Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-06-23

L ~
ing about here while talk to you Il
few moments, although you have put
| yourself into such a belligerent atti-
tude toward me. And why, indeed,
| should you have done so? Hang it.
girl, do you think l am a beast, or a
| devil-or a mixture of the two-to offer
| any rudenesS to Il woman. even though
she were my own? No. Fora, do not
! he afraid Of me, girl. came in here
| tonight to tell you that your words
this morning made some impression
upon my mind. They We're brave, true,
good words. feel that l am an old
| man, drawing near the end Of my car
Ger. l feel that l should reform Il life
that has been rather wild. This even
ing the conduct of my guests filled me
with disgust at the habits in which
| myself have been too much accuStOm-
cd to indulge. SO, when they We're
gone, I resolved to come to you and
say what l am about to say! l love
YOU. Fora! You have awakened in my
heart pure affection and a profound
esteem that no woman has vet been
able 10 call forth. And, QuadrOon as
YOU are-for you are much too light to
he a mulattO. as was Sc tdOwn in the
bill of Sale-1 will make you my wife
tomorrow! 1t is true that the laws OF
tliiS state would not recognize such a
marriage. but we can cross into state
where they do. And. of course, will
enlancipate you at once. Come. my
dear Fora, what do YOU say to that:''
Sir" replied Astrea. unconsciously
lowering her dagger, Il thank you for
your preferences! and for what, to you,
ut least, must seem your very generous
offer. And l hope that your profess
SOnS of repentance are sincere, and
that your reformation may be COM
plete. But with that can have moth
ing to do. as you must be aware
that l cannot accept your proposal"
tue elevation 1 offer you-that free
woman and wife," injured Rum
ford, i'll seemingly sorrowful surprise,
as he drew Il little nearer to her in
his walk.
"Ah. sir, why should I reiterate a
statement that you refuse to credit?
welded wife,"
This is ost. strange" said Rum
ford, in apparent pcrplexity, as he
tie room. Your adherence to this
story is most wonderful. That, and
the perfect consistency Of your state
shakes my faith in the tale told me
by Merrick, and almost temptS me
to believe your own account Of your
self to be the true one.''
And as he finished these words, he
drew nearer than ever to Astrea.
ooh. sir. believe it; believe it; or
rather test its truth in the way that
friends, Mr.. Rumford!' implored
guard.
Il will do so. Fora, or rather Mrs.
Greville. as I shall henceforth call
you, and cause you to be respected
until the arrival of your friends. l
will do so tomorrow said Rumford,
standing beside her.
"And now, sir, since you acknowl-
edge my rank and position, may 1
request you to withdraw from my
room. And oh. take with you most
sincere aud earnest thanks, and the
assurance that my friends will richly
suffered on my account" said Astrea,
earnestly.
Certainly, Mrs. Grevillew said Rum
ford. And in an instant he had thrown
his arms around her. pinioned' her
dagger frof her hand.
wall, leaned against it,, and laughed
aloud!
:'Ha, ha, ha! no, no. no, ho"' he
shouted, leaning back and pointing his
finger Gerisively at Astrea "YOur very
humble servant, Mrs. Fulke Greville!
How are your. health and spirits at
this moment, madam? How is the gal
liant colonel, your husband? Ha. ha,
| ln i,,,1,, cnI
with your words, was I? Oh! l offered
you II arriage, did 1? And. all I was
going to write to your friends and re-
la, La! Ho. 10, no! Oh! Fora! what
a gull you were to think that l should
be outwitted or defied by child like
YOU! What do you think Of your pros
poets now? Do you Know what they
are? I'll tell you what zine are-to
pass the remainder Of the night in this
room, in spite of all cart hand heaven
and to take kiss to begin with, my
dear! That will be all the more piqu-
ant, Snatched like brand from the
burning of your wrathw he said, as he
advanced toward his intended victim.
But a marvellous change had passed
over Astrea! Her form seemed to di-
a majestic presence in the room; her
head was thrown back, her eyes We're
starting, her arm was elevated on high
with a gesture of supreme authority.
An awful glory lighted up her face! In
her terrible beauty, she seemed Cas-
sandra about to prophecy! Python
css sent to utter the Oracles Of a god!
or an Angel Of Wrath pronouncing the
doom OF Il world!
"Pause"' she commanded, as Rum
ford advanced toward her.
And. as if compelled by some all-po-
tent spell. the planter paused.
You have profaned the sactity of a
maiden brides bed chamber! You
have used treachery and force to dis
arm her of the only means she pos
sessed Of defending her purity! You
think you have her at your mercy! You
mistake! l have you at miner
THAT voice! that voice." exclaimed
the planter, in horror.
"You have been tried, judged. con-
demned! And now, in the name of all
outraged womanhood-I command you
-dew
Affected by some fearful agitation,
the planter stood and trembled.
I'm the name Of all pure spirits that