Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-06-14

over his life-whom he had lost in the
green heart of his native fOreSt-what
madness led him to believe he could
find her here? The midnight song, the
midnight vision, were born only of his
own morbid fancy. Ii he would not
go utterly mad he must give up this
fruitless Quest-the hope that was
clouding his reason, upsetting his phil
osopLy. He must give up the wild
idea that Sybil lived. And yet-and
yet, that tear. that whisper, that had
been but portions Of fever-dream:
1.-The pale lady with the golden hair,
dashed to Il spar!'
The fisherman's words haunted
him. despite himself. Surely. he could
discover who that pale lady was and
| whittier she had gone.
Absorbed in his own contending
thoughts. Herbert was slowly walking
along through the quieteSt and most
aristocratic portion of the town. where
the decayed gentry of other days still
kept up a feeble appearance of i'm
portance, when he suddenly became
conscious that he was followed.
A young girl whose bright black
eyes glittered roguishly beneath her
high peasant cap, was coming down
the street, shyly watching him. as if
anxious to speak.
Herbert waited for her With an en-
coIraging smile.
sit is-ah, yes! it must he Monsieur
Give" she said, looking up into his
face. "AIonsieur. you have given me
chase this morning. | have been
waiting, and watching and following
YOU ever since YOU left LIE PrOvi-
dence."
watching for me?' repeated Her
bert, in surprise.
YES" answered the girl, with a
merry laugh. DOUBTLESS monsieur
thinks 1 am very bold. or he is very
charming; but, although Nanette is
no angel, she is also no fool 1 have
something for monsieur. See!"-shc
held up a dHinty enyelOpe-''some-
thing that wish to give him alone
Herbert took the little missive ca
gerly, slipping a bright silver piece
into the little messengers hand.
'No, no. said Nanette. Il have
been paid already. monsieur-better
than paid in gold.;'
"Wbere did you get this?" inter-
rupted Herbert. his eyes flashing as
he turned upon the girl. care you
mixed up in plot to madden me?
Child, child, where, from whom did
you get this lettcr?rell re, and 1 will
triple that piece in your hands!'
Monsieur asks too much,' was the
girls laughing answer. Il have told
him I was already paid
but you know-you saw the person
who gave YOU this?' said Herbert, ex-
citedly.
Perhaps" she answered, with an
arch smile. "But there are times
when even wild Nanette is blind and
dumb Though''-Narette sank her
voice to a cautious whisper-"I would
advise monsieur to use both eyes and
ears-and use them we'll "
She nodded merrily as she tripped
away. leaving Herbert gazing after
her in speeches. amazement.
Then. glancing at the paper he held
in his hand, he read again the words
that seemed to have come at this mo-
ment as if to lure him further on his
hopeless search:
"Grieve no longer for me, true and
faithful friend. 1 have witnessed
your love and your despair, and every
pang of your noble heart adds a new
pain to mine The life that now opens
before me is one that can share with
none. Yet the heart. that l believed
had ceased to throb with earthly feel
ings, quivered anew at you presence.
Our peace lies in being far apart. l
go from you forever. 1t has been
sweet to feel that, though invisible, l
was near you; but that sweetness
like all that have ever known, was
Enrplf that /
cannot say; but think Of me as one
whose bleak and barren future is
frightened by one sunbeam of mem.
cast uDon her clouded path