Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-12-11


| cups and plates, few egg shells and
some dry toast.
Julia looked in and said, sneeringly:
Ralph. see you haven't gotten
over your fine, gentlemanly notions.
But then, tbs not everyone who can
have his mother for his servant. Hur-
~ her up, if she's not quick enough !;
but, above all things, fee her, for she
| needs little cash"
Ralph kept up an appearance of good
temper.
Thank you for your kind advice, my
DEAR" he said. Let US take stroll
after have broken my fast, and will
discuss with you plan by which we
may come to a position where we may
be able to fee some one again."
81 shall be very happy to take such
a walk" she said, with strong tone
Of incredulity in her voice.
every we'll, then. shall be ready in
half an hour. do not feel the calls of
appetite very strong this morning."
Julia left him and went on with her
household work, which she always did
with an inward, and very often, an out
ward protest.
Ralph was probably only giving
vent to one of his odious jokes she
thought. as she swept. "He won't
work long. and that is the only way
for us ever to get any money-since
can't see man outside of this village
and rich men don't abound here. I'm
not sure but it would be a good IN
vestment for Ralph to take me to the
city and give me chance. Perhaps
that is what he is thinking Of"
She went up stairs to hel, own room,
put on her hat and wrap. and though
both had cost her but little, she wore
them with the air of an empress. To
lie across her shoulders made wool
en- wrap have the air of cashmere.
riage drive until her brother joined
ton Of the wood, which had once been
had been sold, like nearly everything
else. by their father.
cts horrid to walk about here!"
petulantly exclaimed Julia, "for you
can only 60 on land that once belonged
to us; there's nothing here but re.
minders Of OUR poverty"
OC CAOu8uy 1CplCO uCl VI OIuc1,
slowly pufhng at his cigar, "but feel
buy back some Of these acres before
the year Is out"
Julia looked at him quickly and ca
gerly.
How" she asked, drawing nearer.
"Well, have plan; but fear it
can never amount to anything if you
don't become partner in it"
"I'll become partner in anything
that will bring money, was the imme-
date response.
Ralph looked at her with kind of
admiring scorn.
"You are like the rest of this branch
of the Caryls, aren't you? So beauti-
fully devoid of scruples. It's pleas
ure to contemplate the fact"
ga characteristic which you share
with me, my dear brother. But let US
get to the business we are to discuss.
l suppose you are on the trail Of anoth-
er heiress, eh?"
PRECISELY oh, astute relative!"
"Pshaw! that's nothing new. This
must be the seventh or eighth since
you were grown. Somehow, despite
you face and figure, which are good"
"Thanks!" murmured Ralph.
"And your address, which l must say,
when you please, is really fascinat-
ing"
ooh, most discerning sister!" from
Ralph again.
Il say, despite all these things, you
have hitherto failed to secure your
heiress."
"Most true-cursedly true!"
"Well, what's the reason? Do you
wonder that rather sniff at the heirs
ess idea?"
'No; don't wonder; but you should
never sniff; it isn't ladylike. Besides,
do you forget how many times Bruce's
spider tried that little trick with the
web, and what a lesson it should teach
to such as you and me? My dear Ju-
liza, let us remember Robert Bruce and
the spider"
"You can talk nonsense as much as
you please" returned Julia. "The fact
remains the same that you can't seem
to secure an heiress."
''The fact remains that never have
but l shall"
Ralp bit his cigar somewhat vicious
ly as he spoke.
thine will show" still unbelieving-
ly.
eyes, time will show, oh, We of little
| faith! But the special object for
which solicited the pleasure of your
company this morning was to ask if
you would be willing, for fair COM
pensation, to aid me in my great work
for this time Ralph Caryl gets an heir
ess or dies in the attempt"
"a forlorn hope, indeed! But how
| in the world can help?"
Il must say there's rival in the
field-a rival who has a great lever to
bear up his interest. Then, there's
another fellow who may prove to be
yet more dangerous in the same line;
but, as he is now sick, and besides, is
already engaged. his entering the lists
is doubtful"
s. II begin to see. You wish me to oc-
cupy the attention, perhaps to win the
! love of the rival, and thus leave you a
fair field Have guessed ;rightly?"
"You have. Do you see in what a
high estimation l hold your powers 90
% For which / am grateful"
But let me warn you that the fellow
I isInet,s in your sense, gentleman
wouldn't he be raging to hear me?-
| and he is a terrible dogged specirnen