Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-10-04

her face grow sudd denly white. and her
eyes, with hunted look Of fear, liked
on some object near.
Her own gaze followed them. The
object was man. He mottoned tins
coachman to stop as her glance fellsup-
on him. III Z. S5{s &c
The driver drew rein, turning, az he
did so. to his young mistress TOT ap-3
prevail Of the act.
The stranger approached the car
riage.
you've agreed to my terms? he
asked, insolently, neither touching nor
lifting his hat as he spoke.
Helen Reynolds will did not fail her.
now. She drew herself up haughtily.
def1antly She knew not what his next
words would be, but she would give no
outward sign Of the terrible fear which
was gnawing at her SOUL lest the beau
tiful fabric of responsibility she had
reared with such infinite cost, should ne
RACED to the ground.
Eyes, have agreed" size replied.
you're not lying? It's all right?"
'It's all right" she answered.
"well. give my compliments to him."
he said. you needn't add my thanks.
ana, IuTuHlS uHOu A1o ACSA 09 eva W.
" as he had approached, he walked
away.
Grace's face was equally pale with
Helen's, as, motioning the coachman 70
drive on, she turned to her for some
explanation of the strange scene
Tit is one of Harry's creditors!"
gasped the unhappy woman. whose
self-control had now forsaken her.
And with a long, deep shudder as sne
spoke, her head fell back among the
cushions Of the carriage; and she
swooned away.
At sound of wheels, Harry, opening
the door, came down the steps to ASSIST
the door, came down the steps TO ASSIST
them to alight.
Never, thought Grace, Indignantly,
had she seen him look younger nahu-
somer-never did care seem SO reiho.e
a burden.
cat last!" he cried, gaily. II was
growing impatient for YOUR coming
L" 49,,
He paused abruptly.
Something in Grace's eyes hushed
his further utterance. 1t seemed 10
they were burning some bitter reproach
sYour wife has fainted!" she said,
CURLY.
"Helen?" he questioned, in quick
alarm, yet even in that moment Wond-
ering at the strangeness of the manner
with which she broke to him sucn
news. What has happened?
Grace youchsafed no further reply:
But as he lifted his still unconscious
wife in his arms and bore her into the
house, another scornful glance from
her blue eyes flashed into his.
A few moments only had elapsed be-
fore Helen lifted her eyelids and looked
about her with a frightened glance:
But only her husband was beside her.
..What happened, dear? he asked.
when she had more fully recovered.
"Grace seemed, I fancied by her man
ner. to hold me in some way respon-.
sible. Had you been relating my mani
fold sins until you awakened her in
dignation, and are they OF omission or
commission, dear?"
Neither" she answered, YEARLY. and
with touch of petulance in her man,
ner. You have no sins except to bear
the burden of mine. Harry, would you
be glad If you had never seen meg
Would you be glad to waken some day
and find it was dream, and that was
not your wife,"
He bent and hushed her lips with
kisses,
"My darling, have never ceased to-
be thankful to God for the great gift
of your love!" he said, earnestly Are
you not we'll, dear? Would you like to
go away? Shall take you abroad?"
The idea burst upon her like. a CLEAN
from Heaven.
Abroad-away from all this trouble
away from the spectre Of the. past
away from
Her thought checked ITSELF.
Away from Harvey! All, could she
bear that? Did not one touch of his
hand, one low whisper from his lips,
atone to her for all she suffered for his
sake?
No, no-she could not go; and yet to
stay, when any day, any hour, Tom
Window might tear the mask from her
face and show her as she was!
LET us go-let us go!' she cried, in
the revulsion wrought by this awful
fear. 1--WE cannot go to soon. To-
morrow, Harry-let us sail tomorrow"
He took up paper from the table
near his hand.
1.-THE Servia sails week from Thurs
day, April third" he answered. I'VE
will go in her.
Helen shuddered as he. named the
date, for on April the, note Endorsed
in Grace Hawthorne's name fell due.
''You will go with US, Grace?" asked
Harry, as they discussed the plan next
morning, at the breakfast-table.
IT cannot leave uncle" answered the.
girl, with glance Of deep love toward
the old man, and bravely concealing
the sinking at her OWN heart, as she
thought how desolate the house would
seem during the long months Of his abb
sence.
It almost seemed to her, as though
his very fault, and the. fact that in
some measure she could guard him
from its consequences had endeared
him to her; and since Harvey Barclay
had 80 cruelty wrested tine covering
from her poor little secret, and SO ruth,
lessly let in the glaring light Of day. to,
serve Harry, however une0nsciously.
to him that service was, performed rem
dered her burden lighter and eased the
ceaseless pain at her heart