Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-11-17
Ell exclamation, he put her from

fleu exclamation. he put her from
him.
II can't kiss you. Judith" he said. in
Il Subdued tone. Dearly as l love
you. won't kiss you until you are my
wife. You don't really love me; but
am not in the humor to care about that
since YOU have promised to marry me.
l won't stay any longer. but to-mor.
row shall come and ask you when we
are to be married. Good-bye"'-and,
wringing her hand in strange agita-
tion. he quilted the room.
Judith remained staring blankly ut
the carpet until Claude came into the
room again. when she said, with an
attempt ut gaiety:
We'll. Claude, I'm engaged to Cap
tain Herbertw
You are?" he calculated, in amaze
ment.
II am. Your astonishmcnt is not
very tlattering. sir Don't tell Elsie,
for want to break the news myself"
"Certainly," he returned. brightly.
Il congratulate you. Judy, and wish
you every happiness!'
And Judith felt his evident relief
and his atfectionate regard to be Il fair
compensation for her sacrifice
Il fear l shall wear out my wei
come. Mrs. Townshend: but your hus.
band is dining at our mess tonight,
and. as told him l wanted to see Jul
dith. he gave me permission to come
ana make YOU cogniZant of his where
aboutS." Where is ,Tudith-not out
hopc:"
Elsie. who had been yawning alone.
though she had greeted Captain Her
bert on his unexpected arrival with Il
bright smile of welcome. suddenly be-
came very grave.
Judith! What do YOU want with
her: She is upstairs in her own room
with headache
Hasn't she told YOU, them" he
asked. with cool brevity. Yesterday
Judith promised to marry me-that is
why l want to see her.
Judith did what?" she demanded,
thinking Captain Herbert was joking.
Il suppose she proposed to you her
her that it is not icap-year."
My dear Mrs. Townshend. l pro-
posed to her-for the second time"
The citation in his voice and face
proved to her that he was in earnest.
and, with a little gasp, she turned very
pale and sank back in her chair. He
looked at her for moment Implying
ly: but. before he could make up his
mind whether she had tainted or was
on{- mOmentarily overcome, she raised
herself ard opened her eyes.
you did not mean that?' she said,
piteously. ooh. how can 1 bear it?
IT 1t Is true. what have all your pro-
testations of love for me been worth p
Il have never made any, he, retorted,
| 1oy In
having like cad. and am more sorry
than 1 can express. l was half
ashamed to come here tonight and
face you. but, of course. you were only
amusing yourself with me- l wish Jul
dith had told YOU"
Il dare say YOU do said Elsie with
a hard smile: but. unfortunately. Jul
dith has not been able to tell me any
thing
What is the matter with herr" he
asked. anXiously.
Mrs. Townsend laughed malicously
she has been crying her eyes out.
No doubt the knowledge of your love
and of her engagement to you has Civ
en- her great deal Of happiness"
His face darkencd with suppressed
fury.
You don't believe what l tell your
Mrs. Townshend Continued. I'VE will
send for her. and you shall see for
yourself-that is, If she will come
down. and. rising, Elsie rang the bell
and desired the servant to inform Miss
Hatfield that Captain Herbert wished
to see her.
They waited in silence for the result,
Elsie in jealous torment. Herbert a
Vrey to renewed suspicion.
| Hn
which he handed to the captain, who
read IS follows:
Dear Captain Herbert:-I should
have liked to see you. but am suffering
severely from Il headache. Will you
excuse me tonight: Tomorrow hope
to be better.
| Yours. Judith
Dear Captain Herbert" annoyed
him. while at Yours. Judith" he was
delighted. He smiled. and. in a trans
| port Of pleasure. had almost raised the
little note to his lips. when Elsie
spoke.
she is not coming: Of course not
she would scarcely like you to see her
redeemed eyelds. She wont run the
risk Of putting you out Of conccit with
her. for you are too good a catch"
lie frowned, anc seemed disposed TO
| take her inSinuat'"n seriously: but as
the little note st:!i ia; in his hand with
Yours, judith staring him in the
face. he only smilcd-rathcr uncasiIy;
but his tone maddened Elsie as he
said:
You can't make me believe that she
is mercenary-b besides. she did not
know Of M i.:proved circumstances
until last evening
Before or after slln consented to
marry you:" asked Elsie, with Sncrr-
ing laugh.
What does it matter if | behave in
herr he demandcd: but he r;.nn-
bered that she knew before he joined
her in the window embras,lrr: and
Elsie. guessing at the growing suSpi-
cion in his mind. laughed again. her
cheeks growing hotter, her manner
more excited.
We'll" remarked the captain. with
q forced smile, for he felt thoroughly
annoyed at the remark. Il stand no
chance of seeing her tonight. so | NAY
as well go. Your husband told me he
should not be late"