The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-01-19

N.lE--E HE'FlT. 4FhH
"'Good-morning, sir! T. see you're
seeking inspiration from Mother Ma.
ture,' said he. lifting his hat; and, to
give the scoundrel his due, he's as po-
lite as any man I ever met.
"'Good-morning, SIR said I, slipping
my notes into my pocket, and looking
poaching. Yes, I'm trying to pick up
a few ideas. Somehow the house seems
to cramp one IN a morning like this
"'I'm rather pleased to have met
you,' ne said, for I wished to have q.
quiet chat with you about your neph-
ew.'
Indeed said I; and how may he
interest your
"sWell, he said, If you are a man OF
discernment. you must see that he has
taken a great fancy to my relative,
Miss Courtney. Well, since this Is q
family matter, I should like to explain
her position. Although they are living
in comparative retirement, the Court
neys have the best Of blood in their
veins. They are not SO we'll off as they
might be, but when my uncle. as I cali
him, dies, the greater part of the estate
comes to me, so that Nora's dowry will
be a very small one, and she will be de-
pendent upon me. I don't know the
extent of your nephew's resources, n
I have mentioned this matter-and you
will please observe the strictest silence
about it-because I shouldn't like 1t
of an intrigue. You know, as a man
Of the world-and that you are SO, sir.
I am sure from what I saw last night
NY "a ,,,.~ ~.,n.n5ouFss1 hour won he
could tickle ones ears with his sort
words, though one knew very well that
they were nothing but blarney from
the irish side Of him-'you know that
the world is only too apt to handy
about such names as Irish adventure
ess," and 80 forth, and they're not
pleasant hearing for the lady's friends
".I'm sure I interrupted. no one
could say that Of Miss Nora Courtney.
She's as innocent. sir, of intrigue as
as -.
Gas you are,' he suggested, and
there o are perfectly right; and I'm
glad that, If matters should ever come
to a head, we, have had this opportuni-
ty Of discussing the affair.""
NV cheeks had grown crimson as I
listened to Anguish, and at this point I
could no longer refrain from breaking
in with:
Curse him for his. consummate inn
pudence! II ever I get within reach OF
him again, Ill-In-"
Probably have to let him go! But
you are a long way of laying him by
the heels yet, MI. Tremayne, and II
you let your impetuosity carry you
away, you'll never do 1t. I'm glad to
have had this fencing match with him
when the buttons were on, and please
goodness, some day we'l have a bout
with sharper weapons. He's q keen,
observant man. and it's just as well
that / had time to trample out your
footprints. He left me to go to the
station, and I saw him of this time.
so that we can sit down for a while IN
peace. under the shadow Of our. fig tree,
or, better. perhaps, by a snug fire,
though by this day month we may look
out for squalls. Meantime, old Court
ney will cultivate you. and maybe, be-
fore the storm comes you'll be q Unit
ed Irishman, or q Fenian, or some
thing"
Anguish was perfectly right with re-
gard to Nqra's father, for I could
scarcely take my walks abroad, no
matter the direction. without meeting
him. and so eloquent was he on the
rongs Of his native land, and so we'll
up in chapter and verse as to this
and that hard treatment meted out
to his suffering countrymen, that had
/ not been behind the Genes he would
at least have deeply interested me:
and, acting under Angulsh's directions
led him on to suppose that I had the
greatest sympathy for the oppressed
and down-trodden Irish.
He had dropped In to luncheon once
or twice. but Nora, came with
him, ard I could catch no glimpse Of
her, not even on the occasion Of my
J visits to Connemara Cottage.
The spirit Of study had once more
taken possession OF Travers. and SO
Immersed was he In his books and
problems, and SO very dreamy was he
becoming, that nothing but shock
OF q very alarming nature could pos.
sibly reuse him; but that shock did
not roros to administer unless we
sorely needed his help, and to this day
/ don't believe that he realizes the ter
rible nature Of the struggle through
which we passed.
Three weeks had gone by since Dor
Vile left U ID, and n evening MT. Court
ney was. 30 pressing In his invitation,
that, without being almost rude. !
could not avoid .just dropping In, to
have a bit OF dinner and In the draw
i ing room Of the cottage I met Nora for
the frst time since I had parted from
her In the woods. as
"Mr. sTremayne.' said the old gentle-
man. as he. ushered' me In. h come
to take pot-luck With us. Nora. dear.
ana perhaps, he'll stay and have 9.
smoke mol with me afterwards. We're not
the best Of company. SIR. for, somehow.
this place doesn't seem to suit us, and
Aft.s longing we are to get back to Ire-
land. If you'll Reuse me M minute.
Nora will keep you company.
AZ soon az the door hadSclosed upon
him she said to me:
in you remember she said, what
81 told you about lending him money?
He's: going I ask you$for II tonight.
ana Il you let him have M I shall take
$it that you are trying . buy me.,3andii
M never open my lips 7 . aagaihn.5
DO ycu hear!''sshe said almost herce-
". s%s SS8 4 Il
I you tell me to refuses him. 4 said.
- shall do % TO- please Yon even
gSfhao1uaxhl II know what q enemy shall
s1uaae or Maurice D,orville.SgIs1h haze
ssioomethtng To ten you shout him. 1fsT.
spronniss not $fo lend this Inoney.willl,
You mast ! o-morTow ~ the old
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