Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-10-31
CHAPTER XIV.
Humpy Jacks Discovery.

Shirley Austin's first step was to go
directly to the Office of his friend, DR..
Bethune. 1t had, indeed, been his IN
tention to do so on the previous night,
but the bitterness of his disappointment
in being refused an interview With
Clarice had put it out Of his thoughts.
He was shown at once into the doc
tors private office, where he found his
friend, but not-as he at first thought
alone.
A lady was seated at little distance,
but her face was turned away so that
he failed to recognize her.
At the first sound of his voice, how
ever, she started, rose quickly and came
toward him. Her face was very pale
and she was visibly agitated, but he
recognized her instantly, and he re-
coiled as if from the advance of a dead
ly reptile.
'Forgive me-forgive mel" cried
Adele Lingard. "You must forgive me!
I have come all the way from Australia
to beg your forgiveness and his''-turn-
ing toward DR.. Bethune. Frank hasn't
refused me, though I fear he loves me
no more, and injured him even worse
than I did you. Oh, Mr.. Austin, have
pity on me! See-I am kneeling at
your feet. Forgive mel"
DR.. Bethune was at her side, and had
raised her from the floor, and now sup
ported her With his arm, even while she
spoke.
you will forgive my wife, Shirley"
he said, in a low tone, while Adele, soo-
bling convulsively, hid her face on his
shoulder.
"Your wife?" repeated Shirley, in
credulously.
Yes; we were married this morn
ing" continued DR.. Bethune. when i
returned yesterday I found Adele and
her father awaiting me. They both
wished it. I can say no more. You
know she is the only woman I have
ever loved, or ever could love, and you
may remember my conviction that she
would yet come to me, and my theory
that such love as hers for you was but
a temporary insanity, and to be borne
with patiently, like other forms of ma
MIA. I will not say that my love for,
Adele is quite what it was, but I be-
lieve her when she says that she really
| loves me now. And we are going to try
to make each other happy"
| Adele looked up with grateful smile,
while a deep blush overspread her face
when her eyes first met those Of Shic-
!! ley.
She put her hand up with shy, gen.
| tie caress to her husbands cheek, and
then dropped her head again upon his
shoulder.
Shirley turned away with an almost
! contemptuous shrug. He was inclined
| to be- Gisgusted with his friend, and did
| not pause to inquire how he he would
have behaved under similar circum-
| stances. Such thought would have
seemed absurd, since Clarice could do
| no wrong, and, therefore, could never
require. forgiveness.
"You won't refuse to forgive my
wife," Dr.. Betiune repeated, reproach-
fully.
| But his friend had made no answer
to that question.
II owe my life to you. Frank. You
know can refuse you nothing!' Shir-
ley answered, with considerable feeling.
81 DO forgive this la6y-at least I will
do so when have forgotten my own
suffering; and l nope soon to be happy,
| enough to forget past misery. But /
came to consult You alone and ask your
advice"
| Dri Bethune lei his Wife to the door
and gently babe her leave them for 4
| while.
| AS soon as the door had cloisG after
| her he turned to Shirley.
| ~ suppose you despise me, old Eel.
low" he said gaily, "but l am too hap.
Ply to care even for that. True love Is
wholly unselilsh, ana is above caring
| TO" what others think"
II hespise no man for loving truly,
| however mistakenly" returned Shirley.