Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-06-21


There there said the doctor. hnr-
richly. don't cry. my dear-don't cry.
I'll see your father. and if there's much
the matter. we'll have Herbert home
al once. Don't cry, There. there. be
Willis has all the influence: Humph.
A pantheress in petticoats. if ever
there was one. Been waiting TO take Il
spring this twenty years. and. l rerk-
on. has done it at last.
The concluding portion of the doc
tors speech was delivered entirely to
himself. as he followed Fannie
| through the richly-carpeted halls and
ante rooms that led to her fathers
study.
The room was already darkened.
though the last rays of sunset had not
YET faded in the west: the carved lamp
that stood on the marble center table
was turned down to feeble glimmer;
and in his easy chair before the hearth.
sat Robert Give. with bowed head and
folded arms.
AS the door opened. a slender. black
robed figure moved noiseiessly out of
the shadow al the farther end of the
room. and Mrs. Willis faced the visit
orS.
Papa. here is Dr.. Bond. said Fan.
ME. regardless of the housekeeper
mUrmurad remarks that Mr.. Give had
requested her to invite all visitors into
the parlOr. as he was DESTROYS of being
alone. Papa. you know dear nam
mas friend. and our old friend. DR..
Bond2"
Robert Give raised his head slowly.
and, prepared as the doctor was. for
change. he was. for the moment.
shocked by the hasgard countenanct,
the hollow eyes the worn and aged
expression of the man who. but few
months before had been seen in all the
vigorous prime Of manhood.
'sDr. Bond he repeated. rising. with
feeble assumption of his former
stateliness. ''Of course. my dear. l
am pleased TO see DR.. Bond. Take
seat. doctor. 1t is yery-very cold
without. Mrs. Wylli> little more
light. if you please. And perhaps the
doctor will have something warm after
his ride. II is very cold this evening
very, very cold!
He sank back in his chair rubbing
his wasted hands together before the
fire, as if he would infuse some of its
glow and fervor into his weakened
frame.
Il stepped in TO see how all were
said the doctor. cheerily. This sort
Of weather makes driedup old bach
elor long for a glimpse Of bright home
fires and glad young faces. Miss Fan
ME don't look as blooming as l have
seen her Of yore. You must keep an
eye on your roses. my dear. They
ought to bloom both winter and sum
mer. on such cheeks as yours
Miss Fannie confines herself 100
much" interposed Mrs. Wyllis. softly.
Il often tell her a brisk walk through
the woods would be good for hel
health. Thqe young need change. re-
creation. excitement"
Yes. yes said Mr.. Give. nervous
Iy: Fannie needs a change. ! have
been thinking that she ought to go to
town for the winter Mrs. Wyllis tells
me that it is lonely for young girl
here
go to town without you, papa:' eS-
claim ed Fannie. in dismay. go away
and leave You here alone? Oh. you
surely do not mean it. 1 could never
leave you here alone"
'Wyllis would give me all the atten-
ton l require" answered Mr.. Give. in
a constrained voice. SIT is quite I'M
necessary TO think Of me. I am quite
well-very we'll! Mrs. Wyllis. as you
know, my dear. attends perfectly to
my comfort and we'll being. There is
no use in your rema ming here-nOne at
all"'
''When did you hear from that wan
dering son of yours?' asked the doc
tor, changing the conversation. in pity
for the young girl. whose quiverina
lip and fearful eyes showed how keen
ly she felt her fathers words. at is
time he was thinking of a hOmewaru
journey"
Herbert? When did we hear from
Herbert?' repeated Mr.. Give. thought
fully. do you remember when we
heard from Herbert, Mrs. Wyllis:
Take seat; I did not observe you
were standing When was it we heard
from my boy?'
about two months. ago, think, SIR
said Mrs. Wyllis. whose light eyes
emitted CLEANS Of crafty triumph
whenever her master thus referred the
conversation to her You remember.
it was very short note from Paris.
stating he was about to travel East.
Eyes, yes; l remember; very short
uOte-fery SuOFt, luueeu. we udNf uOt
! heard from him since then"
81 should advise you and Miss Fan.
ME here to run over and look him up"
said the doctor. as. after a few mo
ments' longer stay, he rose to take his
leave. THE trip would do you both
good. and so would the change" he
added. with glance toward the figure
in the shadow-the noiseless woman,
who. with her nitteEed hands, folded
one above the other. saw the visitor
out. and then returned to her post in
the darkened room. where Robert
Give again bowed his head before the
fire.. like one stricken by sorrow or
shame.
You haven't taken your tonic. sir.
whispered the crafty temptress. 1T
ispast the time. l was about to hand
it to you when Miss Fannie insisted
upon introducing the doctor. much
against my remonstrances: for knew
you wished for no professional atten-
ton at ALL -
Certainly not-certainly not.'' he
answered, sharply. admit no such
visitors again. Mrs. Willis. no matter
who introduces them. Hand me the
| drug. 1t is the best physician, after
|