Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-07-19
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Or Under a Spell.
CHAPTER xxxv1u. Continued.

mean? Have you seen her?'
ooh, dear, no." answered Miss Mari
an, quickly. Il couldn't call, under
the circumstances; it would be so em-
barrassing. What could one say"
Every true" said Fenton, throwing
the fra gments Of Fannie's little note,
one by one, into the fire. What could
one say? 1t would be embarrassing.
And-and you say they have left the
Towers? l would not have time to
call; but there is a little packet
would like to-ahem!-to send to Fan
nie-to Miss Give, 1 mean-if you
would take charge Of it."
And Lieut.. Fenton Forest, as he
spoke, stammered and hesitated in a
way very foreign to his usual brazen
self-possession, and looked as a man
might look who felt himself cur OF
the lowest degree.
Indeed, you will have to excuse
me, Licuetnant"' said Miss Marian,
with a malicious little laugh. ut
wouldn't do at all for me to interfere
in such delicate matter. Send the
packet to DR.. Bond; he appears to
have constituted himself champion
of these unhappy Olives. For my part,
I think the greatest kindness we can
do them is to let them drop entirely.
Laurence has some quiXotic views up
on holding on to friends in distress;
but. as l told him last night. distress
and disgrace are vastly different in
their meaning"
Perhaps the unhappy Olives felt the
truth of their words, as. that same
evening, they turned away from the
proud home that had sheltered their
childhood, and journeyed to the hum
BILE little cottage that Herbert had
procured in a thriving little village
few miles to the north.
DR.. Bond had encouraged the young
man in his proud determination to &C
cept nothing from the wealthy kins-
man who was coming now as master
of the Towers; and through this same
true friends influence Herbert had
obtained a position in a large manu-
featuring house in the village Of P.
He seemed to have but one thought.
Self was lost sight of completely in
his careful solicitude for the gentle sis
ter now dependent upon his eXertions
the sister whose tender heart was
bleeding from so many wounds, and
who. like some tenderly -nourished
plant suddenly bereft of every other
prop. chung to him for support and
protection.
But there was one other watching
over her pathway-phcking from it
each thorn that he could reach,
smoothing it as far as was in his pow
er, Frightening it by friendly words
and cheering smiles-another, whose
kindly interest in her welfare Fannie
had learned to look upon as almost
right, so unceasing had been Laurence
Grey's efforts to aid his friends in
their hour of adversely.
He it was who had sought out and
selected their future home; had beau
titled it with a thousand little trif1cs of
which Herbert, absorbed in care and
sorrow. would have never dreamed;
had twined the ivy over the little Win
dow; chosen the pretty pictures to
hang on the whitewashed walls;
brought Fannes pet bird from the de-
serted conservatory at Give Towers,
and HerbertS cherished books from
his own corner in the library. 1t was
laurence who had been here, there
and everywhere-the patient. cheerful,
never firing. faithful friend, always
tender with a word Of hope. a deed of
help or Il smile OF cheer.
1t was Laurence who, in his fayorite
sailor costume Che had come up the
river in his yacht, met the brother
and sister at the door OF the quaint
little one-storied cottage, and was the
first to welcome them to their humble
home.
No one could tell how his strong,
brave heart was aching with tender
ness and sympathy for the graceful
girl. who. pale and sorrowful in her
deep mourning robes, had never to his
eyes looked so beautiful and wOmanly.
''It is very poor, darling said Her
bert, leading her into the little parlor,
where the bright sunlight streamed
through curtains of Laurences choos-
ing upon dainty supper table that
Laurence himself had spread; but
Laurence and l have done our best.
Won't you try to be happy even here?
We have only each other to live for
now-only each other and the kind
friends whose fidelity adversely could
not shake. Let US be happy in each
Other"
Fannie looked around her at the
snowy walls hung with her favorite
pictures; at>the little book case filled
with her favorite books; at her bird
singing in its gilGed cage; on the ivy
yelled windows and the flower stand,
glowing with the beautiful blossoms
that erst had been her especial pride
Then her eyes filled with tears. not
of sorrow, but Of gladness. and. hiding
her face ON Herbert's breast. she held
out her hand to the faithful friend at
his side.
'.You have been so kind. so good to
me- she whispered. dear brother and
dear friend! l feel as if l could be
happy here"
That evening, when Laurence had
left them, and the brother and sister
stood together by their cheerful little
fireside, Herbert. handed her the pack
ct that Fenton had sent.
Her face flushed as she broke the
seal, then suddenly grew hard and
scornful as she saw the contents. Her
own letters, full Of glrlhood's trem-
bling hopes and fears. bright with the
play Of happy fancy. tender with the
sentiments Of the wO-
man heart--her own letters, written
to Fenton Forest in her hours of Joy
and sorrow, gladness and grief; long.
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