Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-08-24

ed, impassive and immovable, believing
some natural delay prevented the usu-
nj immediate response. However, at
the end Of eight or ten minutes, he be-
gan to think it strange that the young
Englishman did not come.
Doubtless he has not heard the cry"
he reasoned.
And, putting one of his hands to his
mouth, he sounded for the second time,
With rare perfection, the peculiar boot
of the owl.
At this second call, George expert
enced deep and painful emotion; but,
on the young girl beside him, the i'm
preston was yet more acute.
Conquered by sudden and inexpli-
cable uneasiness, she began to tremble
in every limb. Her breast heaved, her
heart beat hurriedly, and she STAN
mered, in almost indistinct tones:
Gin heavens name, Sir George, let us
return to the house! These cries make
me wretched. You may jest at my
weakness, but you cannot efface from
my mind the conviction that they por-
tend to us misfortune"
AS she uttered these last words. she
felt her strength desert her. The earth
appeared to slip from under her feet
all grew dark before her, and she
would have fallen if George had not
caught her and held her in his arms.
"NIy God!" cried Sir John, prey to
the most violent anxiety; "what is the
matter with the dear child?"
''She has tainted, father" answered
George, in agony. "What must be
Lone?'
''Let us hasten to the house." replied
the judge. DOUBTLESS, it is a passing
trouble, and our care soon will restore
her.
George, bearing his sweet and pre-
cious burden, overcome with inconceiv-
able rapidity the distance which lay
between them and the bungalow. The
other had difficulty in keeping pace
with him.
When he entered the salon Agnes had
entirely lost consciousness. Her long
lashes were lowered over the large
eyes, around which was outlined blue
shadow of infinite delicacy; her head
swayed from shoulder to shoulder; her
pale face was half-concealed by the
masses Of her unbound hair.
George laid her, with tender care, on
divan, and soon their united efforts
produced an immediate and happy re-
suit
She uttered long sigh and opened
her eyes, and as her swoon had been
too short to bring but momentary con-
fusion to her mind, she extended her
hands to those who gathered about her,
saying, with charming blush and
smile:
81 am, indeed, ridiculous! Oh, do not
deny til know it full WE'LL but 1 do
not recognize myself tonight. Twenty
tmes-a hundred times-I have heard
the boot Of the owl, without feeling
the slightest uneasiness. Why, then to-
day, has it worked me such harm? l
do not know, and cannot guess. Per-
haps it is fatigue after our journey,
and the joy at finding myself once
more in my dear guardians house,
which made me nervous and impress
ionable.''
eyes, dear child" answered Sir John,
quickly; doubtless it is as you state.
A few hours of quiet sleep will restore
you. Come! Hera and I will take you
to your room. Give me one of your
arms, and Hera will support the 9TH
er."
But Agnes was already standing,
W ullc AAeLlC INV, musical AAu5A OuAos
from her lips as she answered.:
''Ah, am stronger than you imagine.
I do not need ASSISTANCE can walk
quite alone" and, emphasizing her
words by action, she crossed the salon
with rapid, though somewhat totter-
ing step, reached the threshold, but
stopped as she was about to cross it,
and returned, lifting her face to Sir
John for a kiss. pardon, dear friends"
she said, "to the foolish Agnes of this
evening. Tomorrow you will find the
Agnes Of every day."
Then, pressing the hands which Sir
George and Edward extended to her,
she slowly assembled the staircase to
her room.
Sir John and his two sons remained
together some minutes, discussing the
strange event of the evening.
George, anxious to be alone, to aban-
con himself to, reflection without con-
straint, was the first to bid the others
goodnight. ...
Shutting himself in his own apart
ment, he opened the window, and, lean
ing his head upon the supporting pillar
of the balcony, that the night air might
blow upon his burning temples, he
gave himself up to thought; but re-
Election only confirmed his resolution
to break forever with the beautiful un-
known.