gomez"