Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-07-22

0&ks loss; he had long
been preparing for
the present difficult
&&@9f35sJ situation. and now
IgGaIUN ]llLWE that he had the OPP
portunity Of dealing
with Dick and Camilla separately, he
was no longer doubtful OF the result
His last anxiety vanished with the
naughty figure now disappearing De-
meath the companion-hatch.
He linked his arm in Dicks with
friendly smile. and began to Walk MIN
slowly up and down the deck In silence.
..My friend" he said presently. my
sister-in-law and you misunderstano
each other; you are both young, and
youth Is so intolerant Of difference! l
am older, and understand you both.
am less prejudiced, and can sympathize
with each in turn. I am happy to pc
here. for have no doubt" he con.
tinued. that shall be able to effect
q speedy reconciliation" ~
'sBut what Is the matter?" cried DICK.
Fl don't understand!'
Precisely" replied the colonel; "nor
does Madame de Montaut. You do not
see why your very natural refusal to
Join our little plot should cause any one
surprise or pain. She. on the other
hand. has never thought Of the diff
Guilty Of 1t from your point Of view.
She supposed you to have accepted, and
was therefore sharply disappointed at
finding that we must do without you,
after ALL"
Eyes. yes!'' cried Dick; II know all
about the mistake. OF course you all
thought had accepted when l came
to Russell street that unlucky morning;
but how could you. how could she.
think me for moment capable of do
ing such a thing? That's what hurts
me-"
My dear Estcourt," answered the coll
onel, with a depcecasory smile, you
mustn't be too hard on Us. confess
ought to have known better; but was
hard put to it. AS for Madame de
Montaut, she never understood the
question. fear the line took may
have been the cause. for she trusts me
perhaps more implicitly than she ought
to do" and the colonel sl,o:k his gray
head with a very becoming Ei5Gesty.
'And then you must remember" he
continued. ''that she knew you were
friendly with Lord Glamorgan and 9TH
er members Of the opposition who pro-
Tess to desire nothing 80 much as the
Emperor's liberation. I suppose their
speeches are but counsels Of perfection,
and not intended to be taken literally,
but that is one Of the things we in
France can never understand about you
English. We are the slaves of logic,
and cannot comprehend how a man can
preach gravely what he would think It.
wrong for himself or any one else to
put into practice"
Dick was vanquished; and indeed he
wished no better fate. He was lost In
a foretaste Of the delightful days to
come. and was only brought to himself
by the sudden recollection that they
lowing himself to reckon. He turned
round upon the colonel.
''Why must you leave us so soon?"
he asked abruptly.
The colonel was staggered for mo-
ment
$50 soon!' he said: 80 soon az
what?"
''The captain said you were only GO
ing as far as Ascension
''Ah, yes!" said the colonel, recover
ing himself; Ascension. Yes. that's
all"
"Y,u can't be meaning to stay on
such & axse-t island" said Dick. a-trem-
BILE with hope. II suppose we can wait
while you do y,ur business there. ana
take you on to the Cape afterward7'
Thank you," replied the colonel. CIV
ing him meaning look: "but we can
not afford to 60 quite so far as the
Cape, though I confess to you in con-
hdence that we do not intend to stay
longer than we can help at Ascension"
Dick reflected. and in a moment or
two he had comprehended the meaning
of this remark. About halfway in a
direct line between Ascension ana the
Cape lies the Island Of st. Helena; that
Of course wasthe De Montauts' real
destination. He understood now why
they had sailed in the Hamilton under
false names. He saw, too, that he must
abandon all hope Of prolonging the time
Of their companionship with him, for
the Speedwell could not land the con-
spirators at st. Helena without becom-
ing in some degree their accomplish.
M. de Montaut was watching him all
this time, and read his face like an
open book.
"Now then" he said. at last, II am
going down to speak to my sister-in.
law. I think you had better walt for
me up here. IL you don't mind"
Dick willingly assented. and the col
onel left him to pace the deck alone
while he went of to attempt the second
and more difficult part Of his medita-
ton.
''Ah!' he murmured to himself, as he
made his way below, 1T Is easy enough
to pursuade man Of anything, more
especially X It's not the truth; but
Camilla is unfortunately not a man.
Never mind" he added. as he knocked
at her door. "she must pursuade her
self. that's ALL" And he entered the
cabin with as meek and helpless an