Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-07-31

one Of Mr.. Henson's mystic kilograms
had been addressed to one James Mer-
rift, at an address in Moreton Wells, a
town some fifteen miles away. That
the scoundrel was up to no good she
knew perfectly we'll.
"Your work must be very Interest,"
ing" she said. Have you been In the
church long, Mr.. Merritt?"
Merritt said, hoarsely. that he had
not been in the church very long. His
dreadful grin and fog voice suggested
that he was a brand plucked from the
burning, and that he had only recently
come over to the side of the angels. The
whole time he spoke he never met
Chris's glance once. The chaplain of a
convict prison would have turned from
him in disgust. Henson was evidently
i'll at ease. In his suave, diplomatic
way he contrived to maneuvre Merritt
off the ground at length.
can excellent fellow" he said, with
exaggerated enthusiasm. ut was a
great day for us when we won over
James Merritt. He can reach q class
which. hitherto. we have not touched"
HE looks as if he had been in gaol,"
Chris said.
"Oh, he has," Henson admitted, can
didly. MANY time"
Chris deemed it just possible that the
unpleasant experience might be en-
dured again. but she only smiled and
expressed herself as deeply interested.
The uneasiness in Hensons manner
gradually disappeared. Evidently the
girl suspected nothing. She would have
liked to have asked a question or two
about Mr.. Merritt's thumb, but she
deemed it prudent not to do so.
Dinner came at length. dinner. served
in the great hall, in honor of, the re-
cently-arrived guest, and set up in all
the panoply and splendor that Littimer
affected at times. The best plate was laid
out on the long table. There were banks
and coppices Of flowers at either corner,
a huge palm nodded over silver and
glass and priceless china. The softly
shaded electric lights made pools Of
amber flame on fruit and flowers and
cleaning crystal. Half-a-dozen big
footmen went about their work with
noiseless tread.
Henson shook his head playfully at
all this show and splendor. His good
humor was Of the elephantine order,
and belied the drawn anxiety of his
eyes. Luxurious and peaceful as the
scene was, there seemed to Chris to be
touch Of electricity in the air, the sug-
gestion of something about to happen.
Littimer glanced at her admiringly. She
was dressed in white satin, and she had
in her hair single diamond star Of
price.
''Of course Henson condemns all this
sort Of thing" Littimer said. +" He
would have you believe that when he
comes into his own the plate and wine
will be sold for the benefit Of the poor,
and the seats of the mighty filled with
decayed governesses and Anticipated
shop-walkers."
II hope that time may be long de-
ferred." Henson murmured.
''And so do l." Littinner said, drily,
(which is one of the advantages of be-
ing conservative. By the way. who was
that truculent-looking scoundrel saw
you with this afternoon"
Henson fastened to explain. Littimer
was emphatically Of opinion that such
visitors were better kept at distance
for the present. When all the rare
Plate and treasures Of Littimer Castle
had been disposed of for philanthropic
purposes it would not matter.
There was a time when the enter
prising burglar got his knowledge of
the domestic and physical geography of
house from the servants. Now he re-
forms, with the great advantage that
he can lay his plan of campaign from
personal observation. It Is a much
more admirable method, and tends to
avert suspicion from the actual GRIM
| inal''
"You would not speak thus If you
knew Merritt" said Henson.
Cali the same, I don't want the privi-
lege," Littimer smiled. ga man with
| face like that couldn't reform; nature
would resent such an enormity. And
yet you can never tell. Physically
speaking, my quondam friend, Hather-
ly Bell, has a perfect face"
II confess I am anxious to see him."
Chris said. IL heard him lecture in
America. He had the most interesting
theory about dogs. Mr.. Henson hates
dogs"
Yes" said Henson, shortly, II do,
and they hate me, but that does not
prevent my being Interested in the COM
| ing of DIR. Bell. And nobody hopes more
sincerely than myself that he will sue
coed in clearly vindicating his charac-
ter"
Littimer smiled sarcastically, as he
trf1ed with his caret glass. In his
cynical way, he was looking forward
to the interview with a certain sense Of
amusement. And there was time
when he had enjoyed Bells society inn
mensely.
''Well, you will not have long to wait
now" he said. "1t is long past 10, and
Bell is due at any moment after IL.
Coffee in the balcony, please"
1t was gloriously warm night, just
faint suspicion Of a breeze in the air.
Down below. the sea beat with gentle
sway against the cliffs; on the grassy
slopes a belated lamb was bleating for
its dam. Chris strolled quietly down
the garden with her mind at peace for a
time. She had almost forgotten her
mission for moment. A figure slip
ped gently past her on the grass, but
she utterly failed to notice it.
Gan exceedinglv nice girl that IT.