Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-08-26

and the look not IT all, r"u"S"
her fiat Ernest had not called. nul
that If he should. he would get hes
letter. So She thanked the StSre'arI'
and was driven back to Craven street
It was too late. that day. 10 WISH w.
banks; hut She got list OF lhr.u
and stared blankly ut the long NlnhnS
IF names. wondering how long II Wou"
take her to inquire ut them ALL
The following day she began lhe
wo,rv niirrimare, commencing ut
Chnring Cross aud working citywaruS.
She thus had to call at 4 great many
banks before she at length entered 'ne
London and Westminster. There she
CHANGED to address her inquiries 10
the cnsheier who had acted rs SoMer-
ville's guide. .,,,
"NIr. Ernest Norton? he sail. ION.
yes, miss. He called here the other
day-upon the 18th. We expect an
other visit from him shortly. but he
left no address"
Zana uttered little cry OF glad sur.
prise. At last she had discovered
traces of her lover. True. four days
had elapsed since he had visited this
bank; but it was much to know that
he had been there. and that he was
expected to return shortly. The cash
Ter looked ut her c,lriously. admlrirS-
ly. Who might she be. this dark-eyet'.
olive-skinned beauty. who was inQ'ur-
ing so eagerly for Mr.. Ernest Norton:
The affair savored Of romance. and the
cashier apart from his Official work.
was of Il rather romantic disposition.
IF there is anything l can do for
/ Il "a pf 4.
livering a message or Il letter to Mr..
| Norton?''
ooh, yes, if you please" said Zana.
eagerly. And she there and then
wrote a few lines upon slip OF bank
paper, which she inclosed. together
with her address, in an envelope sup
piled by the obliging cashier. She felt
strongly tempted to loiter about. in
the hope that Ernest might revisit
the bank that day; but the hustle
around scared her; an idle person
seemed uttrely out of place in so busy
a scene; and she retraced her steps to
the Strand. Then she wrote to Mrs.
Baxter, telling her Of her want Of
success, so far, but full Of confidence
In the speedy realization of her mis-
sion.
Three more weary days elapsed. and
each day she called at the bank. only
to meet with fresh disappointment.
Her former superstitious fears now
returned in full force. and she could
scarcely resist the conviction that Ern-
est must, in very sooth, be dead. With
feverish anxiety she scanned the news
papers, dreading, yet expecting. to find
confirmation of her worst fears: but
they were silent as to her missing
lovers fate. Certain advertisements.
however. caught her eye. and suggest
ed fresh means of pursuing her inqui-
ries. Other persons had missing
friends. also. and advertised for them
She would do the same. Moreover
she found that there were private in
quiry offices specially devoted to such
Investigations. She copied down tie
address of one such office, in Exeter
street, and called there.
She was received by stout. middle
aged man. who, upon learning the na-
ture Of her business, professed himself
absolutely sure of tracing Ernest Nor
ton.
make your mind quite easy, miss. .
he said, reassuringly. "Such cases
come in my way every day, and 1
scarcely know what failure means.
Just oblige me with such details as you
can Of the gentleman's last movements.
together with description Of his per-
sonal appearance. You don't happen
to have a photograph of him, do you:'
"No," answered Zana; 'butI can de-
scribe him accurately" This she ac-
cordingly did, and the stout man (wlo
informed her that his name was Josiah
Skinner) was soon in possession of all
she knew concerning Norton's move
ments.
mo cause whatever for anxiety" he
remarked, glancing through his notes.
called on his bankers upon the 7th
inst, and is expected to call again
shortly. OF course he will. as soon as
he needs more money. Meanwhile he
has taken a trip to Brighton. or to
Paris. perhaps. It is really scarcely
worth while placing so simple a case
in my hands, though. Of course l shall
do my best to discover the gentle
mans present Whereabouts. My fee
Well, suppose we say five pounds to
go on with?'
Here are fifty pounds said Zana.
placing bank note Of that amount in
his hand. Find Ernest Norton. and
you shall have ten times as much.''
The agent glanced at the note and
then at her. The former was obvious
ly good one, and she, just as obvi-
ously. was in downright earnest. Such
client did not visit Exeter street
every day.
VERY well, miss" he remarked, after
pause. 'Ill take this money and
push the inquiries as quickly as posi-
bic. An advertisement in the agony
column of couple Of the dailies might
not be amiss, as Il start"
do what you please was the re-
ply. Spare no expense, but-tind Ern-
est Norton
There was a ring of piteous appeal
in the words, and tire was a look OF
entreaty in the dark, beautiful ewes
that somehow stirred Josiah Skinner
to Il degree unusual with him.
I'll do my best, miss" he said, in
the quiet, confident tones of a man
who knew his business, land, as | al
ready told you, rarely fail. In the
present case, I regard failure as i'm
DOSSihla Tho tGpOrro Hotol, co,,.L