Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-08-12
opening her eyes very wide. II don't

understand"
"Of course not. dearest" assented
Norton, chow should your Nor do I
see any reason for troubling your con-
science by entering into details. You
must just take my word for it that in
the ordinary course we should have to
wait three weeks and to affirm that
you are twenty-one years Of age"
"Why, am barely seventeen" cried
Zana.
"Hushr' exclaimed Norton. laugh
ingly placing his hands over his ears.
'You must not remind me Of that little
fact, or my conscience may betr,y me
at the critical moment. Now. the only
way whereby we can be married with
out delay is by obtaining a special IL
cense from the archbishop of Canter-
bury. Such license (by the exercise Of
a little diplomacy l believe can Sc.
cure within forty-eight hours ii reach
London tonight
"Then let us so to London at once"
said Zana innocently. 'They have
given me room here, but none Of my
trunks are unpacked."
Norton shook his head. mo, Zana,"
he answered, "your unprotected posi-
ton makes it incumbent upon ME to
pC 11SlAAS NNAS1UA VI NouA
In your innocence and ignorance of the
world and its verdicts you see no
harm in living for few days under
the protection of your betrothed hus-
band. Neither do l, in reality, know
ing my own heart. But the canons Of
Il wicked world must be obeyed.
must go to London alone"
"And leave me here, alone, behind?"
Queried Zana mournfully.
Eyes, darling" assented her lover,
'for n couple of days. I shall have a
talk with the landlady of this hotel
she struck me as motherly, kind sort
of wonan-and, if she comes up to my
expectations, shall leave you under
her wing until l return with the H.
cense. Failing her, shall have no
difficulty in finding you safe quarters
elsewhere in the town."
"Must it be as you say, Ernest?"
asked Zana, toying nervously with q
bracelet. ''Must you leave me i.
again?" ~
There was that in the way the words
We're spoken which caused Norton to
flush hotly. Could it be that he was
suspected of meditating a second de-
sertion Of his love?
'Zana," he exclaimed, half angrily.
'Such a question displays lamenta-
Bile want either Of tact or Of confidence
on your part. I repeat that must go
to London for this license, and that
must go alone-for your own sake"
VERY WE'LL" said Zana sitting lit
tie sob. ut is your part to command,
mine to obey"
Come. come, my little queen" re-
Joined Norton, kissing her. Don't
look so downcast over such trile.
shall be back again within forty-eight
hours or so. And now let us see what
manner of person the landlady is"
The landlady, Martha Baxter by
name, was duly summoned and she
promptly made her appearance. AS
Norton had said, she was essentially
motherly-looking woman; frank-eyed,
open-faced and plump, as we'll pre-
served matron Of forty-fve ought to
be. Yet, as she entered, her good ma
tured face wore half-vexed, half-sus-
to notice.
"NIrs. Baxter" he said, proceeding
straight to the point Il have sent for
you to beg favor at your hands with
respect to this young lady"
"Indeed, sir" replied Mrs. Baxter,
with doubtful glance at Zana.
"Pray be seated" continued Nor
ton. politely indicating an armchair.
'Well. the fact is, l am in a little bit
of fix. Without entering into details,
which are purely personal, I find it