Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-04-12
HER HEARTS Secret!
Or, UNDER A SPELL.
BY JEAN WARNER.
Or, UNDER A SPELL.
BY JEAN WARNER.

willingly. Seekin gOnly to know that it
has worthy partners in its high es-
, tate
Perhaps. said the young lady, dubl-
GuSlN. but women cannot argue about
their feelings as clevcrly as men. We
get notions without knowing why; and
though. Of course. it is an absurd idea,
could not help fancying from the first
that this Miss Waye was not the
friend that-that your mother would
have chosen for her child"
".And pray. why not" asked Herbert.
Surely YOU have some reason for Il
conclusion so very injurious to young
lady,"
do YOU ever arrive at a conclusion
without reasoning. Mr.. Clive?" was her
meaning reply. But since you force
me to be explicit. l will lsay that. from
all l have seen and heard of Miss
Wraye. l should be very 10th to admit
4 her to an intimate cOmpanionShip. /
prefer friends whose present and past
are less Shrouded in mystery. l am too
frank. perhaps: but surely. our old
friendship gives me the privilege of
speaking the truth. l only say honest
ly what others say less kindly. though
more cautiously. There. you are biting
your lips! l have offended you. For
give me if [ have presumed too far. |
promise that this subject shall never
again be broached between u.s.
They had reached the gate at Grey
lawn while she spoke. and as she
paused and held out her land. With an
expression of wistful anxiety in her
beautiful eyes. Herbert felt almost re-
morseful at the Indignation her words
had awakened.
This lovely girl was a true friend.
She spoke frankly and fearlessly. and
did she not speak the truth? What did
she know of Sybil, save that she was
fair and sweet and gentes Had not
Madam Fleury warned him that there
was an impenetrable cloud around her
pupil? Nay, had not Sybil. that very
evening told him with her own lips
that there was shadow upon her path
way. a curse upon her life? And vet he
had suffered her to be sister to his
sister He had asked her to be the wife
of his boSom-his better. dearer self. |
He loved her-loved her.
Miss Grey might well scott at the log
ic that could condense itself into such
brief words. He loved her. and would
believe nothing. hear nothing. think
nothing against her. He loved her. and
that was proof, reason. argument-all.
Very coldly he took the little jeweled
hand Miss Marian extended to him.
Very grave and courteous was his brief
response:
Il could not take offense at such dis
interested friendship. Marian, even
We're disposed to do so. Still. think
you judge her too hastily and too harsh
ly. Ills generally the purest and most
delicate nature that wells itself in wo-
manly reserve. Good-night!'' he added,
with forced playfulness, 'and don't be
jealous. Marian"
She shook her head, laughingly, but
dark change came over her face. as he
disappeared from her sight. The soft,
beautiful eyes grew hard and fierce.
and a bitter smile curled her full red
lips.
us he hooking me. wonder? Can
he know what he says! Not be jealous?
All. he little guesses the demon this
night has wakened in my heart! He
loves her-loves this sly. white-faced,
silent girl-this girl of whose past and
present he knows nothing All, Mr..
Give, 1 have heard of this mysterious
pupil Of Madam Fleury's before! You
forget that I, too, have other friends
than your foolih, light-headed sister.
Aye, have learned something of Miss
Sybil Wraye, and will learn more.
How his face flushed, how his eve
flashed, at my words! All, it was Joy,
fierce joy for ME to see him vince at
my thrusts! Yes. yes! If I know not
how to win his heart, 1 know how to
wound it. Aye. and will wound
sharply. relentlessly, with deadly aim
wound it to the core"
She entered the house. 1t was nearly
midnight. and her father was very reg
ular in his hours; but tonight a light
burned in his study, and the sound of
voices told her he was not alone.
AS she passed up to her own room
he stopped for a moment in the little
passage that connected the office with
the main house wondering. with fem
mime curiosity, what important client
was honored with an audience at this
untimely hour, for Mr.. Grey was
rigid adherent to system, and it was of
his rules to transact no legal business
after o'clock.
AS she paused in the shadow. the
study door opened land the light within
revealed one Of The noblest specimens
of manhood she had ever seen A tall,
sun-browned man, with crisp. iron-gray
curls shading a massive brow, and
whose herculean frame was not distig-
ured by his easy, careless garb, stood
upon the threshold, evidently taking
leave of her father.
''And you can do nothing for me?
Well, expected as MUCH" he was say
ing, bitterly; Though they told me you
were no toady Of that purse-proud hyp-
ocrite, on the hill. 1 could make it
worth your while to take the case in
hand
Il doubt it" was the wary old law
yer's reply. "You have no case at all,
sir, as l UNDERSTANDING proof, no wit
nesses, nothing but your own unsup
ported word"
''Do You call me liar9" was the
fierce rejoinder.
''By no MEANS" was the cool reply.
"On the contrary, am personally in
clined to credit your story, wild ana
improbable as it would seem If / at
tempted to prove it in court of just