Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-01-20
merely answered.

merely answered.
mo; certainly not under that name"
and continued his long-protracted meal
in silence.
When his appetite was at length
quite satisfied, and the tedious break
fast was ut length over, the captain
wiped his mouth AID gray moustaches,
and, with a sigh Of intense satisfaction,
leaned back in his chair and inquired:
what do you think of Daney, now:"
"She is surprisingly beautiful More
beautiful than any human being I ever
saw before! Much more beautiful than
I deemed 1t possible that Dancy could
lever become"
"My man" said the captain, signiti-
cantly. three years ago Daney was
but an outlinc-a mere faint pencil
sketch by her Creator: now She is that
sketch filed out, colored. finished. That
is all She is still the same Dancy.
But, man. man, he is Il poor artist who
cannot see the beauty of the finished
picture in its first faint outlincs"'
Il know it. sir! l know it, and am
! that poor artist: for. an! never found
out the value Of this picture uutil it
was too late! until it was bespokcn for
another gallery than mine!' sighed the
colonel.
What do YOU mean? Leave meta.
phor. even though you did set the ex-
ample of using it, and speak literally"
Then l never appreciated the real
worth of our Daney until She was lost
to me forever
well! YOU have left metaphor only
to speak in riddle. What do you mean
now"
"Dancy. Astrea. should say. is the
promised bride of another"
Hem! OF whom. if you please?"
coolly inquired the captain.
His Exccllency, Senior Don Sal
envador-"
Etc. etc. etc. I know the lubber:
| Who told you SOP"
Common rumOr.'
"-As if YOU did not know common ru-
NOR to be common storyteller! Bosh!
She is no moro going to marry him
| than am going to marry the Queen Of
| Mnrocco!'
Are you sure. sir?" exclaimed the
young man. with breathless eagerness.
Certain Daney's hand is free"
| "And-her affections:'
well. sir. remembering what passed
between YOU and ME upon that subject
three years ago. l consider your quest
| ton rather Of the rathereSt."
Uncle. do not mock me. love Da-
ncy. love her. aye! to my own perdi-
ton. should her affections be otherwise
eng"ed."
well! don't lay violent hands upon
yourself Yet awhile. Nor upon me.
either. added the captain. seeing that
he started up and confronted him.
rs she free in heart and hand?" pas
sionately demanded the Wound man.
Free in heart and hand. do firmly
believe!-Iet. stay. l spoke too fast. I
fear She is not. quite free in heart-''
"Oh. sir. in mercy, what are You
about to tell me:'
Why. YOU see. Daney is not quite
perfect. any more than any other nu-
nan being is. She has soft spot in
her heart. like the rest of her sister
hood. And that soft spot is where the
memory Of her boyish playmate melted
the hr9in.'
Does she remember me With kind
ness? Oh. if I thought she did. or
could. I should almost die With joy"
softly. my dear fellow. softly. DO
yol wish to marry Daney:"
Wish to marry her! Wish to marry
that peerless creature? Sir. I would
UTMOST barter lily Soulo SalNatiOu u
cell her mine."
Stay: let us understand each other.
Daney is in better health and spirits
and is better educated and better
dressed than she was three years ago;
she has. also, a prettier name. and mix.
eS more in society. That is all Her
position and prospects are in no de.
gree changed from what they were"
CTo De Continued.)