Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-10-31
CHAPTER xx1v-toontihued.)

said Mrs. Martin, bitterly. would he
had died before I ever saw him! He
has brought blight and desolation into
my life. But, come, Bertha, rouse
yourself. Shake off this hopeless, USE
less infatuation. What If he has gone?
There are thousand nobler and finer
men in the world. What nonsense,
child! Has the sun gone out of the
heavens because one silly young man
has failed to return the affection of a
certain silly young lady-who is, not
withstanding, thousand times too
good for fim?"
Its no use, mamma, dear! You are
kind-you are good. But he's all the
world to me, and can never look upon
his like again. 1t will kill me, that's
all; but you mustn't be angry with
me, because you see I can't help it,
Mrs. Martin stamped her foot with
impatience. She could have taken to
her arms and caressed and comforted
the girl for love and pity; but she
feared to encourage folly by such a
course. She could have shaken and
reproached Bertha for the helpless
weakness that made the girl ready to
give up existence without struggle,
one thought on her and never would.
The troubled mother was torn with
anxiety, impatience, love and pity; yet
she knew not what course to take with
Bertha, or what words were best to
say. With a groan of despair, she
sank down beside the GIRL and hel
heart ached for the haggard, worn
young face-the dearest face to her in
all the world.
"When did he go?" She asked, her
voice harsh and stern with suppressed
emotion.
"About an hour ago, mamma; but he
will return to thank you for all your
kindness. 1t is only that I shall not
see him any more. I couldn't bear 1t,
and 1 do not wish it; for, after hearing
from his own lips how he loves-oh'
heaven-adores is more near the mark
how he worships Clarice, can never
see him again. 1t is all the same as II
she were already his wife, since she
loves him, too; and 1 dare not see him
again, to feel myself in love With an
other wo1nans husband. Oh, I shall
die of the shame! But did not realize
it until I heard him speak of Clarlce.
"And yet she refused to see MIN
when he called there yesterday MIS-.
Martin burst out.
Eyes; but there must have been
some one who forced her to do so; and
Shirley-Mr. Austin, 1 mean-thinks ne
understands it all now. Some one has
been silly enough to suspect him OF
Uncle Philips death-so awful, and yet
so foolish, that any one should have
such an idea!-and he is now going to
find the real criminal, and so bring
himself again to Clarice-Oh. me! 1
cannot speak of it any more"
But why has he told all this to
you?"
ooh. mamma, I suppose instinct told
him that I would sympathize with MIN
in any trouble. He said it all In sort
of accidental way, when he was bidding
me goodbye. He must have seen that
was agitated; for, indeed, couldn
conceal that; tut he didn't suspect the
cause. He began by saying that he felt
how good and kind and entle was. l.
thought-but what matter about my
foolish thought? It was all wrong.
Then he added that he would always
feel toward me as if he had in me the
kindest and best sister in the world.
Ard, somehow, from that, he began
talking Just as if he were thinking
aloud, and before I could stop him he
had told me his entire story from the
time he fell in love with Clarlce TIL
now 1t was a sad story, and 1 Wept
for him, too, though it almost killed me
to hear him say how he loved another
woman"
81 think him a conccited fool-a vain,
Dragging coxcomb!' Mrs. Martin said,
bitterly, land as heartless as he is
vain!"
"No, mamma, mol won't hear one
word against hin!' Bertha protested.
''How could he know how it panied me
to listen? But I love him the more
when I see how true, how noble and
constant lover he can be-"
Mrs. Martin stamped her foot with
angry impatience.
'Let me hear no more of him, nor OF
this folly" she said. Where is Let
ty?"
LEFTY went out short time after
you, mamma" Bertha answered, TAX
ing letter from her pocket. "She left
this for you, and she kissed me many
times and cried over me. Dear Lefty,
I think she pites me, for she is so hap
py herself"
Mrs. Martin tore open the letter and
glanced rapidly at it's contents. She
uttered a sharp cry and fell back. gasp
ing and choking.
"she has left us-run away!" she said,
almost inaudibly. There, read for
yourself. Oh, God, my punishment IS
too hard! 1 have only striven and
schemed for my children; I have done
no great wrong!"
Bertha took the letter, terrified. Her
mothers words seemed to her like the
raving Of dcliriunl. With an effort che
composed herself and tried to find out
the cause by reading her sisters letter.
Lefty was brief and to the point. Sh.
wasted no words
Dear mamma" she wrote. II have
gone to my husband. That word will
surprise you: but read the copy OF my
marriage certificate, which l enclose,
and then you will understand me bet
ter. We will come to you for your for
giVcness and blessing soon: meantime.
do not be angry with your little girl be-
AZ