Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-05-25
CHAPTER IN.

All ocean steamer was nearing port.
The winter voyage had been long and
tempestuous. The passengers had
been principally confined below decks,
either in cabin or state-rcoms.
With one exception, they had ex-
tended to each other the cordial hand
OF good fellowship. each recognizing
their mutual dependence for the Will
ing away of the slow and somewhat
anxious hours. This sole exception
was Woman-a wiman young. high
bred and very beautiful-presumabl
a widow from her dress; her name
appearing on the ship register as Ma
dame Florence. She was very pale
and her eyes had in them at times 4
strange CLEAN. which nearly betoken-
ed madness. But her manner was
quiet to a singular degree, and no eX-
element ever marked her outward
mien.
1t was night. and many days later.
when the train bearing her entered
the beautiful city of New Orleans.
Ere she slept she sent for the land
lord Of her hotel to come. when a
fiorid. kindly-faced man quickly obey.
ed the summons, bowling low before
the lovely and imperious woman who
was his guest.
Madame Florence finds her rooms
agreeable. l trust he began, accord
Ing to her telegram"
Yes. the rooms will do she inter
rupted. II sent for YOU to acquire. if
possible. some information regarding
a gentleman and lady who came to
New Orleans nearly a year ago. I
must find them. and thought it pos
sble they might have been your
guests. Can you recall the names
Mr.. and Mrs. Dalrymple:"
The landlord looked grave as he an.
swercd. somewhat sadly.
Il only became proprietor here six
months ago. The old proprietor fell
a victim to yellow fever last summer.
You know it is our city's scourge, and
last year proved merciless indeed
The beautiful listening face paled.
Il did not know she said. rs it,
indeed. so fatal?''
$50 fatal. madame, that we buried
our dead by hundreds. Babies were
found wailing on their dead mothers
breasts: mothers weeping over their
unshrouded children. SO fatal that
we could not find collins for the
corpses. or physicians, to save those
yet capable of being saved"
DON'T she pleaded, turning away
her head. as though his words had
painted an actual picture and held it
up before her view. But those that
/ seek would have left the city at
such a time. They would have had
no reason to remain
III look on the old registers, ma
DAM" he said. IF you will write for
NE the name"
Quickly, Florence-for we. who have
long since recognized her. may drop
the prefix she had assumed--dasied it
off on paper.
Let me know at once she said.
But when the door had closed upon
him. she sprang from her chair and
paced excitedly up and down the floor
until the landlords knock preceded
his return.
His search had not been vain. The
names Of Mr.. and Mrs. Herbert
Dalrymple, indeed, appeared upon the
register; but beyond that he could tell
her nothing, and the one man who still
retained his post now. as then. as
manager, was out of town. but cX-
pected to return on the morrow. Pro
missing she should see him ut the first
possible moment, the landlord again
withdrew.
The long hours of the night wore
away. Tired. exhausted as she was.
she could not sleep. AT last daylight
broke. and grew into morning, and
patience had become maddening' bat
at last a step stopped outside her door,
and in answer to her summons to
enter, stranger crossed the threshold
OF her room-a man whom she had
never before seen; yet, as he stood