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

"A ulSJdlcu lIOIll lIOuuOu hight uleiu
anything-a trivial disappointment
from some tradesman, the announced
and unexpected arrival of a guest, Or
OHIO wonder that the blood deserted
her cheek-news Of her boy-news con-
firmatory of his death, or news-the
blood rushed to her heart even at the
mere thought of what this latter news
might be-newS that he lived that she
might yet clasp him in her arms, and,
hearing again from his lips the Old,
sweet name of Mother! know that
she had forgiven all.
Her fingers trembled so that she
could not break the seal
1t was touching and a pitiful sight
to see that proud woman. humble as Il
little child in her great longing and her
great sorrow.
She held the paper towards Dorothy.
'Read, my dear" she said, in a quiv-
ering voice. Il dare not look myself
There was no tremor in the young
wife's hand: no flush of eager expect
ancy on her check: no Frightening
with hopes radiance in the lovely, az
ure eyes.
Calmly, and without haste. she tore
open the paper: but, as she glanced
down at the written message, she grew
suddenly pale: Il strange look came into
her eyes-l look one might have fam
ciet of terror and surprise that
brought horror rather than relief. Yet
what she read was this:
expect me at Montfort Castle to-
night. Have news of Herbert" and
the signature was Jasper Strong.
News of her Instantaneous perhaps,
that he who had loved her so fondIy
and so we'll, lived-that death had
spared them for each other!
And yet. the white look of an awful
terror was the one expression on the
young. beautiful face.
HE is dead, Dorothy, he is dead?"
cried the poor mother, her eyes catch
ing only that blanched fear so plainly
written on the young wife's face.
The words recalled her to herself.
She forced her lips to smile. and drove
back the tremOr from her tone
''You fancy ill news too readily, mad
ame," she said NO: Mr.. Strong tee,
graphs us he will be here tonight, and
and that he brings you some tidings.
Whether good or evil he says not
The older woman clasped her hands,
and her lips moved as if in prayer
Then stopped and pressed a long, fond
kiss Oh the young girls brow.
"Our prayers yet will bring him. Dor
othy," she mrlrm,Ted. ut is good news
that my old friend brings. He would
not permit hope to spring. only to crush
it. My boy lives. | feel-I know it!
Thank God Thank Godr'
With that fervent thanksgiving on
\, tI> 1;.-l,+
youth in her eyes. she went slowly from
the room to seek her own chamber, per-
haps. where. on her knees, she might
entreat a divine mercy to let hope
ripen into it's fruition.
The young wife was alone, but no
prayer passed her lips: no low-nlur-
INJURED thanksgiving trembled on the
air. Again she unfolded the dispatch
and read its contents.
Yes. he has news" she said. "Why
did 1 never dream that this was posi-
BILE? Herbert Dalrymple lives. He
will return from his self-imposed exile.
to the home of his fathers. Well why
not:o"
She rose and crossed to the mirror.
Long and intently she studied the Re.
fection of her beauty. yet with some
subtle meaning other than vanity.
-"Why not:" she said again. He will
find Dorothy waiting to welcome him
Dorothy whom he loved so Well!
Will he discover any change in her,
w6ndero Nearly three years have
passed since he babe her farewell. and
these years leave their impress. though
they will have ripened, not destroyed,
her beauty
1t was a strange soliloquy for wife
who had mourned her husband dean.
Her scrutiny ended she crossed the
floor and rang a small silver bell stand
ing upon her table. Its summons was
3instantly answered.
"Ask the gardener to send me dozen
crimson roses she ordered.
Then she chose dress of some thin,
transparent black, through which the
white neck and arms shone like gleam-
flag marble, and in a great bunch at her
waist she fastened the fragrant flow
ers. 1t was the first bit Of color She
had worm but it robbed from her dress
all it's mourning.
The lawyer already had arrived when
she entered the drawing room. He and
the dowager Lady Montfort both
glanced up, dllaZeu DIT tHe faulaul 'ls-
ion which advanced. smiling, toward
them. Mr.. Strong sprang to his feet.
Have you guessed my tidings?' he
said, eagerly. HE is on his way home
home to this country. his mother and
his wife! All my dear, he should ne.
err have let us know Of you by the
plaudits which we mistook for the en-
thusasm of boy in love. He should
have let us see you, that you might
have disarmed our suspicious. and tax.
EN- our hearts captive through our
6enseS"
"a truce to the past" exclaimed the
dowager 1.-The present and the flu
ture are too rich for us to dwell upon
it's poverty. All, Dorothy, you have
given me back my boy. Your hand has
led me to him. Can you measure my
gratitude?"
"Dear madame" was the low sweet
answer, ''you owe me nothing. 1t is
who am in your debt. Poor and home
less, you opened to me your heart and
home"
"Ah, dear! but it was so little, ana
all did then was for Herbert's sake;