Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-07-13

"It brings back the chill, charnei
breath Of the sepulchre. breathe
again the fever tainted, poisoned air OF
that terrible scourge, and my brain
reels. and can remember nothing
nothing
MY love-my darling-be silent!' and
as he spoke he drew the lovely head
down to his breast. "What have l
reed to ask, since the grave has given
you back to me, and death has yielded
you to my embrace?"
Again silence fell upon that little
group-a silence lowering over an &C.
stacy to break which even an Angels
whisper would have savored of sacri-
lege.
AT last the mother spoke.
MY SON." she said, II, too. have one
promise to ask of you-one single
pledge to require Of you. You are my
only son, the possessor of the proud
Montfort title, the heir of all my
wealth. The girl whom you have mar
ried. and whom 1 have learned to re-
gard and love as Il daughter, you made
your wife away from your home, away
from all who loved you. 1 wish that
the ceremony be performed again. in
the chapel of your fathers" (The
young wife raised her head, and in the
blue eyes cleaned radiant light-the
light of a great and triumphant sur
prise-the sudden dawning of an i'm
perial day from mists Of blackness and
OF doubto 'There shall be no unne-
cessary delay. Within two days all
shall be arranged; but meantime, Dor
othy is my guest and under my protec-
ton. Doubtless this seems to you an
old woman's whim, but it will make all
my future years happier if you will
crafty it,
But, mother" he began.
Dorothy interrupted the sentence:
Your mother is right dear. Has
not the grave .yawned between us?
Then let us again ask heavens bless
ing on our union.'
LAS you will. my love-" he whis-
pered. low. "Perhaps my happiness is
too great. too bewildering, for me at
once to grasp it"
ut is Tuesday now" said Dorothy.
"On Thursday. then, shall be our sec
ond wedding-day. Is that your wish,
mother?"
n momentary hesitation had shown
itself before the utterance of the title
sWeeter to all hearts tina many denoting
pomp or power.
The old woman's face flushed as
girls beneath her lovers first caress.
The old heart beat with quick throbs
of gratitude. For all her harshness to
her boy she had repented sorely, and in
this honest, perfect pardon, seemed to
wipe out its memory. and shed it's sun
light on all the future days which lay
between her tottering footsteps and the
tomb.
But how was it with her that uttered
"a seal upon the pasta defiant chal-
it? seal upon the pasta defiant chal-
lenge to the future. Her vessel surely
had ridden into safe anchorage at last!
Who should dare say that the storm
king was abroad, and his fierce breath
might even now and then asSail her?
SO the seal was set-the challenge
given.
Even in the chapel of his fathers
should the double right be hers to wear
his title-to be. in very truth, MY
Lady Montfort."
The clock struck eleven. Lord Mont
fort started to his feet, and turned to-
ward them with smile.
"My oldest and best friend came
down with me from London tonight
he said. "He knew l would wish to be
alone with you, and so he went up into
the smoking room. 1 had quite for
gotten him, and think he is almost as
anxious to see my darling as could
have been. Wait! l will bring him to
you'
He turned to hasten from the room:
but Dorothy laid her hand on his arm.
Not tonight, BERTHE; l as So tired
to-night!'
ooh, just for a moment. dearest! He
will be so sorely disappointed"'
So she let him go. What mattered
it? The morning must bring the meet
ing. and she must grow accustomed to
strangers. After Thursday. she thought,
she would not so greatly mind. Then
came the sound of returning steps, and
the young lords voice eager glad but
quiet With a JOY too great for out.
spoken happiness.
Here we are" he said. as he en-
tered the room, his arm within that of
his friend. Dorothy, my love, let me
present you to"
He paused. interrupted by a sharp
cry from his young wife's white lips.
Back to her eyes had crept the fear.
Again the color had stolen from her
cheek.
as Arkwright a ghost?" exclaimed
her husband in amaze.
"Yes,' she answered, recovering first
her self-possession, and advancing with
the smile restored to her lips and ex-
tending her hand-"yes, a ghost. in
deed. for Mr. Arkwright and I have
met before!"
But Harry Arkwright's face was
white with a great sternness, blanched
by a great agony; and, with his eyes
spellbound on her beauty, he made no
motion to take the Lady Montfort's