Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-06-16
Chapter xxxIv.-(Continued)

II nope not, venus; Tor. as l sale
before it was not Satan that was will
you, but some good spirit. And now
Venus. since you heard everything that
passed, you heard of the threatened
visit to-night?'
Eyes, honey: l heerd it all good
deed did IDLE scamp
well, Venus. there is one great ia
vor shall ask of you!'
"What dat. honey?'
'"rO stay in my room with me to-
night"'
'I.or'. chile. done 'ceive my orders
contrarywise to dat! Ole marse he say
to me dis mornin'. he say: Venus
woman. you can go back to your loft
tonight; Fora is we'll enough to 'spense
of your services So dere, YOU see,
hcney!"
"Ah! Venus, l expected something
like that! but do. my dear girl. try to
elude their vigilance and conceal your
self in my chamber tonight! You can
hide under the bed. or in the wardrobe.
or in one Of the closets. Will you do
this for me?''
Hi, chile. what good gwine do YOU
by 'sposin' my own life to 'structiony'
1.-The same good that you have done
me by hiding yourself in that cup
board to witness the interview be-
tween myself and Mr.. Rumford."
An what dat. honey? For, fore
my Vine MarSer in hebbin, l doesn't
know
1T was this. Venus! Your presence
in that closet will prevent any one
from being able to say, with truth.
that l was alone for one single mo-
1ncnt. in a closed room. with that man..
Think of that. Venus. 1t was for that
YOU We're led to conceal yourself in
this room.'
We'll. Lori do really 'spose it was:
else how do it,"
And now. my good woman. would
have you again perform a similar SER
vice for me. Conceal yourself in my
room tonight, so that l may be able
still to prove that l never was alone
for one moment, in closed room, with
Rumford"'
to 'fend an prove any ting bout it?"
"Venus. I have told you before that
l am wife! 1t is of vital Importance
to me that my honor should be beyond
suspicion. This night may see the last
of my life. But whether l live or die,
Venus. l want you for a witness that
l lived and died a pure woman. Now
do you understand me|'
eyes. honey; an l don't know how
it is; | is Sartain sure | is a great
coward. but l feels as dough l was
bounden to hey YOU. 'spose it is de
good spirit as you spoke Of
''That is it. Venus. There are angels
all about us, to inspire and aid us, if
we are good and true..'
'An' now. honey. what you want me
to do in case ole marse should come il.
an be obstropolous? Take de poke1
an knock him down for dead?"
mo. Venus; do not even wish you
to come out from your hiding place, or
to run any personal risk whatever.
only wish you to remain on the watch,
to see all that passes, and report of me,
living or dead"
Eyes. honey; but same time. if ole
marse do misbehave hisse'f. an sees
him, an de debil do get into me. which
he is apt to do. l can't be no ways
'sponsjble for what shall do! Knock
ole n1arse brains out wild de poker,
maybe, an den get hang up by de neck
till I'm dead! An dere's an end O.
Venus
'"There is no danger, my dear Venus.
You will be on holy duty. and will
he protected from all temptation of
the Evil One. And now. my dear wo-
man. you had better not remain too
long in my company. lest your pre- sence
should be observed. and it should ex-
cite suspicion"
dat berry true. Sides which 1 got
to 90 ole marSe's room. blame him.
said Venus. as she Immediately left
the parlor to perform this duty.