Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-12-04
the tower the avenue of trees Of the

IL lOOk0U JUST inc same us ever, UuI
when he left the coach and was walk
ing up the approaeh, he saw that ev-
erything showed signs of decay. The
grounds were mass of weeds: some
of the trees had been cut down: in
short, Caryl Hall was very different
from what it had been in his fathers
time.
He mounted the steps and rang the
bell. something like remorse In his
heart that he should have sQuandered
so much.
A middle-aged woman. the solo re-
naming servant in the place. opened
the door, uttering an exclamation at
sight of "Mr. Ralph" and he pushed
past her. impatient to see his mother
Where are they?" he asked.
I'm the dining room: it's just sup
per time" was the answer.
And he went along the well-remem-
bered passage to the dining room.
which had been grand carved oak and
walnut-resplendent with shining sill
yer.
The oak and the walnut panelings
were still there, but all the other
grandeur had departed.
Two women sat at small table at
the end of the room. There was an
odor of tea and hot cake in the air.
Both figures rose as Caryl appeared,
ton.
ut is Ralph" and she came forward
to embrace him.
1T Is your long-Iost child" airily
said Ralph. Home returned to love
and thee, mamma. Do bring Joy to
your fond hearth"
"Of course you do" was the reply.
But where have you been, and what
did make you stay SO Pit has been diff
ficult for me to reply to everybody. as
II knew where you were, when had
not the remotest idea. I've mentioned
Baden, general remark about the
Rhine, and so on, until l was at my
wits end, and everybody in Carylville
inquiring for Mr.. Ralph"
How kind of them!" he said. II
suppose it was all affection and no Gu
riosity on their parts. Is that Julia?"
The other figure came forward at
this, and extended her had. which
Ralph took, kissed her, and exclaimed,
in real earnest:
II vow, the Caryl's are handsome
family, Jue! should say you had i'm
proved, and there was no particular
need OF that; you were beautiful when
saw you last. Where in the deuce
are the men? should say you ought
to have been snapped up long ago!"
"Thank you, brother, you are very
good" said Julia, in a quiet, satirical
voice; but men are not so eager to
snap up girl without penny. And
then, again, there isn't a man in this
miserable little village"
You ought to go to some large city,"
said Ralph. You'd find a parti there,
without doubt"
Zone can't go to large city without
money-unless you have found the
way to do so, Ralph" was the meaning
reply.
Nonsense, Julia!" he responded.
Don't begin haunting me at the first
moment. l don't set up for a saint,
and it you were a man, think you'd
not be much better than am"
Il would go out into the world, at
least" Julia said.
Come, Ralph-come and have a
cup of tea," interrupted Mrs. Caryl.
And please don't begin sparring as
soon as this"
The three sat down at the table.
which was very sparingly laid, and
when the mother mentioned the fact.
Ralph said:
Don't mention such a thing to me;
I've been on short rations myself too
much lately not to think this is lux
ury"
Reckless though he was, Ralph was
not sufficiently hardened not to feel
uncomfortable at the thought that
intruded itself very strongly here-that
1T was owing great deal to his guilt
Inexpensive habits that his mother
and sister were obliged to scrimp jl
their daily food. But he allowed none
of that feeling to be seen. He gay and
chatty, told stories, made the two wo-
men laugh, and enlivened them great.
ly.
"But how did it happen, Ralph, that
you went to Europe so SUDDENLY"
asked Julia, looking sharply at her
brother.
Don't be curious, JULIE" he said,
with perfect self-possession. "You
ought to know by this time that it is
not always for fair women to know
what brave men are doing. I was in
scrape-that's enough to know"
well, hope you'll tell the minis
ter's wife the same story that did
about it, that's all. IT wouldn't be
pleasant for them to differ in that re.
spect."
Decidedly not! And if you'll kindly
mention to me your version of the af-
fair, I'll make it my own"
Certainly. I said that your health
had so far given out on account of the
unusual confinement of the counting
room that your employer had sent you
to Europe to look after his interests
there, hoping it would benefit your
health"
"Capitally done! I'll remember it
and also that my health is much i'm
proved"
II never saw you dressed so unlike
yourself, Ralph" went on Julia, who
was secretly furious that her brother
should have sQuandered so much mon
ey. IF you have been in London. why
didn't you get your coat at Poole's,
and your pantaloons-"
Spare me, sweet sister!" interrupt
ed Ralph, secretly annoyed, but deter
mined not to show it. II am very con-
SciOuS that I am dresaad infernaJIy-