Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-10-11
She turned toward the former,
him to follow her. and walk
ing swiftly through it into the music

sciously as she had stood on the day
she had challenged him as to the In
depreciation Of his threat, with one
hand resting on the piano for support.
She drew long, dep rbetha n . Val
She drew a long, deep breath, as If to
inspire herself with courage. Before
her was a hard task, and she must not
finch. She had played with life until
to-day. Now life was about to play
with her. She had need of all her
strength to meet the conflict.
I'VE are secure from Interruption
here" she said, after very little until,
almost imperceptible pause. you see
that have sent for you, Mr.. Barclay.
Have you guessed why?'
II understand that Mr.. Reynolds has
been taken very i'll, Miss Hawthorne.
1 am more than honored that you
should have remembered me, and beg
that you will command my services in
any way"
Don't make explanations harder for
me, Mr.. Barclay" she replied. Uncle
Edgar is very i'll; but there is more
than this. You-you accepted a note
some time since for Harry which
which I signed. Will you tell me if it
was to you alone he owed this large
amount? or what may be the claim of
this other man whose name is Endorsed
upon it?"
Harvey Barclays lips trembled be-
meath his mustache, and his pale cheeks
grew paler. The time had come when
he could no longer shift responsibility,
but must act and act fearlessly and
boldly. The girl dealt with facts as
facts. She had a clear, Straightforward
way Of looking at the truth, and fore
ing others to view it from her owl.
standpoint. In her own nature was no
subterfuge-no need of subterfuge. It's
utter absence disarmed her enemies.
There was one tiny moment when
something in Harvey Barclays nature
rebelled at Harvey Barclays self-the
something which had tempted him once
to say, II was not born a villain, but
fate has made ME understanding
which cried out to him to throw off this
hideous mask he wore, and, looking in
the young, beautiful and anguished face
before him, kneel at her feet and, avow-
ing all his fault, sue for her pardon and
her mercy. But, even as the thought
was formed, it was scattered.
Should he throw away the prize he
held at last within his grasp? Once his
wife, he might avow to her the truth.
"You ask me very difficult question,
Miss Hawthorne" he said, speaking
with evident effort. Surely, when you
signed" emphasizing the word, chat
note, Mr.. Reynolds explained to you its
purpose?"
"No," she answered, and the false
hood brought the color momentarily
back to her face. "He-he only said
that he had need of my signature, ana
II gave 1t to him. He knew that all
my fortune was and is at his disposal
He had no need to make explanation
for its USE
you are most generous, Miss Haw-
thorne," replied her nearer. with a
scarcely perceptible Sheer. "And, par
don me, you are very young; but may
I ask why you consider it necessary to
come to me for explanation, since you
desired none from him?"
Only, Mr.. Barclay, because most I'M
eXpectedly, owing to my guardians ILL
ness, I find myself called upon to act
for myself. The bank officials were
foolish enough to fancy they detected
some inaccuracy in the signature of
this note, and sent to make sure that it
was mine. They may be treasured on
that point at once. My uncle was TAX.
en- ill while their messenger was wait
ing. simply told him that the sigma
ture was mine, and that I wished the
note paid at once. He returned not
long after, stating that my balance in
bank represented but half the actual
amount. Until Uncle Edgar is better.
hardly know how to make provision
for the rest; and so sent for you, Mr..
Barclay. to ask if you were Harrys
only creditor, If there was not some
way by which you could extend the
time Of payment for the sum have, in
my ignorance Of business matters, left
unprovided for?"
Suppose, Grace" he answered, very
slowly, fixing his eyes on her face as he |
spoke, 'that tell you have some rea-
son to share the suspicious of the bank,
and that mine are not so easily laid to
rest? Suppose I acknowledge to you
that believe this signature of yours to
be a forgery-a forgery cleverly perpe-
trated by one who boosted, in my pres
ence, of his ability to sign your name;
who, in my presence, asked you to spare
him the punishment consequent upon
such an act. You promised-did you
not? And to-day-to me-you take the
first step toward redeeming your word.
But, my child, you cannot deceive me.
I know the truth"
Grace's face was no longer pale; 1t
was CHASTITY. Her worst fears had TAX
en- actual shape. No danger threaten
ing herself could have made of her a
coward; but this was danger to Harry,
danger to him she loved-danger which,
to reach him, must pass through her
heart. Yet. with all hep soul scorning
him, her love refused to lower it's proud |
crest ever so little. Judgment, reason,
alike denied him. Her heart still ac-
knowledged him. A piteous expression
of fear crept into her deep-blue eyes,
and quivered about the corners Of her
lovely mouth.
Tit is false, what you say" she
said. at last. with a painful effort. IL
signed the note. I swear it!'
Then you will not fear to avow and
prove this fact in court, Miss Haw-
thorne?" he answered. coldly.
Grace, said Harvey, and now new
tenderness had crept into his tone, "you
IL