Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-09-27
CHAPTER XIV.

Silence followed his last speech-si-
lel,ce which the woman broke; but
there was new tone and new pain
in her voice as She spoke. lt3t.
"what do you" mean?' she: said.
sspeak plainly. My brain is not clear
enough to guess at riddles"
ct mean what have said" he retort-
ed. Perhaps in my own brain the way
to the end is not quite clear; but the
end is plain enough. Grace Hawthorne
refused me.e.. You know that. Well she
must be made to accept me-"
"And to make her your wife, you
wish my help? Sooner than that"
"Hush, Helen!' he interrupted.
'You might say what we would both
regret. I said to accept me. did not
say to ratify that acceptance. Do you,
indeed. love- me so we'll, Helen, that,
possessing all my heart, you will not
let me give an empty shell to any 9TH
er?', ,;,''.' 81"
81 love you so well, Harvey" she
whispered, sthat there are moments
when I hate you. Can you understand
such love as that?"
Perhaps, ".he answered. with smile.
.sBut don't put stumbling blocks In
my way, Helen, through jealousy
which may prove fatal to US both. I
am not a candidate for n1atrimony, be-
lieve me; but not every one takes or
ders who prepares himself to do 80.
want control of Grace Hawthorne's
money, not Grace Hawthorne's self. If
I can gain for a few weeks the privi-
leges of an affianced husband. I'll take
care not to ratify the bond; but it will
leave our future free, Helen; and. If
the worst comes to the worst, why,
we'll be our own agents. What's to
gain by thwarting me? Won't you
trust my love?"
ct dare not. Harvey-I dare mott"
she answered, in, low, tremulous tones.
''How do know but, whispering love,
YOU would feel love? That lips, once
cold would turn to warmth? That from
the ashes Of the past new flame
would spring.. No. Harvey-no! Rather
than know you false to me, would
find strength to xiii: you! Ah,7 you
have been playing too long with fire.
F'iercer and brighter has the hot flame
kindled Take care that it does not
grow impatient of control, and leap in
to the masters placer
His face had grown pale as her own,
and his eyes shone luridly, while hers,
beautiful and defiant in their golden
light, met his.
'sYou are excited and overweight"
he said, gently. "Poor child! 1t is lit
tie wonder But listen. Helen. do
not propose winning this girl Through
love, but fear-fear for the man she
loves! All, a looker-on, have guessed
her secret, while she has not betrayed
herself to you. She loves your hus-
band! You doubt it? It is true!
Then, on that love we must build: Let
me approach and win her confidence.
Then will tell her that am his debt
or to the amount Of the note. will
tell sher, later, that he has paid me.
when she receives it, my signature on
its back will be explained. But I shall
have gained her confidence, and she
will be ready to make me further adj
yances to save his honor. You see,
Z dear: this ID IS not SAVIOR muchso OF fuvg7
making. Al Helen, what could sny;
< woman hopa to be to me while you
K live? Let ne work out the means: for
4 ,oiir future, 4dear-a future When. we
may defy T1m Window to sMreaM bis
worst, inas1 lch as we have no secrets
from each ofter." /;
She lifted her eyes to his. and he
& Knew that r he's: conquered-taat-
through her love she had put into his
sSand 8 new pos-ser tgeaeh-
a No pleased fiji senses. 1t was true.
81 ~ ~ fsttsred his feet. and he could
's42ss * IL i ,4is ss 81 "a