Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-10-20

scnce; consequently L uOn't KNOW
whether ought. You seq. l have the
servants. as well as the house and the
babies under my charge. and they are
the greatest responsibility"
We'll, YOU must talk it over with
Margery." lie said.
An hour later. when Judith was sit
ting alone reading. Elsie came softly
down stairs. and. sinking down upon
Il chair. burst into tears. In an in
slant Judith was Mt her side. Elsie
sohhed bitterly for Il while, but pres
emily was able to speak
Claude knows now" she whisper
ed. her fair, flushed cheeks close
close against Judith's. HE had been
awake for quite an hour. when Ill at
once he said: Elsie. did you come
back to me of your own accord. or did
some ono find you:' l was so upset
and frightened. Judith. that-that-I
told Il lib. Forgive me. Judy-tlon't
look so grave: | really could not help
it. | replied. OF my own accord |
know it was wrong. but it seemed to
make him so happy! Well. began to
tell him why l stayed so long With
Mrs. Barclay, but he would not listen.
i don't want to hear he said: L know
YOU have not done anything wrong
let the past be buried between us.
But YOU must answer me one thing.
Elsie-what brought YOU back to me?
Was it love" Love and-for our little
ones sake | answered. You should
have seen his face. Judy. now know
that he dearly loves me-
Elsie cried again: then She looked at
.1udith's grave face and put her lips to
it.
You won't betray me. Judy. will
you:" she asked.
You know | shall not. Elsie But
fear that by accident he might one
day learn the truth: and then he will.
perhaps. be panied to tiink you had
deceived him in such Il moin"nt."
You may be right" Els:A remarked.
smiling consciously: but | fancy he
would forgive me anything now at
any rate. can always say that
should have told the :.uth if he had
not been i'll! Besides. who is to undc-
ceive him: Up to tho present time YOU
have only told them at lome that he is
ill., and that l am witt. hi".. You can
easily say that the s;..te O: ;::y health
induced me to retur.l, arr. ::,>; l sur
prlsed you all by my coming. OF
course. Grace and Percy know the
truth; but Grace woul; .. ar, thing
for me. and Percy would ,ic anything
for her; so am safe
Il hope So said Judith. fervently.
OF course, l dll not do anything
wrong, only something silly Elsie
said, mus!ngly. "t.s.:: think Claude is
very forgiving ani generous: l don't
think l quite uhdcrs:r.,;! him before"
Il don't thini: :un ::.,ite understand
him now. salt j ,i.:.;;i, with 4 smile.
You should lu.!sc :: study of him,
Elsie
Elsie thought She would: then she
rose to go upstairs again.
Claude sent mis- 1i:ya TO you. Judy.
Are you not dull down here by your
self: Why don't You come up and sit
with us FOR an hcMv:'
No. thank yus'..' said Judy. laugh
ing. Il have no WIS, 90 prevent or to
overhe:r your 1anti..r nothings: and |
shall not lie dnl!. T.: to the present
l have had no ,:.;,.:.s:.~-been with the
children al t.. ..;::loon. and Cap
tain Herbert Was here for half an
hour"
Captain Herbert :'-smling. paus-
ing to look bacl. on her way to the
door. What did he want! Did he
ask for me?'
Yes; and he desired me to give his
kind regards. But he called to inquire
how Grace and had borne the ia
tigue of the ball.
"Oh"'-eagerly. And do you think
he knew l was there, too?''
Il am sure he did not And we must
not let him know now. because. with
out telling the actual fib, led him to
understand that you returned to Eng
land only on Tuesday,"
Il see. I wish you had sent up for
me: l should have liked to see him
again. Don't you think he is very
handsome, ?'-looking keenly at
her sister.
Not haldsome-he is too cffcminate:
but he is very goodlooking, of course"
'Oh. Grace made me laugh ycster-
day. She said that Percy thinks he is
gone on you. You never told me So
Il should not be likely to repeat any
thing so foolish, especially as it is not
any compliment. Captain is Il natural
and experienced tlirt. He would try
to make Lucy believe he was gone on
her if she came here to morrow"
Elsie colored and laughed lightly.
Perhaps you are right. At any rate.
it is hardly likely, is it, that within
ten months of being my lover he
should try to become yours: We are
SO utterly unlike; besides, l think he
has to marry for money"
He will when he gets the chance,
dare saw said .Tudith LIGHTLY