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

Martha Baxter Speaks Her Mind.
Mrs. Baxter had confidently predict
ed that Zana would receive tidings of
her absent lover upon the day follow
ing his departure. And when that day
passed in dreary silence, she as stoutly
maintained that he would assuredly
return with the license within the two
days fixed by himself. But when the
third day had passed she found herself
well-nigh at the end Of her consolatory
explanations, and confessed, even to
Zana, that matters were beginning to
look serious.
Not that l see any great reason to
worry as yet. my DEAR" she fastened
to explain, because, after all, there
may be some delay over that special
license. or what not. Still, l do say as
how Mr.. Norton ought to have sent
you word. l call it right-down mean
of him. And a mean man is capable
of anything-down to leaving his
sweetheart in the lurch."
How dare you say such a thing
about my Ernest?" flashed out Zana.
II tell you he is the noblest of men,"
There there: Don't fly out at me
like that! demonstrated Mrs Baxter.
Al girls think their lovers perfection
until they ind them out. I'm sure I
thought my Sam model of a man
until after we was married, and then
l soon discovered he was just like the
rest. But Gee you here, my dear, Mr..
Norton F:sced you in my charge, and l
feel l have duty to perform toward
you. as we'll as to myself. Now, what
l don't understand is how you and he
came to meet here in this hotel. I
don't ask not from any vulgar curios-
ity, but 1t seems to me I could advise
you better if l knew something of
what went before"
81 will tell you," said Zana after a
short cause. why should 1 not?
The:a l.; q place called Korandah in
Bombay. and my father is the rajah of
Koru 1,l:.h."
What is u rajal?' queried Mrs.
Baxter.
IN English you would call him a
prince"
''Lcr':' exclaimed the landlady, be-
coming vastly interested. "Then you
were a princess III those parts:'
"Yes," assented Zana simply. my
mother, l must tell you, was English,
and that Is how came 10 know your
language SO well. She died two years
ago; my father, out OF respect perhaps
to her memory, grew to be very par
tial to having English people around
him. Amongst the rest was Ernest.
who was engaged in mining operations
not far from Korandah, and soon be-
came very fond of him. He was so
different, thought, from the conceited
officers and civilians who formed the
greater portion Of my fathers guests;
and, more than ALL he made no secret
of his low. for me-
did ycar father approve of his
suit:' asked Mrs. Baxter.
Il know not" was the reply; II am
not sure that he was even aware of it:
but he was always most indulgent to
me and would not have interfered to
mar my happiness, believe, had Ern-
est asked for Inc in marriage"
Tim! Perhaps not" remarked the
landlady doubtfully, though l have
heard OF fathers objecting to their
daughters marrying beneath them. But
what Gid Mr.. Norton dog"
'Hc disappeared quite suddenly"
said zana, her bosom heaving as she
spoke, leaving me a long letter ex-
planning his abrupt departure"
! "Ah" cried Mrs. Baxter. drawing n
deep breath. "Then, in plain English,
he made a bolt of it! And, Of course,
he tried to explain away his shabby
behavior by writing you a parcel Of
nonsense! My dear, begin to see day
light quite clearly now. But tell me
first what he said in his letter."
Il have it STILL" sighed Zana, "but l
cannot let you read 1t, because it was
meant for my eyes alone. But the rea-
son for his going I can tell you in a
rev words. Seeing no hope Of our
union upon the grounds Of caste), he
had come to the conclusion that lie
would best consult my happiness by
leaving me and returning at once to
England"
Caste" interrupted Mrs. Baxter
What on earth is caste?"
ut is hard to explain clearly" was
the reply, but it chiefly concerns diff
terence OF race and religion"