Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-09-15

was great relltt-hc was utterly at Il
; loss as to what step to take next.
Seeing her fathers perpleNity. J'l-
| lith came to the rescue.
Claude has put the matter into the
| hands Of Il detective. papa, and to-mor-
row he is going to the hotel to wait for
news Of Elsie. Don't you think 1t is
the best thing he can do?"
"Certainly-certainlv" agreed her
father. And. probably, as your moth
or desired me, l had better go with
him"
Il shall he very glad if YOU WILL" as,
srntcd Claude: you may be able to
suggest where and how We had best
look for her"
Mr. Hatfield looked; inQuirinyly ut his
daughter, who shook her head. saving:
Il have already told Claude that
can give him no idea"
".Ah. wcll-it is very unfortunate!
What had We better do first, Claude?
Go up town tonight or start early in
the morning."
Start in the morning" suggested
Judy. glancing at Claudes tired face.
Il think that will be the better plan
Now let us have some supper. Judith"
The girl went away to make prcpar:l-
tionS: but when she returned to the
room 4 few minutes later to lay the
cloth. her father said:
After all. we ;Vc going up to town
tonight. Judith: Claude prefers it.
We have just an holr and twenty min
uteS in which to eat our supper and
catch the $780,
I'VE can sleep going up" Claude ex-
planned. in answer to her glance.
So Judith busted herself il attending
to their wants; and. at 10 O'Clock. hay
ing returned her fathers kiss and
Claudes warm hand-prescure, she
stood alone Mt the gate watching their
rcceding figures.
While Judith was busy over her nee
die Work the next morning. Mrs. Gard
incr called.
This is not keeping Your promise,
my dear she remarked. atfectiOnate-
ly. "I.:i.r people went away eight days
ago. ana YOU haze not been near me.
You have been working too hard. yollr
eyes are heavy and your face is white"
But not froGi oyerWork. To tell you
the truth. Edith. lave not been TO see
YOU for the simple reason that l did
not like to tell YOU wha: has happened.
and still less to withhold the news.
But take off Your hat and spend the
morning with me, will ycu:''
Il came over with that Intention
answered the Wears wife. for Rc;-er
has gone to EaStbuly. and won't be
home for the DAY. l am very sorry YOU
are worried. Judy: you have always
something to contend with. What is
it now? BERTHE again. Or" getting
when in jest-"eXcuse my levity-haS
Elsie eloped with some one else:''
"Oh. Editll-dont." Judith pleaded,
distressfully. 1T is not so bad as that;
but Elsie has left Claude!'
Nonsense. You are joking" Mrs.
Gardiner exclaimed.
II am not. Y:u will understand that
we intend to keep the matter Il secret:
hut as YOU are Claude's kinswoman. it
is right YOU should be told"'-aEd Jul
dith proceeded to tell hes friend. mere
~ withholding these particulars which
she felt did not rebound to her sisters
credit.
What little fool What 4 selfish
little wretch" was Mrs. Gardeners
forcihly-cNprt s$ed opinion. How could
the girl have the heart to behave in
such Il fashion. 1t is inconcevable.
Poor Claude. When he suffered be
fore. Judy. it was the fatii, OF his own
stupid jealousy. for Laura Carpenter
was Il flirt but in this case | really
think Elsie must be most to blame.
Suppose Claude is jealous. and that
Jealousy chafeS hers she to think
only Of herself? Is she to have no
thought for him and the pain her friv-
Olity causes hiM. or for the disgrace
her foolish conduct will entail upon
him? If / were Claude. and she came
back, l would SEND her to school for six
months to learn wisdom and good be-
havour. How does he look. ludy?'
Worn. pale and unnerved. lie loves
Elsie very dearly. Edith"
II suppose he does; but he had far
better fought with his passion and con-
nucrcd it than have married its object.
Judy. they will never be happy tosrtll-
cr-I feel convinced Of it,
Don't say so. Edith-think what it
means for them BOTH
Il do | have thought about them Il
great deal and your news only sur
p"i>ps me because l should have mag
inrI IIlSie's love Of self would lave
prevented her from acting 50 foolisAly.
1t is not right to speak so to you. as she
Is Your sister: Dlt. though you never
admit her faults. you must be aware OF
them. And you have 10 idea where
Elsie can have gone"
Not the Least in the world. wish !
had. that l might help Claude to find
her.
Mrs. Gardiner looked at Judith
,houyhtfuliy for a moment, then she
asked. suddenly:
Judith, where did Edith Chatswor-
thy settle after her marriage with
Capt. Barclay:"
"Edith! exclaimed Miss Hatfield,
cxci,edly, her pale face lighting up.
What put Edith Barclay into your
head: l never thought Of her. and
Elsie would be more likely to 80 to lier
than anyone"
Mrs. Gardiner laughed softly as she
pa,le,l .Judith's head.
1.-TWO heads are better than one,
dcarie, sometimes" she remarked; but
| ain really surprised that you never
thought Of wild Edith and her friend
| ship for Elsie
$50 am /; but never thought OF her
81. ft,.,A