Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-11-10

drew her closer attention to them.
Claude and Judith We're on the bal
cony. outside the drawing room WIN
dow. and Elsie had been singing. AS
! she rose from the piano n bunch OF
hcliotrope she had been wearing in her
bodice fell to the ground. and Captain
Herbert. having stopped to pick it up.
kissed it before he gave it back to her.
Both Claude and Judith noticed the
action. and the formers face grew
dark With annoyance.
I'VE will so in. Judith" he said.
hrusuuely. Captain Herbert seems
to mistake my wife for you in the
dusk. and l object. And he returned
to the drawing room. Judith remaining
outside.
1t was only a tritling incident. but
ElSic'S look, as she took the flowers
and fastened them again i'll her bos-
ON. startled her sister Was it posi-.
Bile. ,lr'!;th asked herself. that Elsie
still loved the man she had cried
ahou, on her wedding eve? And had
he Stimulated affection for Judith III
order :" obtain Il footing in the house
of his first fancy? But she could not
long entertain this last idea.
Juli';l had had very little personal
experience in such matters, but she
crul.l not doubt the captains love for
herself 1t had been expressed in a
doZ"u ways during those first three
days ut their meeting. What. then.
ha': ai;cnated him? Had she unwit.
tinsi5 said or done anything to offend
him: she could not remember-she
orlE knew that since he had placed
the rose in her hair that afternoon. he
h"0 seemed pointedly to avoid her.
Why:
AS She meditatcd. Captain Herbert
saTrtcred out.
Snn;in.en'alizing. Miss lIat1icld?'
he asked. with a faint sncer. looking
at her ;hous'i,tful face with an intent
ness she wished She could interpret.
Mol haze nothing to sentimental
ize about she replied. trying to speak
lightly.
If you will excuse my saying So
you looked us if you We're recalling
some very happy memory that yet in
ducel a little SadnesS-as some men,
cries are apt to do"
The hardness in his face relaxed a
little as she looked straight at him and
answered. laughingly:
do you mind tranSlating: Or shall
l frankly say that, if you mean l am
indnlging in the memory Of love-
affair. you are wrong? l never had
one to dream about"
do you forget me. or do you only
wish to remind me that the love l had
for you is not worth remembering"
81 did not wish to remind you of
anything; but you must confess that
my discretion did me credit knew
exactly how long your so-called love
would last
What do you mean:" he demanded.
Il mean that your reputation for
flirting had preceded your introduction
to me. so that l was prepared for
what happened"'
He seemed to think over her reply,
and at length said, slowly:
DO you mean me to understand
that. if you had not heard was a
f1irt. your answer would have been
different that night? Is your demean
or TO me merely the result Of your
distrust! Have been wrong i'll inter-
prcting some of your expressions to
convey dislike? Answer me. Judith"
But Mrs. Townshend gave her no
chance. for she came to the window
and called out:
How unwise of you, Judith. to
stopd out in the open air in that thin
muslin gown. Bring her in, please,
Captain HERBERT
lit is rather unwise." Judith admit
ted; and skilfully avoiding the cap
taip's hand outstretched to detain her,
she vent in.
En fnllcwed, looking presently at her
trcilhIed face with an ironical smile.
You could not answer my question:
SO yon ran away" he muttered. You
We're ouly playing with me-trying to
PIT NE off the scent, trying to lead me
back into a Irritation with you. so that
dear Claude's happiness might not be
disturbed. And l was fool enough to
believe in and to be little moved by
yorr artful ruse. But not again. Jul
dith. You saw me Kiss the nosegay
Elsie dropped, and you are getting
nervous! So far. SO gncd."
He stayed only seine ten minutes
longer, but even wnijc he listened to
and joined in the somewhat forced con-
vcrsaton that ensued. he was matur-
ing his wicked and cruel plans,
<ro BE ContinueaJ