Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-10-27

strangely enough, rel. rcaily III love
for the first time in his life. He had
never loved Elsie, Gracic's assertion
that he turned pale at the news of her
marriage being Il little stretch of the
imagination. Ha,ing heard many lit
tie remarks Grace had dropped. he
comprehended Judiths loveless condi-
ton and the fashion in which she was
regarded ut home: and her rejection
was the more CALLING that he had been
confident in the belief that he had only
in his lor1ly pleasure to ask to have.
I'D give something to know why she
refused me-" he muttercd. shifting the
arm of his chair. lis it credible that
Il girl Of her age. never having loved
before or had the chance TO niarry.
should refuse me? She told me there
was no one else. and looked mo
straight in the eyes; but l don't BE-
lievc her! l wish | knew"
His eyes cleaned With malice.
lis it possible that if had given her
more time, her answer would have
been different? My leave is not quite
up yet Suppose l go to ClaNton for
Il few days. and show her that | love
her too we'll to despair"
But suddenly her dark face. With the
scorn upon it as he bent to kiss her,
rose before him.
For six weeks she has smiled into
my face and encouraged my attentions
only to look at me at last with hate
in her eyes. An" he exclaimed. II
will repay her a thousandfold if ever
get the chance"
Meanwhile, Judith was trying to rid
herself Of the unpleasant impression
he had left upon her mind: but. when
Grace returned to the room. two min
utcs after his departure. she found
her sister apparently absorbed in Il
book.
"Anne told me Captain Herbert had
gone. Judith she said. looking mar
rowly at her. Il was surprised. Why
didn't YOU ask hSn to stay: We could
have had some ilusic.'
Never thought of it" replied Jul
dith. "They make the heroine of this
book absurdly sentimental. don't you
think. Grace"
judith. you are only fencing with
me! Captain Herbert has proposed to
you: l saw it in his eyes
Judith burst into such a ringing
laugh that the eager light died out of
Grace's face.
HE has not? What a shame"' she
said. disappointedly. Il am so sorry,
Judith; I had quite made up my mind
to it! And you don't care? What 4
horrid flirt you must be getting"
''Yes-I feel quite blasee" said Jul
dith, still smiling. But go and play
something. Oracle. don't see why
we should be done out of our music
because Captain Herbert has taken his
DEPARTURE And. putting away from
her the womanly temptation to tri-
umph over her sister and tell the
truth, Judith dismissed the subject.
That evening Grace told her hus-
band, adding:
II watched her afterwards. and she
looked so disturbed that l am con-
WINGED he had proposed, only she
would not confess it,
On the following day it was general
ly known that Captain Herbert had
gone back to his quarters ut Ports
mouth without wishing any one good
bye
Mr.. Hatfield met Judith with hired
fly.
Il am so thankful that you have
come. my darling" he said, nervously.
Your mother seems to have felt her.
self quite neglected during your long
absence. The servants never satisfy
her you know. and-and l get so up
set at being disturbed when 1 am in
my study that don't satisfy her. eth
err. AS to John-poor John.-they have
not spoken to each other for weeks,
for your mother seems to be under the
impression that the servants give him
more than his share Of attention. Such
an error, you know, for there is moth
ing John hates so much as to be molly
coddled, especially by servants! How
ever, you will set all to rights"
"Yes-Ill set all to rights" assented
Judith, sitting a sigh How goes A
Deed of Blood, father"
He threw up his hands despairingly.
II have not written a line, my dear,
since l wrote to you. Just as was
forming the conspiracy, too. But the
divinest inspiration would be put to
fight at the sound of your mothers
hand bell. judy
<ro Be Continuedl