Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-06-03

!; /; !: !
n frosty night toward
~ N the middle of
NGMINM/{H March. The moon
), tsS~NIX had risen an hour
N9k-AIH60 ago. and hung like
MESS2IE round mirror of
tktS3@ - FURNISHED silver
~N&xES close above the
GSAXA) glittering stream
N6 of Thames, as he
20 IN swept broadening
~ down to West
minister Bridge The Abbey towers rose
sharply into the clear air, and caught
the moonlight full upon their heads. out
beneath them, or the farther side, lay
a wide region of silent and mysterious
shadow. In the shadow paced the figure
of man. BY the slow and monotonous
regularity Of his footballs as he passed
backward and forward you might nave
taken him for sentinel on guard. But
to closer look, the long, high-coliareo
coat, the quaint and ample outline OF
his hat, and certain balance In MS
step betrayed the seafaring man, ana
gave hint of his rank His figure ana
the easy swing of his movements pro-
claim him strong, but the obscurlty con-
cealed all other characteristics.
Up and down, up and down, he paced;
always the same measured step. al
ways the same distance to yard. Moth
ing about him spoke of impatience, and
yet he was evidently expecting some
one or something; for each time that
his beat ended at the angle of the north
ern tower he stopped, and looked nrst
to the right across the deserted square
up to the entrance of Whitehall. and
then to the left, where. on the edge OF
st James Park, the lights of Glamor-
gan House shone through few gaunt
and lea1ess trees.
For this was in 1921, and in 1921 Gla-
morgan House was still standing. Ana
tonight it was especially in evidence,
for the open gates and the unwonted
illumination Of the garden court showed
plainly that some festivity was in prep
aration within.
Minute after minute passed, till sud-
denly from overhead came the deep
sound of the clock striking the half
hour. At the same instant carriage
rolled into the square. The watcher had
Just turned his back, and was retreat
ing for the fiftieth time toward the
doorway Of the Abbey, when the vibra-
ton of the chimes ceased, and the sound
of the approaching hoofs and wheels
fell upon his ear. In a moment he was
back at the corner Of the building,
where he stood motionless, with his
head thrown forward like dog strain
ing in the leash.
The carriage passed close before him.
wheeled of to the right, and disap-
peared into the court of Glamorgan
House. He made quick step forward
as If to follow, but checked himself.
and stood for a moment irresolute.
While he was hesitating, party Of
ladies muff1ed . in opera cloaks and
shawls, and attended by several gentle
men, crossed the road from the en-
trance Of Deans Yard. and took the
same direction as the carriage. The fig
ure in the shadow hesitated no longer.
but followed in their wake with long,
reso1ute strides. He came up with long,
as they reached the portico, and passed
into the cloak room with the gentlemen
of the party. There coat and hat were
laid aside, and he stood revealed as an
officer of the kings navy, wearing a
captains epaulettes upon very stall
warr pair Of shoulders.
AS he entered Lord Glamorgan-a
tall, old man with bushy eyebrows and
jovial red face-stepped in front and
shook him warmly by the hand. Then
putting a big hand upon his shoulder
with a fatherly air, he wheeled him for
ward, and himself turned to face his
wife. my DEAR he said, with half
bow, Il present to you Capt. Richard
Estcourt of his majesty's ship -.
Well, well! Dick, which shall it be. eh?"
His lordship had been a lord Of the
admiralty in the last ministry, and
though now for some time out Of Office.
he retained perhaps exaggerated idea
of his own influence in naval affairs.
Lady Glamorgan received the young
man with all the graciousness for which
she was deservedly popular. "Capt.
Estcourt," she said, lis slower to 1ol-
low an advantage on shore than at sea;
his reputation had been here long be-
fore him"
Estcourt flushed II have been four
years on the Indian stations he said.
'and three before that in America"
Since he had been almost the first in
the room, it seemed impossible that he
should miss the person for whom he
was waiting; but when the stream of
incorers had apparently ceased, and
Lady Glamorgan found time to leave
4
eye fell on him at once, still on guard
in his solitary corner. She came toward
him Immediately, bent on the hostess
congenial duty of introduction.
Capt Estcourt," she said, you are
positively not dancing! A sailor too.
and at sea lords ball!
pray do not trouble about me. Lady
4 Glamorgan," he replied: II am in no
hurry to begin"
mo, nor. she said, II must find you
some pretty craft at once; have good
patronage to bestow just now. and you
i may choose between strong ally OF
a rich convoy. both making their frs,
voyage"
His grave eyes lit up with smile ir
+ answer to her playful tone. New
ships" he said. "are never lucky; IG
rather have one taken from the en-
envy"
There was an undertone Of unex
press I'd meaning in tho words: she
eau. It. and Looked at him with kind
1y interest.
III you are waiting for some one.