Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-09-22

Elsie. 40 not go near MIN: he firm
keep away from him until his vile tenn
p"r has cooled down. He will como to
YOU then, hnmbly enough and then
YOU will be enabled to do With him as
YOU please"
But" said Elsie, looking up through
her tears. what have l done that he
should he so cruelty disposed toward
mo: l was very foolish to run away
from him. never meant to stay-yOu
know that. don't yOu?-and Heaven
knows l have been miserable enough
ever since! Don't you think that If |
went to him and confessed my sorrow
he would forgive me?'
My darling girl, it is useless to hope
! 1t. In his present mood. he is Il very
dangerous man. Suppose he struck you
| in passion. ElSir-Struck YOU in the
face mlrring your beauty forevcr?"
Elsie sh,tddered. murmuring some
thing about Claude's never striking Il
| woman, She was sure.
My dearest. the noblest gentleman
tina, ever lived is not anSwcrable for
| his actions IN Il moment OF passion. l
| once knew Il man. Elsie. who was Il
brave soldier and Il gentleman. who
was married to one of the lovelicst
girls. Well. one day. in Il passion. he
caught her by the throat and tried to
stranylc her. He did not succeed. but
She WAS such Il horrible object ever at
ter With her awful staring eyes. that
he shot himself rather than endure the
agony Of knowing that he had made
her what she was. You would never
forgive yourself, Elsie il Mr.. Towns
hcnd-"
ooh. don't" cried Elsie, in such ter
ror that Mrs. Barclay had to walk to
the window to overcome her inward
merriment ut the success of her horri
bic little fable.
Presently ElSie's sobs ceased, and
the girl sat up and looked around at
her friend.
Edith. YOU have not told me. dear.
how YOU know all this GbOut-about
Claude. Have you seen him?'
Have l seen him?"-with an affected
little shrek. ELSIE. l would not go
near him for twenty thousand pounds!
No: but l have seen your sister Judith,
and--I have been followed by Il police
man."
joyfully. Have you seen dear old Jul
her how miserable 1 am? She would
help me, 1 know. She does not fear
any one, and would so to Claude and
make peace between us, am sure"
"Arc you%' said Mrs. Barclay. in a
tragically dubious tone. Elsie, you
know never liked your sister. ana she
does not improve upon further ac-
Ouaintance. Judith Hatfield is trait
ress! She make peace between you and
your husband! No. no! She would
rather make love to him and Slandcr
you. Do you really believe that she
sylnpathiscs with you? Why, her ev-
cry look and thought was for the man
YOU won from her! From whom do
YOU think I heard of his rage and his
vile intentions. if not from her? Did
she evince any anxiety on your ac-
count? No! Her anxiety was for poor
Claude Had she once said, poo:
Elsie or shown any anxiety to give
you back your happiness. l should have
respected her and brought her here in
defiance of my promise to you; but
Faugh"
And. having thus expressed herself,
Mrs. Barclay strobe to the table, and,
seating herself at the tea-tray, took up
the teapot. as she continued:
Elsie. there is Il very true saying
about a woman scorned being Il devil,
or something of that sort. Now Judith
is not angry with your husband for
choosing you; she is bitter against you
for your being chosen. There-don't
cry any more, dearest, but come and
eat, drink and be merry, and snap your
fingers at Judith and Claude"
"Oh!" sobbed Elsie, miserably, 4
don't think you can be right about
them. Judy was so good and loving to
me, so was Claude. am sure that it l
could only see him he would forgive
me-"
Mrs. Barclay set her lips tightly for
moment; but, laying: with much wis
dom, depressed her feelings, she rose,
and, going to the girl drew her to her
feet saving. mischievously:
Go be Continued.)