Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-06-21
CHAPTER XXI.
Gathering Clouds.

The SHOWS OF December were WDlt-
enjns the 1urrets and gables Of Give
Towers: the forest was bleak wider
ness. through whose naZes the winter
wiEdS sighed and raved: the coy lit
tie cottage of DR.. Bond was almost
lost sight Of in the white waste sur
rounding it,
But though the diamond panes Of
his little shady window were we'll
nigh covered with snow wreaths. and
his one small factorum-a crisp haired
Z u.at,o boy-UaS making futile eff
forts Ia shovel passage way TO the
gate he doctors serenity was undis-
rurLe1. and he SAT before a huge ire
with Il large medical book in his hand.
The p,.lll>ai rf which appeared 10 at
FORE. ni'i. perfect satisfaction.
''Seasona Bile weather" said the Coo
tor rising al laS'. and rubbing his
hands together before the CHEEKY fire.
Whit" winters are not the kind TO MI
doctors pockets. Good. fierce. snap
ping frosrS strike sense into people.
They take 10 red flannel and thick
shoes. Then. naturally. yo'l can't per-
suade man. woman or child what a
cold is. until Jack Frost nips their
noses for them. and gives them his
promise 10 pay Hello"'-a horsemah,
stopping at the gaze. interrupted the
old mans satisfied reyery-"who is
fool enough 10 turn out such a day as
Ibis: Young Grey. the lawyers son!
Must be a matter Of life and death that
brings such steady going fellow as
he is through such a storm. Come i'll,
sir-come IN. Don't stand shaking
Your self all day on the door-mat.
There's no woman here to look sour at
a sprinklng of snow in the hall. Come
in 10 the fra right away. There 3
liquor Oh the sideboard yonder; but
forgot-you don't drink. All the better
for you in the long run. Sit down.
then. and get warm. Don't say a
word until you are warm through"
I'm not at ell cold.now sir. An.
>wered Laurence. as he obeyed the old
doctors hospi1able injunc1ions. Il
came up home for the holidays last
evening. and have taken the earlies,
opportunity
'-Of paving your respects to me. eh:"
said III" doctor. grnly. Come. young
man. out with il. What's the matter?
/ don't doubt your friendly feelings:
but they wouldn't have brought you
oilf for a social call on day like
this"
II was UP AT the Towers last night"
continued Laurence. gravely, land /
could not help noticing the change in
in Mr.. Give. Ny deep interest in all
thai concerns Herbert and''-be paused
ere he added-"his sister. makes me-
perhaps. unduly observing: but it
seems to HE. sir. that he is much brok
en- within the last few months-So
much 50 that / determined TO consult
you as to the propr.ety Of informing
Herbert Of his fathers condition at
once
''Humph." multnred the old doctor.
giving Laurence a keen look over his
spertacles: 'do YOU happen to know
where Herbert is, young man.:
Il bay" not heard Of him for several
months" answered Laurence: but
suppose a letter addressed 10 his bank
ers in Paris will find him.
NO person else has heard Of him
for several months."' continued the
Doctor dirty. He ought to be at home
now sir-he ought TO be at home. It's
none Of my business. for Robert Give
has never consulted me either as to his
health or rrudencc-but he's breaking
fast. He has never been the same
since the wreck Of the Ocean Queen.
He first weakened then. body and
mind. ard he's been weakening ever
since. That one week during which he
thought his son was lost broke his
spirit forever. Yes. sir-yes.' added
the doctor. abstractly resting his hand
on the ivory miniature he always wore
hidden in his breast: ''let slep1ics talk
as theN please. a just God rules the
, world. and. sooner or later His justice
triumphs over all things
Miss Fannie"-the young mans hes
irating mention Of her name was not
|, lost Oh his listener-''Miss Fannie tells
! me- her father keeps TO his room nearly
all he tine-that for days together she
never sees him. She seemed very much
depre ssed. ANA anxious for her broth
er's return. Poor girl added I.au-
renee with a sigh; ''sorrow is new to
hgr. She needs q friend
where's that young jackanapes she
is going to marry?" asked the doctor.
abruptly WHATS his name-Wood,
Grove. Forest? Oh, yes, Forest. Where
Is he?"
''Fenton Forest answered the
young man. somewhat stiff1y. ''He is
off on duty just now"
"t'lad to hear it. Best to keep him
on duty" said the DOCTOR gruffiy. II
hope he'll stay on duty for the remain
der Of his life. Women are fools-the
best Of them-when ii cores to choos-
ing mate for life they look at the fine
feathers first. A pair of shoulder
straps and dozen gilt buttons have
made manga wretched match. Well,
it's meme Of my business, Of course. hun
! like that little girl and her brother,
and II there's to be a, crash, Id like to
have them stand clear. But don't
know-I'm not much of a Bible schol-
ar. bnt there Is n verse you may have
! heard Of keeps running In my head.
And. with n solemnty that puzzled
Laurence. the old man laid his hand
upon his arm, and added. impressive.
~: THE sins of the father shall be
| visited upon the children. even to the
third and fourth generation" l'n 70
/ up 10 the Towers this evening and See