Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-10-20

great trouble to them all. always
grumhling ut having to sit in an office
day after day. and never content With
the amount Mr.. Hatfield allowed him
to supplement his meagcr salary, which
he always contrived TO spend in ad-
vance. Lately. too. he had engaged
himself to a girl the HatticldS were
not on visiting terms with. and had
threatened to cmigrate if his father
did not start him on his matrimonial
venture.
And he not twenty-one" Scornfullv
and unSyMpathetically observed Elsie
Il should let him emiyrate. How is
Mrs. Gardiner? Not very swertly-in-
clined towards me. of course. hut
don't mind that. If Claude doesn't re-
sent my conduct. no one else has any
right to do so. Oh. dear
The mention of her husbands name
so diScompoScd Elsie again that .Ju-
dth was glad they We're at their
journeys end.
Although Grace was watching for
the arrival OF her sisters. she allowed
4 servant to usher them into the
morning room.
"How iS-he:" faltered Elsie. look
ing very white and troubled. as Mrs.
Fletcher entered.
Rather better replied Grace.
chccrfully. ''He is not conscious but
he is quiet Elsie. you had better have
glass of wine before you go up
stairs
Judith led the way upstairs to the
room where Claude lay with half
closed eyes. under the care Of a we'll
trained nurse. Elsie approached the
bedside timilly, but. having looked at
his Worn face long and wistfully, she
bent and kissed his cheek.
Il will stand by him." she whis-
rered. Il should like him to wake and
find me here
BUT Claude did not recover con-
sciouSness until a late hour that night.
After staring wonderingly at Elsic's
anxious face. he said. quietly:
Am | i'll. Elsie: l feel very weak"
You have been i'll: but you are go
inc to get better quickly.
Il thought must have BEEN. he re-
marked. With 4 weak smile; for l
seem to have had such horrible
Dreams
One OF Elsie's hands was clasped
round Claude'S: he moved his head
and kissed it. and. looking into her
face again. murmured:
Il dreamed that YOU and We're
parted. Elsie. Oh. it was a relief to
find l had only been dreaming. Kiss
me. my darling"
why did you run away so early on
Tuesday: You can't think how dis
appointed l was when could not IND
you for the supper dance
Thus Captain Herbert to Judith two
days later They were alone in the
drawing room at the SycamOres, Jul
dith having just come down from the
nursery to see Captain Herbert, who
had asked for her. after calling three
times and asking in vain for Mrs.
Fletcher.
IL ran away because I was wanted
here" she answered. lightly. land l
was anxious You know that my sis
ter Elsie and her husband are here and
that he is ill.,
No" he answered. neither sur
prised or confused at the mention OF
Elsie's name-'.I did not know it; am
sorry to hear Mr.. Townshend is i'll.
Nothing serious. hope:"
NO. happily" replied Judith-''he is
recovering rapidly. and hopes. in
few days to be well enough to go to
Northwold. Grace and Percy started
for Paris this morning
"Kccping to their original intention.
then? And you-will you be alone
here all the time they are away"
''YeS-eXcept when Mrs. Mainwaring
= n
Vile come to see me-
''Or Miss Herbert and her brother
he added IL may scall sometimes,
may l not:''
Il shall be very pleased to see YOU"
politely answered Judith. not expect
ing to be troubled with him.
THANK you" he said. earnestly, add
ing. with Il delicate thoughtfulnesS for
her unchaperoned condition that
struck her: "Then, as my sister wish
cs to improve her ACQUAINTANCE with
you. shall join her when she comes"
Captain Herbert then turned the con-
vrrsation back to incidents Of the
ball, and Judith Skilfully managed to
find out. without in any way betraying
her intent. that he had not been aware
Of Elsie'S identity He had remarked
that Mrs. Fletcher had been pro-
bounced one OF the successes Of the
evening. when Judith asked him. care
,rsSly if he had danced with either Of
the ladies who wore powder.
"yeS-with two Of them. One wore
Il vt How gown: she called herself Gin
Nrlclla. and disappeared from the
scene as early as her prototype, and
as you did. The other was my Colo
nrl's wife. My sister declares she will
never wear powder again; it is such Il
trouble to get ii out Of the hair.
II should imagine it would be" said
Judith. thinking that, if he had recOg-
niZed Elsie at the ball. he would be-
tray his surprise at her ignorance on
the subject.
But he cvincrd no consciousness at
all: neither did he seem to be waiting
in the hope Of seeing Elsie.
My mother is in Scotland just now.
Miss Hatfield" he said. when he rose
to depart; but on her return she will
call upon YOU. Meanwhile. you will
join my sister and me when we 90 TO
the lhcatcr sometimes! We cannot al
low yo, /" be dull while Fletcher and
his wife are away
You are very kind. and | should
llk" il very much,' said Judith frank