Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-07-31
The CrimS0n
o. p. y: !':;: 3Gnd

roof again? The amazing impudence
of the fellow is beyond everything. He
will probably reach the Moreton Sta
ton by the 10 o'clock train. The drive
will take an hour. if choose to permit
the drive, which l don't. I'll send
groom to meet the train with a letter.
When Bell has read that letter he will
not come here"
Il don't think should do that" Hen
son said. respectfully.
Indeed! You are really clever fell
low. And what would you do?"
II should suffer Bell to come. AS
Christian I should deem it my duty to
do so. 1t pains me to say so. but I am
afraid that I cannot contravert your
suggestion that Bell is a scoundrel. 1t
grieves me to prove any man that. And
In the present instancethe proofs were
overpowering. But there is always
chance-a chance that we have mis-.
judged a man on false evidence"
False evidence! Why, the Rem
brandt was actually found in Bells
portmanteau."
Dear friend, 1 know It," Henson
said. with the same slow. forgiving
smile. But there have been cases Of
bAoSn SISdSuSIS, udI N SoLlSP1l S1SACS SAAeAS
one abhors. And Bell might have made
some stupendous discovery regarding
his character. l should see him. my
lord; oh. yes. I should most undoubted,
ly see him."
"And so should l." Chris put in.
swiftly.
Littimer smiled, with all traces of his
ill-temper gone. He seemed to be con-
templating Henson with his head on
one side, as If to fathom that gentle
mans intentions. There was just the
suspicion of contempt in his glance.
I'm the presence Of so much good
ness and beauty, feel quite lost" ne
said. Every we'll. Henson, I'll see Bell.
1 may find the interview diverting."
Henson strolled away, with a sigh OF
gentle pleasure. Once out of sight, he
flew to the library. where he scrubbed
couple of kilograms. They We're care
fully wordei, and related to some apoc-
1yphal parcel required without delay,
end calculated to convey nothing to
the lay mind. A servant was dis
patched to the village with them. Hen
son would have been pleased had he
known that the fascinating little Amer
lean had waylaid his messenger and
read his kilograms. under the plea of
verifying one of the addresses. A mo-
lnent or two later and those addresses
We're carefully noted down in pocket
book.
It was past before Chris found her
self with little time on her hands
again. Littimer had kept her pretty
busy all the afternoon. party because
there was much to do but partly from
the pleasure that he derived from his
secretary's society. He was more free
with her than he had been with any Of
her sex for years. 1t was satisfactory
too, to learn that Littimer regarded
Henson as a SNUG and oily hypocrite
and that the latter was only going to be
left Littimer Castle to spite the owners
other relations.
"Now you run into the garden and
get a blow Littimer said, at length.
II am telling you lot too much. I am
afraid yo., are a most insinuating
young person."
Chris ran into the garden gaily. De-
spite the crushing burden on her Shout
ders, she felt an elation and a flow of
spirits that she had not been conscious
of for years. The invigorating air Of
llle IldCe SSclilCu " nav 6'I AAisO AANA
veins, the cruel depression of the House
of the Silent Sorrow was passing away.
! Again she had youth and hope on her
side, and everything was falling out
/ beautifully. 1t was pleasanter world
than Chris had anticipated.
She went along more quietly after a
time. There was a tiny arbour on a
terrace overlooking the sea to which
Chris had taken particular fancy.
She picked her way daintily along the
grass paths between the roses until she
suddenly emerged upon the terrace She
: had popped out Of the roses as swiftly
as a squirrel peeps from tree.
Somebody was in the arbor, two peo-
ple talking earnestly. One man stood
, up. with his back to Chris, one hand
gripping the outside ragged bark of the
arbor frame with peculiarly nervous,
, restless force. Chris could see the hand
turned back distinctly. A piece of bark
was being crumbled under strong
thumb. Such thumb! Chris had seen
nothing like it before.
1t was as If at some time 1t had been
| smashed fiat with a hammer, broad
I strong, cruel-iooking thumb, fiat and
! sinister looking as the head Of snake.
| In the center, ike pink pearl dropped
. in a filthy gutter, was one tiny, per-
| fectly- formed nail.
! The ownar Of the thumb stepped back
the better to give way to fit Of hoarse
/ laughter. He turned slightly aside, and
his eyes met those of Chris. They were
small eyes, set in coarse, brutal face
the face of criminal, Chris thought. If
she were judge of such matters. II
J came quite a shock to see that the
stranger was in clerical garb.
IL beg your pardon" Chris STAN
mered "But L"
! Henson emerged from the arbor. For
! once in a way he appeared confused
] there was a flush on his face that tolG
of annoyance Unsurpassed.
please don't go away he said
"Mr. Merritt will think he has alarmed
| you. Miss Lee, this is my very gooc
friend and co-worker in the field, tbs
Reverend James Merritt"
'.Is Mr. Merritt friend of Lord LIZ
timer's?" Chris asked, demurely.
"Littimer hates the CLOTH Henson
replied. Indeed, he has no sympathy
whatever with my work. ! met my