Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-04-21
Chapter XXxII.-(Continned.)

craft approaching port:'' said the ma
jor. III faint voice. and with feeble
attempt to smile.
The captain did not reply. His first
kind impulse was to say. 1T has not
come To that yet" but then he knew
that it had come to that; and to de-
rcive dying man about his state was
cruel. even if in such q case deception
We're possible. SO the captain re-
manned silent
Il am glad YOU have come. neighbor
very glad. You will attend to af-
fairs hereafter-after l am in port.
These distracted women don't seem to
know what they are about" said the
dying man. speaking with difficulty.
do as you like with me: order me
about. old friend; q came to you on an
other matter. but let that pass; you
are in no condition to attend to it,
nlurmured the old man. soto voce.
The sufferer did not seem to catch
the last. low-breathed words. He con-
1nued:
made my will some time ago. 1
have left my old servants free: and my
old house to Etty: but the house-rent
will not support her. poor child
Leave Etty to me: l will take care
Of ETY. said the captain. who. in the
largeness of his heart, would have
adopted all the orphans of deyastat-
ing war. if necessary.
Good old ncighbor. thank you, but
1hat must not be. Etty has a relation
who has greater claims upon her; a
grandmother who has neglected her
for Il long time. but who has at last
remembered and written to her. The
letter was written week agO-fOrtun-
arcly, as it turns out. we knew where
to send her" The dying man paused
to recover his breath. and then contin-
ued. though III a feeble tone:
When an put to bed finally-Miss
Penelope must take Etty to New York
and deliver her up to her grandmother
Then-if you desire it-as you can't
have Etty-you may-if you wish
adopt Miss Penelope. who will be
without home
The captain was quite startled by
this proposition for if there was one
thing in the weld he was afraid Of. it
was the hatcnet face Of this sharp lit
tie woman; and this feeling was sue
.ceeded by one Of pure compassion for
the homeless creature: so his answer
paI!ook Of his first fright and his sub
'Eh! what. adopt Miss Penn:-Lord
bless my soul. alive Oh, to be sure!
certainly! with the greatest p]easure"
NO. l thank you, captain! And l
am very much obliged to you, major;
but l won't be separated from the
child! have been with Eer ever since
her mother died. and won't leave her
now; whoever takes Etty will have to
take me. too If the venerable Mrs.
What's -her-name, for l never can re-
member it, wants her grandchild. she
will have to put up with me, too,' in
terrupted the housekeeper
Il dare say she will. l dare say she
will! Be quiet. Miss Penn; don't ex-
cite yourself: but only remember that
when you get tired Of your city home,
my country house is always Open,"
said the captain. very much relieved.
The limbs Of the dying man grew
icier, his face grayer. his pulse slower,
his breathing shorter.
The captains sorrow and anxiety be-
came poignant and insupportable. 1t
was terrible to him to see fellow
creature go out Of the world unattend-
ed by the prayers Of the church: SO he
vcntured to whisper:
would you not like to see clergy
man. Major Burns?'
Why: No clergyman can attend
me on this journey. My soul must go
alone to its MakerT' replied the dying
man.
Our minister mas been sent for; ex-
poet him every minute" whispered
Miss Penelope.
And the words were scarcely uttered
when there came Il rap at the door, and
The Rev. Mr.. Allen was announced.
The minister entered the ssick room,
bowling gravely in turn to it's inmates
and then advanced to the bedside OF
the sufferer.
The captain and the housekceper dis
creetly withdrew, leaving the minister
alone with his patient
On the stairs the captain paused and
said to the housekeepcr:
II have a lady waiting down stairs
Madame De Glacie.''
II have heard the major, poor man
speak Of her" Interrupted Miss Pene
lOpe suspending her weeping in tho
excess Of her curiosity. Little Da.
neys mamma. how very remarkable
And so she is really in this house,
And stands in need of refreshment
having ridden from the ferry to Lem.
ingham. and from birmingham to this
place without breaking her fast re
pcntcd the old man.
"A distance of twenty miles cacl
way! Forty miles without eating any
thing! And our dinner has been over
for three hours Put ] will have hall
Il dozen chickens broilcd directly! II
will take no tin:e at ALL" exclaimed Tho
little body, flying down stairs and ou1
Of the back door to give her orders
without having more than glanced a
the strange lady tina; SO kcrnIy eXcil
ed her interest.
The captain murmurcd, rs he watched
her disappearance
Poor little creature: 1t is Il gooe
soul. after all!''
The marquise arose and advanced Il
meet him, inquiring anXiously:
And Monsieur le Magistrate:'
lis dying. Madame! 1t was no tim
to speak to him OF our own affairs
deeply az they interest us. We mus
Try the other man"
.And he. Monsieur"
Ellis name is Erlingforl. y ncI
man and fran what l can gather