Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-05-29
BY Fred M. G,hite
CHAPTER x. ,continued.)

tous curiosity.
Again Enid ragged, but Margaret Hen
son might have been of stone. for all
the notice she took. The far-aWay !ook
was still in her eyes as she felt her way
. to the table like one in a dream. Ihe1l
she dropped suddenly into u chair anu
began grace in a high, clear voice.
And the Lord make us
truly thankful And may He. when II
seemeth good to Him. remove the curse
from this house. and in due season free
the innocent and punish the guilty. For
the burden is sore upon us, ana thefe
are times when it seems hard to pear.
The big man played with his knife
and fork smilinsly. An acute ooserF-
err might have imagined that the pas
sionate plant was directed at MN. II
so, it passed harmlessly over his broad
shoulders. In his immaculate evening
dress, he looked strangely out of place
there. Enid had escaped the prevailing
cilapidation, but fer gown. OF gray
homespun, was as severe as the garo OIL
q charity girl.
Madam is so poetical.' Henson muir
INJURED. And charmingly sanguine.
civilians" Mrs Henson said. stole
ally, my visitor will have some
champagne"
She seemed to nave dropped once
again into the con nlonplace, palnfully
exact as a host ass of breeding must be
to an unwelcome guest And vet she
never seemed to see him: these dark
eyes were looking, ever looking. into the
Clark future. The meal proceeded IN
silence, save for an oily sarcasm from
Henson. In the d use stiffness the o.
casional howl OF a dog could be heard.
A slight flush of annoyance crossed
Hensons broG1 face.
Some day 1 shall poison all those
hounds" he said.
Enid looked up at him swiftly.
eff all the hounds around Longdean
were poisoned or shot it would be
good place to live in," she said.
Henson smiled caressinsly, like Pc
t,uchio might nave done in his milder
moments.
:, my dear Enid, you misjudge me-
he said But I shall>get justice some
day."
Enid replied that she fervently hopeo
so. and thus the strange meal proceeo-
cd with smiles end gentle words from
Henson. and a wild outburst OF bitter
ness from the girl. So far as she was
concerned, the servants might nave
heen mere automatons. Inc oust tose
in clouds as the latter moved sllentls'
1t was hot in there, and, gradually ehe
brown powder grimed like MIN over
Henson's oily skin. At the head Oh the
table Margaret Herson sat IKE W.
man in a dream. Ever, ever, her oaih
ewes seemed to be looking eagerly
around. Thirsty men seeking precious
water in desert might nave iooheu
like her. Ever and anon ner ups
moved, but no sound came from tleii''
Occasionally she spoke to one OF .i,e
other of her guests, but she never loi
lowed her words with her eyes. sucI1
sad, pathetic, oitiable figure, such d
gray sorrow, in her rags ana snowy
hair.
The meal came to an end at length
and Mrs Henson rose suddenly. Ihere
was a grotesque suggestion CT the ma
ronette in her movement. She bowed,
as If to some imaginary parsonage, anu
moved with dignity towards the ooor.
REGINALD Henson stood aside ana open
ed it for her. She passed into the aim
hall as if in absolute unconsclousness Oh
his presence. Enid flashed a look OF de-
6ance at him as she disappeared INTO
the gloom and floating dust.
Henson's face changed instantly, as IL
a mask had fallen from his SNUG 1ea-
lures. He became alert and vigorous.
He was no longer patron OF the arts
widc-minded philanthropist. the man
who devotes himself to the good OF hu,
1nanity. The blue eyes grew colo anu
cruel, there was hungry smile apout
the loose mouth.
~ Ill
ears into the library, William" he said.
land open the window, the DUST stii'es
me-"
The identified butler bowed respect
fully. He reseml,led the typical bad
1ntler of fiction in no respect, but his
thoughts were by TO means pleasant DIS
he FASTENED to obey. Enid was loiter-
ing in the hall as Williams passed WIFI
the tray.
"Small study and window open'
@niss,'' he whispered. There's some
came on-oh, yes, there is some blessed
game on again tonight. And him SO
ANXIOUS to know how Miss Clristlana
Is. Saws she ought to call him in pro-
REASONABLY. Personally, I'd rather cali
in an undertaken who was desperately
hard up for job"
.My sister is worse tonight, and UNI
less she gets batter shall insist upon
her seeing a doctor. And I am obliged
for the hint about Mr.. Henson. The ut
tie study commands the staircase lead
ing to my sisters bed ROOM"
"And the open window commands the
garden" Williams said, drily.
Eyes, yes. Nov, go, You are a real
friend, Williams. and I will never for
get your goodness. Run along-1 can
actually feel that man coming"
AS a matter of fact, Henson was APP
proaching noiselessly Despite his great
bulk, he had the clean, dainty step Of q
cat; his big, rolling ears were those of
q hare. Henson was always listening.
He would have listened behind a kitch-
en- door to a pair Of chattering scullery
maids He liked to find other people
out, though as yet he had not been
found out himself. He stood before tn.
world as social missioner; he made
speeches at religious gatherings and af-