Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-07-27
CHAPTER XyXI.

Again the Hon. JASPER Strong was
secluded in his inner office, the busy
world shut out; but he wore an air of
anxious EerpleXity, and Il frown. por-
tending heavy trouble, furrowed his
brow.
SO long had he protected the inter
ests OF the MontfortS that they seemed
to him his own. But few hours back.
and Il special messenger had brought
him. from Lady Montfort Il letter.
filled with her heartfelt gratitude for
ner boys return. accomplished through
him. and detailing her plans for the
ceremony, which she wished to be per-
formed the next day in the chapel at
tached to the castle.
He had smiled at the desire as wo-
mans whim, but whim sacred. mas
much as it was the wish of one he hon
yred. respected and loved.
Still he had held the letter in his
hands when NJ. Gervase had been ush-
cred into his presence. The conference
between the two men had been long
and earnest.
One had come forth from it with a
umph. in full possession of facts as GER
tainties which hitherto had been sus-
picions and with, as he supposed, in
EiEcible weapons in his hand against
the woman whom he lived but to pur-
sue with his vengeance and his hate.
The other had listened as in a dream,
had answered when interrogated. and
now. once more alone. stood. aged and
bowed with grief and humiliation;
grief for Lady Montfort-erief for the
man whose boyhood had been dear to
standardization that he should not
earlier have made the discovery which
was to bow down the old head and the
young in a sorrow to which all they yet
had suffered was nothing.
The memory of the day, now long
ago. when she who called herself Lady
Montfort had awaited him in the very
room. on the very spot where he now
stood, returned to him.
Again he saw the radiant, hooking
vision. He remembered the strange
Ringing of coldness and disdain which
then had marked her manner-cOld-
ness which had grown into after
warmth during her life at the castle
disdain which had softened into graft
tude.
Yet, that she might have deceived
him deceived Lady MOntfort--was all
possible. But how could she have de-
ceived her husband? Was it not in
deed. hideous nightmare which he
had unfolded to him for his credulity?
Now that Gervase had left him. he
reproached himself for having listened
to him: and yet the mans air had car
ried with it conviction. He had said:
Il am going myself to Montfort Cas-
tie. | alone must confront this woman.
BY ) O'clock this afternoon | can re-
turn. Await me here"
Should he wait. or should he take an
earlier train and go himself to Mont
fort?
He determined to do the latter. since
his Impotence had become insupporta-
BILE
Scarcely had this resolution formed
itself. than, spite Of his secret orders to
be left undisturbed. a knock sounded
at his outer door, which was opened by
one of his clerks
Pardon my disturbing you, Mr..
Strong" he said, but Lady MontfOrt
is outside
Lady Montfort! There was but one
Lady Montfort now. Could Herbert's
mother already have suspected, and, in
the EFFICIENCY Of her trouble. come to
him. rather than sit with folded hands
to wait until he might come to her?
"Rid her enter at once" he ordered,
S3fpdr s1hnd, white and trembling. to re-
ceive hor--stcod like criminal about
to receive his condemnation from the
iudrn.
But rather was he judge about to