Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-07-13
clasped his hand, but the younger wo:

clasped his hand, but the younger wo-
man only bowed her goodnight.
Herbert followed her to the landing
caress; then he returned to his friend.
lis she not all painted her, Harry
all and more?" he asked.
Eyes; she is very beautiful" was the
answer; but it sounded cold and forced.
unfOlded to him his mothers plan Of
the second ceremony. w..
ut isn't often a man must play the
role Of lover to his wife, he said; "but
my joy as yet seems to unreal to grasp,
and l couldn't deny the dear mother
her one prayer"
wright, even as Dorothy had indorsed
his mothers judgment.
But while he spoke he thought:
"Until Thursday; there may vet be
time to avert this fearful wrong.''
Then the two men parted for the
night-one to toss sleepless in the
home of his boyhood, because of happi-
ness which grew into ecstacy that was
pain; and one to pace the floor
through the long, silent hours of the
night, revolving and re-revolving in his
brain some answer to the hideous eng.
ma which perpleXed Inn.
Once he drew near the window. In
the old wing of the castle, it's ivy-man-
tied walls Of gray stone picturesquely
visible in the moonlight, light
streamed from within to meet the
moons rays from without
Even as he looked, a slight. white
robed figure leaned from the easement
into the night Her sigh seemed watt
ed to him on the still air. A deep groan
burst from his chest.
"My l!ove!. my love" he murmured.
'Haye lost you only to find you thus?
What must l do? What can I do?
Lend myself to this monstrous wrong?
Turn traitor to my friend, or betray
your secret? Why did l come here?
What evil angel thus ordained my DIES.
ttny?"
But when the morning dawned the
problem which perpleXed him was no
nearer its solution.
The light had long vanished from the
window; the form long disappeared
from the easement; but in the dark
ness the girl lay, with wide-open eyes,
fighting her own bitter fight-the fight
that fate again had forced upon her.
But no trace of her vigil was visible
when, with the suns rays streaming
full upon her perfect face, she held 1t
up in the early morning for her hus.
nand's kiss.
He held her, strained to his heart,
then put her from him at arms length.
'Your hair has gained new glory,
lear, WHILE see-mine has been sprink-
led with another metal! Silvor has
come to mine and gold to yours
Its your Fancy only winch finds
mine changed" she said, With low
laugh of exquisite content
This the picture which was revealed
to Arkwrght's gaze, on entering the
room.
His eyes and those Of the young
Lady Montfort met-sorrow in his, in
hers, defiance.
The breakfast passed off at last. Ark
wright strayed out into the park. For
a little while Dalrymple and his wife
We're alone. Then she sent him to his
mother.
81 must not be selfish, dear, and she
will want you all to herself for little
while. In an hour you will find me in
the library"
He kissed and left her
Arkwright's figure was visible as he
paced up and down one of the walks,
smoking a cigar. She stood a moment
watching him, but, as one might watch
a foe whom one is about to meet in bat
tie; yet, in her eyes was admiration,
rather than hatred, regret, rather than
desire for the contest.
But she was losing time, and time
was precious. When he turned again,
he saw her advancing toward him.
Pale already he grew whittier still. She
came quite close to him before either
spoke.
81 cannot deceive you?" she said.
deceive me?" he answered. "My
God! Why, Florence, have you done
this thing? What man, what devil,
tempted you?"
"Hushn' she responded. looking
around with swift glance of terror.
"Must again forbid that name? Have
YOU forgotten that here 1 am Dorothy
Herbert Dalrymple's wife-the Lady
Montfort? Am not to have new right
to the title on Thursday next? Not
even you will dare dispute it then, or
speak again in my ears the name that
1 have learned to loathe!'
FLORENCE, it must never bev'
The simple sentence rang like a fiat
Of fate.
"You would betray me?" she Ques-
toned.
81 would save you from a wrong 50
monstrous! Tell me, how and where
did you conceive this lie?"
She laughed ere she replied:
Ito be cOntinued.1
rraD mn