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

Judith smiled. thinking of Johns
sheep on the downs. and the one that
was beating. And fortunately. she
was smiling. when she entered her
mothers presence. Mrs. Hathelu,
locking very delicate and exhausted.
was. as usual. lying on a couch near
he fire.
We'll. Judith. she said. wearly. pre-
scnting her thin cheek for Il kiss. and
Just touching her daughters gloved
fingers. "homc at last | really hard
ly expected you, You seem to have
become quite ohliviouS to the rightful
claims of your family upon YOU. Ev-
erything is ut skies and scvens. and
However. YOU smile as if YOU were
not unplcaScd to return"
why. of course | am not" said Jul
hith. brightly. adding. With Il spice Of
run, But suppose had eloprd While
l Was away"
Mrs. Hatfield coughed.
III takes two to make an clope
mrnt." she rtort, Il. significantly. With
rallslic unic1ule: so judith thought
She had better not say any more.
R,narking that she would Just run
lip ana remove her hat Judith went
upstairs: hut >h" Went into Johns
l"ull instead OF going to her own. lie
WAS sitting by the fire with Il hook.
ana at the first glance she saw that.
Notwithstanding his stay at the sea-
side. he was pale. haggard and thin.
Her brother looked around ut her with
Il SmilcleSs face.
'iou are Il dutter to come back" he
said. grutt1y.
II came back to YOU" she remarked.
with affected reproach. Yet mother
gave me Il warmer welcome than YOU
have done
But who is the more glad to see
You. do YOU think" he queried. Il
'ant care Il rap about the restored
peace and comfort your coming signi-
lies: | am glad to see you. because l
love YOU and am lonely That is as
selfish as my mother. no doubt: but if
YOU weren't necessary to her comfort.
she'd rather you'd marry than live at
the family expense"
You're cross Judith said. laughing
Il did not expect an insult the instant
crossed the threshold"
Il am cross; I've done nothing but
draw coarse, bloodthrSty przetisht
rl> dealing each other Slashing blows.
and skeletons in churchyardS for the
past. three weeks Would you like to
see some of them:
Not now. thanks I must wait.
But come downstairs With me. am
going to have some tea
Not if l know it. l haven't spoken
10 Polly Pcevish for exactly twenty
TWO days
That is not the way to speak of
your mother sir. and l wish you to go
downstairs with me- Come"
He laughed and made some demur:
but. when Judith presently went
down. John and his crutches went,
TOO.
AS the evening waned, Mrs. Hat
fields temper and spirits revived. re-
minding the girl of Grace's remark
that her mother would be we'll as soon
as Judith was at home and her trunks
were unpacked.
OF course. Judith had to repeat the
details of Mrs. Townshends return to
her husband, finding it rather awk-
ward to have to abide by Elsie'S vers-
ion. She gave her own as to how they
were together on the morning after
Claude was taken i'll. and how sur.
priSen they were when Elsie was ush-
erred in.
After listening to the recital. Mrs.
Hatfield observed. with smiling com
placcncy:
Darling Elsie. she was ALWAYS
SWce'ly forgiving. and has such q
beautiful sense Of right. In the cir
cumstances, many women would new
er have dreamed Of seeking the recon-
citation. However, | am glad they
are together again, and hope poor
Claude will be more sensible for the
future