Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-01-14
believed in ncnnle being possessed,

alf-frenzicd girl to be the medium
and agent Of some tremendous spirit
acting through her. But whether she
be mad, sane or inspired, will do
what l promised. IL it afford one
chance in II million Of saving Eudora.
Oh, Eudora! Eudora! as the drowning
catch at Straws. l catch at this mac
girls unknown scheme to save your
He took ND his hat and went out to
walk to the prison.
He was Immediately shown to the
cell, where he found Eudora. as on the
preceding day, reclining on the ont
side of the bed. Her little dog was
coiled up contcntcdly by her side. Mrs.
Barton was on guard. AS Malcolm APP
preached and took the little wasted
hand She held out to him he saw she
was perccptibly paler, thinner and
fecbler than on the day before.
This increasing weakness was evil
deaf not only i'll the cmaciation Of her
face and form. hut in the faint tones
of her voice and the slow motions of
her hands. AS he noticed this, the
heart of Montrose sank within him.
And yet" he thought, "why should
I grieve for her waning life? 1t is
better. far better, that she should sink
gently into death here-even here In
her prison cell. where her soul might
depart in peace and privacy-than live
to be dragged forth. Oh, God! oh,
God!'
He groaned and buried his face in
his hands. as if to shut out the image
that rose before his minds eye.
Eudora looked up at him uneasily,
and With quick sympathy caught his
mental vision. She could not have
been paler than She had been before.
But now her very Inns blanched and
Quivered, and a spasm seized her
throat and choked her utterance. This
passed in a moment. and then she put
up her hand and gently removed those
of Malcolm, and looked in his face.
That face was convulsed with an
guish; but with a mighty effort. he
crushed down his emotions, seated
himself by her side, took her hand,
and held it in silence, as was often
now his custom.
For Il few moments neither trusted
themselves to speak, but at length
Eudora broke the silence by inquiring:
do you know why Amelia has not
been here these two days.?
1.-The officers of justice believe that
her visits disturb you, DEAR" answered
Malcolm, gently.
"Ah. thought they would interdict
her visits. poor child! She is so rash
in her zeal for me. Do you know.
Malcolm. that she even tried to bride
Mrs Barton here to let her change
clothes with me. so that might escape
in hers? Did she tell you:'
no. she never told me that; but l
know she would run any risk on earth
for you. dearest. and so am not sur
prised to hear it,
II wonder if the attempt came to the
ears of the officers. and if that was
the reason why they stopped her
visits:'
mo, MisS-oh, no. because there was
nobody to tell but me, and l never
dropped hint of it," Mrs. Barton
FASTENED to say.
mo, that was not the reason. dear
Eudora; it was because she was con-
sidered too young and fiighty to do
you any real good by her visits. which
it was also feared might disturb YOU"
said Malcolm.
And shall see her no more:'
"Oh, yes; she called at my lodgings
this morning to tell me why she has
not been to see you these two days,
and to send you her love, with the as
surance that she would come on Tues
day, having the sheriff's promise of
permission to do So"
Eudora shivered, for she remembered
that Tuesday was the last day of her
allotted life, and knew that Annella's
next visit would be also her last one.
The hour Of grace sped quickly away.
and Malcolm arose to go. He stopped
and pressed his farewell kiss upon
Eudor;l's brow. He dared not trust
himself to speak; he was thinking
how swiftly the sands Of her life were
running out. But one more quiet visit,
and then-the dreadful parting inter
view on Tuesday highland then, I'M
less the unknown scheme Of Amelia
should succeed-as he did not dare to
hope-death for Eudora and endless
despair for himself! So he pressed
his parting kiss in silence on her brow,
and turned away.
Mrs. Barton happened to be relieved
of her guard by the entrance of the
other warder, and she left the cell at
the same moment with Mr.. Montrose.
Malcolm beckoned her to his side,
and as they walked down the lobby,
he said:
II wished to speak to you alone, Mrs.
Barton. to ask you about your charge.
She seems wonderfully composed for
so young a girl in so awful a position.
1 fear that it is only assumed COM
posture, for see that she is sinking
fast under her heavy misfortunes.
Now. tell me, does she not put her
self under great restraint when l am
with herr
'Well, sir, she certainl; do seem
much more composcder when you are
here nor she do at any other time. l
think, howsover, that's partly because
she do feel it to be a comfort and a
support to her like to have you along
with her; and partly because she do
try to keep down her feelings for fear
Of hurting yours. Leastways, know
she don't give way to 'em as she does
at other tines" answered Mrs. Barton,
thoughtfully.
'How is she at other times?' in
quired Mr.. Montrose. anxiously.
'Why, sir, variable, very much so
indeed; for sometimes she will be quiet
enough for hours and hours together;
and then. maybe, something will hap
pen to bring her doom afore her all on