The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1899-10-14

II you had lived In feudal tlmes
you would. have absorbed an entire
kingdom. Certainly, you had some
reason on your: side"
Thank. you. Anyhow, I. accom-
plished as much as the old-time lords
I refused to give up. the note. I keep
1t to. this day. although now and then
Clara threatens to destroy It,"
"Of course she retains the present"
The gray eyes flashed almost an an
cry look at him.
CLARA! Much. you know ABOUT
Clara. Why, she wouldn't keep the
finest diamond in the world in her room
II 1t had a setting with another per-
sons initials in it-and there was my
full name: Hester M. Morford.'
Pardon; you said it vas addressed
to your sister. How did it happen that
your name was engraved upon a pres
ent addressed to your sister?"
"Oh, dear! Don't you see? It was
addressed to Miss Morford.'"
"Why, what on earth could the man
have been thinking of" said the gen.
tleman as he gazed steadfast1y in his
companions face.
THAT was what Clara said-once
only. She never referred. to him again
In that tone. l. fancy my bantering
was at the bottom of her silence. Any
how, I'have: only to remind Ter that
all her care does not sufice' to keep
me in the shade. to make her s6ec-
tionate. She reminds me at least
once a month that IL I am ever up-
happy she will never forgive herself.
But. I declare, we are almost at the
hotel. And there is Clara now, stand
ing beside that large woman with the
lovely white hair"
But the gentleman saw only a young
lady with a face that reminded him Of
an old-time portrait. There was an
air of repose, a beauty of expression
surprising any mere outline. a gentle
ness that appealed to the most chival-
rous instincts.
Hester was on the point Of intro
ducing her companion of the day
when something in Mrs. Hammersly's
opQ14SSu AOI eAos oAS AAS"
him. That lazy with her regal air
advanced with %outspread hand as she
said in her distinct tones:
This is a very unexpected pleasure.
Mr.. Courtney"
"Courtney?"
Hester felt. the blood surge to her
temples. but she controlled her voice
admirably as she said something about
the heat and withdrew, leaving Mr..
Courtney with her sister and Mrs.
Hammersly.
Two days elapsed before Mr.. Court
ney succeeded in surprising her alone.
why have you avoided me so per-
%sistently?" he said, as he turned and
walked with her.
although 1 90 not admit your right
to question my actions, do you not
think they are based on a sense of pro-
priety?"
II will admit anything If you will
only allow me ten minutes-well, then,
five-only five minutes talk, Miss Nor
ford"
ITO what purpose? My error was
less than yours. You could have set
me right. You did not. You did not.
How was 1 to know that your name
was Courtney, with people addressing
you by your baptismal name? You
should have set me right"
IF you will only give me two min
utes, then"
moi" She wal passing on, when
Courtney reached out a hand.
THE greatest criminal is not de-
MED the privilege Of a defense. I
knew you had no idea who l was when
Stark and his sister introduced me in
that unconventional way. 1t was Jack
stark's blunder. And I was very anx-
ious to see you. The circumstances
we're altogether rare-exceptional."
Very" said Hester dryly, al she
gazed at the hotel, looming up in the
distance.
Il was wrong. I ought to have cor.
rected Stark at the time; but think Of
the temptation"
This is again very vague. Mr.. Court.
ney, but it is also becoming a tribe too
whimsical"
The look that accompanied this was
absolutely freezing. But from time i'm
memorial ardent wooers have refused
to be frozen by looks.
when you know the truth you will
not say it is whimsical. You may call
me a fool"
.Say, rather, that I will not permit
you to play upon my creduliy. You
saw my sister; you sent her a present
az an evidence Of your appreciation Of
her kindness to your mother. That
was permissible. My sister certainly
displayed a degree of interest unusual
in your mother. But why you assume
a right to address me as you have done
l leave you to explain to yourself. NJ
is a matter that does not interest me-
in the least now" {.
NOVEL claim the right to vindicate
myself" He spoke firmly. II never
saw Miss Morford until I came here.
When I, inquired for Miss Morford at
Rose Center "a servant pointed. YOU out
to me-"
ST" She stared at him, thest sud.
denly cast her eyes down.
Eyes. 1 repeat. you were pointed
out. You were standing on the south
porch. / saw you as plainly IS l
e you now. The moment 7 saw you
T."
please permit me to 60 in.~
T. was said in q very low tone. He