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

nave MY movements lnterfeareu
with and Will Kill Myself.
heart overtiowed; she caught the
stricken girl in her arms and wept
perhaps her grief lay too deep, per-
haps the fire Of her late outburst had
dried UP her tears.
gaging herself. II have heard. you,
and every word has been like a dag
ger in my heart. Now hear me. I
innocent of the deceit you seek to lay
at his door. I cannot tell you why. I
cannot argue the point, and I admit
that appearances, so far, are against
him. But would rather doubt the
existence Of my own soul, nay, Of the
Almighty Himself, than doubt his
honor and truth"
"That's all very we'll and, daresay,
does credit to your heart, If not to
your head, my DEAR" rejoined Mrs.
Baxter, recovering her composure in
the face Of the young girls forced
calmness; "but facts are facts, and
not to be got over Goodness knows, 1
encouraged you to hope as long as 1
could, and if you had not told me
your story might perhaps do so still;
but after what I've heard from you
l feel it would be cruel to argue
against my own convictions. AS sure
as am a living woman, Ernest Nor
ton has deliberately deserted you,
despite his mock promises to make
you his wife"
"And so sure as there is a God
above" retOrted Zana with something
of her former fire, Ernest Norton has
been debarred from keeping his PROM
Use by some cause beyond his own
control. He may have met with an
accident which has temporarily de-
priyed him Of consciousness. He may
be dead! But / would stake
twenty lives, if I had them, that, at
the present moment he is not alive,
well, and the master Of his own
actions"
There was more Of the practical than
of the poetical in Mrs. Bakers compo-
sition, and these concluding words sug-
cested an idea which had not previ-
ously ACQUIRED to her. In her profess
sional experience she had known many
cases Of gentlemen temporarily inca
pacitated from attending to business.
Does he drink:' she asked, giving
emphasis to the query by suggestive
upraising Of her little finger. II mean,
does he ever drink to excess?" she
added, seeing that Zana had not
grasped her meaning. because, you
know, gentlemen will sometimes go
upon bit Of a spree, especially after
Il long voyage"
NO was the prompt reply. II have
seen some Of the officers Of the garri-
son poisoning themselves with brandy
pawnee; but Ernest, never"
"Thcn, my dear, I can't for the life
of me, understand what yon mean"
Perhaps not" said Zana, sadly.
"You do not know him as I do. But
I have been certain, from the hour he
left me, that some evil would befall
him, and tomorrow shall return to
London to seek him.
Nonsense, child" exclaimed Mrs.
Baxter. Take an old woman's advice,
and give him up, as he has given you
up. Stay here quietly until Friday,
and return to Bombay by the outgoing
mail steamer"
"Without Ernest? Neverv
"Then, my dear, II you are Of the
same obstinate mind tomorrow stiall
appeal to the authorities here to have
you sent back to your father. should
never forgive myself If 1 allowed a
mere child like you Ito say nothing OF
your being u princcss) to wander about
the streets Of London, in vain search
for a man who has abandoned you!
know my plain duty, my dear, and
what's more, l mean to do it, as true
as my names Mary Baxter"
With these resolute words (Which,