Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-09-01
CHAPTER I.-(Continucd.)

will be %!ad-you might drop her 4
line. J.ily.'
ND tt.in!, I will let Elsie tell hel
good news herself: she will prefer to
do SC" .i:suy answered. quietly
But Ms. Hatfield retorted. sharply:
81 hoi" YOU are not jealous of your
sisters good fortune, Judith? 1t is
very absurd, il you are. because it is
not .Se.r ;h.r you. ut Your age. could
make sue: H.arriage as Elsie, who is
in the first bloom of youth"
judith Was 80 used to this kind OF
speech % answer in any other fashion
than with Il quiet laugh: bit. as Shs
quilted the room. Mr.. Hatfield said.
sharply:
Il think that was uncallei FOR, .anie.
liza; judith has no need to he Jealous
of her sisters. pretty as they are as
you must confess. if you will only re,
fleet. Which of your other daughters
could take her place."
That is all very well-we could not
do without her. certainly-but the val
tie we set upon her would stand her in
very little stead if it were Il question
Of marriage"
Mr.. Hatfield shrugged his shoulders
without replying. for lie seldom argued
with his wife.
Out in the hall Judy came face to
face with Elsie and her lover the
former flushed and smiliig. while
Claude looked years younger in thi;
first stage of triumphant happiness
He had his arm around her. and had
apparently been kissing her. for Elsie
withdrew herself hurriedly, and. run
mig past Judith. went into the draw
ing room.
Claude looked after her with hap
by smile: then he turned to Judith
Judy he said-"I may call you
Judy now. may l not?-congratulate
me-ElSie loves me. Tell me that YOU
hope we shall be happy"
Il need not say l hope-I am sure Of
it," she replied. earnestly. Il congrat-
ulate You with all my heart
Thank you. 1t is an additional
pleasure that l shall be enabled to
claim siSterly relation with you.
Judy. 1t will be my own fault if am
not happy"
Yes agreed Judy. frankly, land
nope You will remember that. Are you
going 10 see father and mother-they
are in here
He smiled at her. but as the light
fell upon .IudithS pale face as she
turned to open the dining room door.
Ciaude's smile faded and cloud de-
seconded upon his spirits that he re-
membered long after.
1ou are not well-you work too
hard he remarked. his sympathy in
touch with her. though he did not
guess at her secret
81 am quite we'll but l have a head
ache she explained.
look here, Judy. am not going to
M;.t ;4luCy weeks FOR Elsie. so promise
lac tiiHc directly we are settled in
Northwoid you will come and stay
with U.S."
Thank you'll shall be delighted"
she replied with a readiness that sur
l'ri2ed herself
Judy hesitated Il moment before she
summoned up sufficient resolution to
go il. and congra tulate her sister. whom
she found standing by the open win
dow.
Il haEe come to wish you joy Elsie.
You are happy. dear"
Oh. very. very happy. indeed. thanks.
Judy. How could l be otherwiSeT'
Elsie asked, hurricdly. What do papa
ana mamma say
They have not had time to say
n''l.!: YET. but they seem Very pleased
JG'ly answered. Smilingly: and then.
as Elsie seemed diStraite. she left her
ana Went up to tell John.
Ii Judy found her brother sitting by
the window in his room. He had. APP
!';,.'"n1ly. been sketchiNg. but now
leaned back in his chair. deep III
1EDr,ht. There was an uncXprossed
bond of sympathy between them. .irst
as there was IL great likeness only the
nf ln
dal:; face was married BY lines of pain
which his black moustachc seemed to
ticc"ntuate.
Judy has come up to tell Punch
same news he remarked. turning
sl"wy to her with Smile-thc nick
I;'!..&S were those he had bestowed
yt'I5 before upon himself and her
Judy may save her breath elsie has
bo"'lci Judy out, How did Punch
ki.ow: Look here
He handed her Il sketch III crayons
Of pair of lovers in Il gardcn--very
fair portraits of Elsie and Claude.
'"Tll"y forgot was up here he cx-
claimed: 80 saw ALL They spun it
out, rather. didn't they: Was Judy
dung WEEP. .Eeanwllile and has she
now come to Punch for syn1pathy?"
"Nu--Shc hasn't" retorteu Judy,
. whose feelings were never hurt by his
DHilnAgp. because she knew that he
Gld not mean to pain hp" and attempt
III" no denial of Il cause for tears. since
sE" knew how keen was his glance
She is too sensible. nh: SO sensible
that she can bear TO Know her errant
KnlSnt is not Il god to every one: Look
1eto.3
He handed her another sketch thai
had been lying face downwards upoI
the table. There were the same fig
ures only this time Esic's face was
represented with an expression of inso
lent amusement. as she gaZed at hcl
lover. who grovrllcd al her feet, ant
whose head John had changed to tina
of pig. Underneath was written
"Circc and a Nic1im.'
Judith tore il into, saving. angrily:
'llow can YOU turn your talents tt
so base Il use, IOhnT'
1T is the perverted nature of the an
tmal. he rr1nrt2d. rOOlly as ht
Snatcllcd the pieces Ou1 of her han.
and put them together again. "Wh!
shouldn't ! anus" myself! | cant e
IL ,..I. IE