Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-10-23

no difference to an expert like your
self" Enid went on, with cold con-
tempt. You took advantage OF my
aunt's misfortunes. All, she is diff
feren t woman since Lord Littimcr
came here. But her sorrow has
crushed her down, and that forgery OF
the ring you dangled before her eyes
deceived her."
son said, brazenly.
And you can look me in the face
and say that? One night Lady Litti-
mer snatched it from you and ran into
the garden. You followed and strug-
gled for the ring. And Mr.. David
Steel, who stood close by. felled you
to the earth with blow on the side OF
your head. l wonder he didn't kill
you. should have done so in his
place. And yet. it would be pity to
hang anyone for your death. See
here!"
Enid produced the ring from her
pocket. Lord Littimer looked at it in
tently
Have you seen this before, my
dear?" he asked his wife.
MANY time, Lady Littimer said.
sadly. Take it away it reminds me
of too many bitter memories. Take it
out of my sight"
AN excellent forgery" Littimer
murmured "a forgery calculated to
deceive many experts even. will
compare it with the original by-and-
by"
Henson listened with sinking feel
ing at his heart. Was it possible he
wondered. that Lord Littimer had
really recovered the original? He had
had hopes of getting it back even now.
and making it the basis of terms of
surrender. Lady Littimer snatched the
ring from Littimer's grasp and threw
it through the open window into the
garden.
She stood up facing Henson, her
head thrown back, her eyes flaming
with new resolution. 1t seemed
hardly possible to believe that this
fine, handsome woman with the white
hair could be the poor demented
creature that the others once had
known.
Reginald Henson, listen to me" she
cried. For your own purpose you cru
ely and deliberately set to, work to
wreck the happiness of several lives.
For mere money you did this; for
sheer love of dissipation you commit
ted this crime. You nearly deprived
me of my reason. say nothing about
the money, because that is nothing in
comparison. But the years that are
lost can never come back to me again.
When think of my past and the past
of my poor, unhappy boy, feel that l
have no forgiveness for you. If you-
Oh, go away; don't stay here-go! If
1 had known you were coming should
have forbidden you the house. Your
mere presence unnerves me. Litti-
mer, send him away"
Littimer rose to his feet and rang
the bell.
You will be good enough to rid me
of your hateful presence" he said, "at
once; now go!"
But Henson still stood, irresolute.
He fdgeted from one foot to the other.
He seemed to have some trouble that
he could find no expression for.
Il want to go away" he murmured.
II want to leave the country. But at
the present moment l am practically
penniless. If you would advance
me"
Littimer laughed aloud.
Upon my word" he said, "your
GOODNESS is colossal. am going to
prosecute you. am doing my best to
bring you into the dock. And you ask
meme, of all men-to find you mon
ey so that you can evade Justice!
Have you not had enough-are you
never satisfied? Williams, will you
see Mr.. Henson off the premises?"
The smiling Williams bowed low.
with the greatest pleasure, my
lord,' he said. Any further orders,
my lord?"
"And he is not to come here again,
you understand
Williams seemed to understand, per-
fectly. With one backward, sullen
glance, Henson quilted the room, and
passed into the night with his compan-
ion. Williams was whistling, cheer
fully, with his hands in his pockets
SIS that how you treat gentle
man," Henson demanded.
Il ain a gentleman" Williams said.
Never set up to be. And amt dirty
rascal who has just been kicked out of
a nobleman's house. Here, stop that!
Try that game again, and I'll call the
dogs. And don't show me any of
your airs, please. L monty a servant.
but I'm an honest man."
Henson stifled his anger as best he
could. He was too miserable and
downcast to think of much besides
himself at present. Once the lodge
gates were open, Williams stood aside
for him to pass. The temptation was
irresistible. And Henson's back was
turned. With kick of concentrated
contempt and fury Williams shot Hen.
son into the road, where he landed full
on his face. His cup of humiliation
was complete.
CHAPTER I.VT