Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-11-24
wistfuily as lie put on her cloak and
small hat that Marccry had lent her,
then led the way down stairs.
CHAPTER NIL. aud Last.

CHAPTER NIL. aud Last.
Al the Park gates Judith aliehted,
and. looking at Captain Herbert rath-
cr nervously. said:
Come up to the house. too: l may
want to speak to YOU
Il will. If YOU wish il. certainly. But
| think il would he better for You to
go alone. will wait here. and you
can send for me if necessary"
''rl!u; VIII do" she said. and walked
on.
On asking for her sister. she was
told by the maid->crvant that Mrs.
TownShond WAS in her rooms. but
that she declined to see any one
But do You think She meant to cX-
cludc ne. or only visitors. Jane
she meant You. too miss. for she
Sent DOWN word Yesterday morning
that if you returned during the day,
W,Ir 10 say li!ai sue could not see
YOU
Can + see Mn TownShend:
Yes miss: one of the doctors is
with him ROW. ana he said You might
go w directly YOU returned
Judith went up stairs. and the doc
IIlSNST:tt HtI hlltH'N III lile DeU
III door. She knew him by sight,
ID he appeared to recognize her. for
said. in r low tone:
y am glad you have returned. Miss
tiield; my patient continually asks
for You. and, possibly. you may lie able
TO calm him.
Having led the way to Claude's bed
side, he and the nurse withdrew. The
injured man saw her the instant she
crossed the threshold. but he did not
speak. and Judith could hardly re-
strain her tears as she looked at him.
He was lying on one side-his arms be-
ing free nowhere was strip OF
plaster on one of his temples and his
face was terribly white and haggard:
but Claude'> expression was one Of
angry determination which scarcely
Softencd as he looked at her though he
said. gently enough:
You at last, Judy. Why didn't YOU
come before. when you knew l wanted
yOu:'
Il was told an hour ago and came
Immediately. But why did you-"
Don't hesitate. my dear girl: say it
out-why did try to commit suicide?
Well. because was weary Of treach-
cry and deceit-weary of being fooled
by Il man who professed to be my
friend. and by the woman l called
wife. and because l could not face the
shame that threatened me. Weak. I'M
manly and wicked, was it not. JUDITH
But YOU don't know how tired am
it all. They tell me she is still here. ir
spite of her appointment Are they
hoping that death will claim me and
release her.
''Hush--you are exciting yourself
unnecessarily Claude" Judith said.
nervously. IF your-death released
Elsie. it would not free Captain Her
bert. for suppose it is of him you are
talking:"
Il don't know what you mean" he
exclaimed: and. by Heaven. Judith.
if did not know you so well. l should
believe that you, also, We're in the
plot"
Il am not decciving you" Judith re-
turned. very quietly. Il repeat that
your death would not release Cap
tain Herbert. He induced me to
elope with him the night before last.
ard we We're married two hours ago"
Claude stared at her incredulously
for moment. then he said, with a
gasp:
'What-was it you. after all. who
agreed to elope with him? Was it you
in the balcony with him? l thought
so at first. but l could not see your
face or hear your voice. But l heard
what he said, and knew that there was
no need for you to elope. When re-
membered what had already passed
between him and Elsie, l thought it
must be she. Tell me that it was
give me reason for your strange con-
duct. and may yet thank Heaven for
misdirecting the bullet that should
have taken my life"'
Almost before he had ceased speak
ing, Judith. seeing that. by little par
donablc deception she might win him
back to love and life. and so save
Elsie from the consequences of her
wicked folly, had made UP her mind.
<PO he COntfnued1