Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-11-03

his attempt TO tlirt with you terminate
cd. am curious"
Judith had. no time to say anything.
for Elsie and the captain crossed the
lawn as Claude drew up his horses.
Judith kissed her hand to her sister,
who was 4 little in the rear. and then
she looked down, lMlf-dOubtfully, at
Captain Herbert. who was waiting to
help her to alight: but the expression
of delight she was unable to control
was SO reaSSuring that she smiled at
him as She said:
Il was surprised to see you. Claude
has only just told me of your having
come to Lisborough."
Il was surprised just now to hear OF
your coming" he replied. as he shook
hands With her, adding. in Il lower
tone And l can say that | am rs
pleased us l am Surprised.'
Both men saw that Judith'S checks
flushed, and, as she turned in answer
to Elsie's well. Judy. old darling. l
am glad to sec YOU" each of them
smiled. Claude nj the notion of Il wo-
man like Judith succumbng to the faS-
cinationS of the rtfeminate soldier. and
Captain Herbert because the uncN-
pcctcu sight of That blush reused the
dormant hope that her rejection might
have been premature. This feeling put
to flight all notions of revenge: in fact,
he felt ashamed of ever having enter
tanned such an ignoblc idea.
Claude and Captain Herbert went on
to the stables. leaving the sisters to
ask and answer the hundred questions
that each seemed to have to put to the
other: and, to look at ElSie'S smiling
face us she talked of her husband and
their baby, and of her home and her
happiness. no one would have doubted
but that she was one Of the most con-
tented women in the world.
II wish those two men would come
back" said Elsie, at length. turning
her head to look in the direction of the
stables; 'but perhaps they don't want
any tea. All here comes nurse and
the baby
Judith turned eagerly. and. as 500,
as the child was near enough. took hin
out of the nurses arms. He was
pretty little fellow. not over big, but
compact and very dark
Il laughed when you wrote us that
he was like Claude" Judith said. as
she kissed the little face: but there is
no doubt that he is-he is so dark. too.
Your baby. Elsie. l can hardly real
ize it," and she kissed the child again.
Il wish he was yous. Judy" Elsie
said. smiling and pouting: lit makes
me feel awfully old to remember that
am mother"
"-Ah, that is all put on. AS if you
were not quite as proud of him as
Claude is. No. don't take him away
yet. nurse, please
The woman walked away: and when
Claude and Captain Herbert returned
from the stables. they saw Judith sit
ting by the teatable under the elm
with the baby in her lap. While Elsie.
in her white gown. knelt beside them,
holding up to his gaze Il silver tea
spoon. which he was chucking ut and
making vain endcavorS to clutch.
"A pretty picture" remarked Cap
tain Herbert
Yes aSSentcd Claude who was be-
ginning to feel in a better humor with
the young man. now that he imagined
that there was an understanding of
some sort between hi mand Judith: If
her hrntller had come With Judith. as
we wished. it would have been I, nice
little subject for his pencil"
Al. that is the brother Mrs. Hat
field is SO fond Of? l hope he is not
ill.,
No worse than usual but he would
not come: he is cripple and very
sensitive"
Miss Hatfield told me many things
about him when she was in town last
year."
Claude smiled. and presently invited
the captain, quite cordially, to stay and
dine with them.
Il shall feel de trop.' the captain as
serted; but they all saw he would like
to stay.
DE trop with us, when you have
known us SO long? What nonsense"'
calculated Elsie. while Claude said
"Kubbish!' so lie stayed.
\ few minutes later the baby was
fetched away. and Elsie put her hand
within Judith's arm. saying:
Come and look at the flowers; Il
little stroll before dinner will give YOU
an appctite"-and led the way over the
lawns, the two men following, as they
cha!;cd on various topics OF maScl-
line IN tcrest.
After dinner. when the two girls
We're alone, Judith said, III her quiet
way:
Were you not surprised when Cap
tain Herbert cau,e baraiDn you see
much Of him?''
90 Be Cont1nuedl