Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-09-01

How do you know Claude is jeal
ousF inquired Judith. gravely. not
liking the half-pleased. half-scornful
smile on her sisters face.
"Oh, because l have had a lecture!
When came out Of the diapers met
Fred. and while we were talking
Claude drove up. He just nodded to
Mr.. Owen, and then asked If he might
drive me home. But all the way back
he was preaching at me about the ne,
cessity of snubbing presumptous pup
pies like Owen. now that am so near
~ married woman. Just as If Fred
was doing any harm! 1t is so ridcu-
lous Of Claude! :"
Not ridiculous. Elsie. for two rca-
sons. Men look ut YOU with rather too
much meaning when they talk to you,
and if Claude is inclined to be jealous,
he would naturally object"
Inclined to he Jealous. He is jcal-
Gus. Mrs. Gardiner told me. long ago.
that he is rs jealous as Il Turk. and
warned me that | was taking great
responsibility upon myself by marry
ing him."
1T is Il responsibility"
Elsie'S sweet laugh rang out mcrri,
ly.
and one you would not have cared
to undertakc-eh. Judy?" she demand
ed. rather maliciouSly. Il am made of
holder stuff. YOU see"
1T is 4 responsibility" repeated Jul
dith. unflinchingly And if you un-
dertake it with the determination to
insure your own happiness as we'll as
your husbands. by never giving him
cause for jealousy. everything will go
we'll With you.''
What do you mcan?" Elsie asked.
| CURLY.
II mean that there was no harm in
| Claude'S telling YOU in what fashion
| he wishes YOU to regard other men,
and. knowing his disposition. you
| ought to make Il little sacrifice to pre-
vent his suspicious from being cXcit-
| ed Remember what he is doing for
you. who have not penny nor any
| grand c"NnectionS.'
"Fooh-l have youth and health. and
-an:! many men may envy him. eX-
clai>ael Elsie. tossing her fair head
consciously. Indeed. dare say if l
We're to wait could do better. AS it
is. il Captain Herbert only had larg-
err income, l would sooner have him
than
She stopped abruptly. and Judy had
no need to ask the reason. for she,
too. had been conscious of the opening
of the door. Claude stood there and
must have heard ElsieS last words.
Judith looked at him apprehensively,
but her fear vanished as she studied
his smiling face. never noticing, in her
perturbation. that the smile had not
reached lis handsome, somber eyes.
Yer ."it this in the dog-cart. Elsie;
I did 90: see it when you got down."
he said. lightly, as he threw a small
parcel upon the table.
You need not have troubled to
bring it, returned Elsie, CURLY.
Papa is in the garden; you could
have given it to him.
you Eu=rateful little creature he
retortcG IS that how she repays
people for their services. Judy?'
''Oh. nc: it is always a pleasure to
do anything For Elsie.'
His smile Iecpcned as he turned his
gaze from the dark face of the elder
girl to the fa;rer face of his tiancee:
and Judy knew by the tenderness Of
his expression how great his love was
for her sister. and she prayed earnest
ly that Elsie might prove worthy of
and grat:fcl for it. She knew that the
girl wHS guileless and we'll meaning,
but she had been so f1attered and
spciiad that she dreaded her resist
arce to her husbands jealously- loving
coercion. There was even now a slight
air OF defiance in the way in which she
met her lovers gaze, and more thar
tinge of boredom in her tone as she
said:
Hadn't you better go-your horse
bu.E"'
That last is Il sufficient reason, my
darling he returned. indHl5ently.
"Otherwise there would be no need
for me to 60. for Paterson is taking
care of Brownie. You look so COM
Portable here he added. looking
round the tinery -bestrcwn room land
it is so dull at the Priory.'
Elsie smiled into his eyes. He caught
her little gloved hands and held them,
looking with passionate fondness into
her lovely blue eyes as she said, naive
ly:
'l'robably in a few weeks you will
look back upon the dullness you now
complain Of. and wish you had never
| cndc:! it ID" marrying me-"
DO you think that is at all proba-
| bir''
Il should rot he at all surprised-I
| quite believe that man is to one thing
constant never" she replied laughing
| ~ and. swiftly djsengaging her hands
| from his, ran from the room.
With the smile still OIL his face, he
stood thoughtfully at the window for
a short t;m:. PousinE himself at
length, lie turned to Juay, and. IooN-
ing 1T her slender njmble fingers, he
SAID affectionately, as he laid a hand
ui,o;; her shoulder, little guessing how
his touch thrilled through her
''>.dy. you will be glad when have
tai":' j.er away. should think? Do
va" .::ve yourself no resi-
.: '!at to keep on uDri! everything is
finished" She answered cheerfully.
II h#"e the bump of nncrgy-if there
is s',"h Il til:ne-strongly developed.
B'it shall we see you this evening? We
expect Grace and her husband by the
seven o'clock train"
Il may look in if you don't think
they will be too tired. Let me see
Mrs. Fletcher resembles Elsie, does
| Oh i,. nf ~,