Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-01-07


joy, had recognized her mistress, and
sprang from the arms Of Malcolm
to the bosom of Eudora, where she
nestled. trembling with delight.
The poor young prisoner smiled
family as she put one hand caressing-
ly around her favorite, and held out
the other to her visitor, saying:
II thank you very much, dear NAL
colin, for fetching her so soon. Poor
little thing, I'm glad she does not
know" she added, tenderly caressing
her pet.
All, but Fidelle did know-if not the
nature and particulars Of the heavy
had gone woefully wrong with her mis-
tress, upon whose faded, wasted, hol-
Iow-eyed countenance she gazed with
the touching mute eloquence Of dogs
love and sympathy.
Malcolm seated himself beside Eu-
dora, and watched her uneasily as she
lay dimly and softly caressing her lit
tie dumb friend, and apparently forget
ting for the time being her own awful
position. And as he noticed her, his
heart ached with the foreboding fear
that her mind as we'll as her body
was giving way and sinking into inn
becility under the pressure Of her
heavy calamity.
He wished to test the truth Of his
suspicion by conversing with her upon
some subject more serious than that
of her little dog, who seemed for the
present to engage all her attention;
yet he hesitated to disturb the. tran
silent peace that seemed to have de-
scended upon her bruised spirit like a
blessing.
Il wonder if they would not let me
keep her? She could do no harm, you
know. poor little beast and it would
be almost a comfort to have some
thing here that loves me through the
sl"epfcss nights said Eudora. raising
her eyes with pleading inquiry to Nal
colm's face.
Il think they will. if you so much
desire it. I think they will give you
every indulgence the rules do not abso-
lutely Forbid answered Malcolm.
1T j. only for Il few days. so they
might not mind, you know. Why, even
the cruel men of the French revolution
let Marie Antoinette keep her little
dog, though they took crown and king
dom, husband and children, and even
life. away from her. and surely"
II will see to it, love; there can be-
no possible objection to granting you
so harmless an indulgence interrupt
ed Malcolm
Malcolm's order for admission COM
prised only one hour of each day. 1t
was supposed that longer OF more fire.
quent visits would only distract the
prisoners mind from the solemn duty
of preparation for death, for which so
short time had been granted her.
Punctually, therefore. at the end of
the stipulated hour, the turnkey I'M
locked the door of the cell, and in
formed Mr.. Montrose that his time
was up.
Eudora held her little dog toward
him, saying:
"You had better take her down and
get permission before you venture to
leave her with me, Malcolm"
Montrose silently received the little
animal, but when Fidelle perceived
that she was to be carried off, she set
up such a piteous bowling and strug
CLING. that even the stern heart of the
female warder, callous to human sui
fering, was touched with compassion,
and she said:
II think as how you m2y venture to
leave her, sir. You can ask the govern
or about it when you go down stairs,
and then. if so be. objections are made,
it will be time enough to come and
force her away
"Thank you; [ think you are quite
right" said Malcolm, restoring the lit
tie creature to her mistress. Then,
STOPPING down, he pressed his lips to
the forehead of Eudora, promising to
repeat his visit the next day at the
usual hour. took his leave and left the
cell.
In the hall below he met the govern
or and preferred his request. And
Mr. Anderson. really pleased with the
opportunity Of granting any indulg-
encc to the unlsppy young prisoner
not inconsistent with the duties OF his
office. readily &C nsented. and he HIM
self went to the cell to assure Eudora
that she might keep her little four
footed friend Il. long as she liked.
Malcolm Montrose left the prison,
that he had not encount-
cred Amelia Wilder there or on the
read. He felt extremely anxious again
to see and speak with that mad girl,
who. he much feared. was rushing
headlong into some frantic enterprise
which. without helping Eudora, might
ruin herself. He vainly looked out for
her on his way back to town, and vain
ly expected her during the remainder
of the morning.
The whole day passed without his
seeing or hearing anything OF the ad-
mirars granddaughter.
The next morning, however. as he
was sitting over an untasted break
fast, impatiently waiting the hour that
he might visit Eudora, the door was
suddenly pushed open. and. unan-
nounced. Amelia stood before him.
He positively started with dismay at
her appearance.
She was dressed in black. as Oh the
previous days. and her face had al
ways been pale and wasted from the
effects of the long continued slow
starvation OF her childhood's years.
But now two crimson spots burned in
the hOllows of her cheeks, and her eyes
glowcd like lire in their sunken SOCK
ntS. She seemed consumed with some
hidden fever or restrained frenzy.
Malcolm took her hand and made
her sit down in the easy chair, while
he said:
Il did not see you at the prison yes
terday. l hope that illness did not