Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-06-12
CHAPTER XIV.
Behind the Blind.

There was long pause till the sound
of the horses hoofs died away. Bell
was waiting for his companion to
speak. Her head was partly turned
from him. so that he could only watch
the dainty beauty Of her profile. She
stood there, cold and still. but he could
see that she was profoundly agitated.
II never thought to see the day when
I should trust you again. she said. II
never expected to trust any man
again.
you will trust me, darling" Bell
said, passionately. eff you still care
for nee as care for you. Do you?"
The question came keen as steel.
Enid shivered and hesitated. Bell laid
light hand on her arm.
Speak" he said. ct am going to
clear myself. am going to take back
my good name. But if you no longer
care for me, the rest matters nothing.
Speak,
II am not one Of those who change,
God pity me-" Enid murmured.
Bell drew a long, deep breath. He
wanted TO assurance beyond that.
'Then lead the way" he said. 81 have
come at the right time; I have been
looking for you everywhere, and I find
you in the hour of your deepest sorrow.
When I knew your aunt last she was a
cheerful, happy woman. From what I
hear, she is now suffering, you are all
suffering, under some blighting grief"
"Oh, but if you only knew what that
sorrow was, Hatherly!"
"Hatherly! How good the old name
sounds from your lips. Nobody has ev-
err called me that since-since we part
ed. And to think that should have
been searching for you all these years
when Miss Ruth Gates could have CIV
en- me the clue at any time. And why
have you been playing such strange
tricks upon my friend, David Steel?
Why have you-What is that?"
Somebody was moving somewhere IN
help: Enid started forward
cit is Williams coming from the sta
blcs,' she said. IT have so arranged it
that the dogs are holding up my dear
cousin, Reginald Henson, who is call
ing uron Williams to release him. If
Reynolds gets back to the house now
VIC are ruined. Follow me as we'll as
| you can"
Enid disappeared down a narrow,
| tangled path, leaving Bell to limp
along painfully in her track. A little
| way off Henson was yelling Justify for
assistance. Williams, who had evil
IDENTIFY taken in the situation, was COM
| ing up leisurely, chuckling at the dis
| comfiture Of his enemy. The hounds
were whining and baying. From the
| house came the notes of a love song
| Iassion.tely detained. A couple of
the great dogs came snarling up to Bell
erd laid their grimy muzZles on his
thighs A cold sensation crept up and
| down his spine as he came to a stand
still.
"The brutes!" he muttered. "Mar-
garet Henson must be mad, indeed, to
| have these creatures about the place.
All! would you? Very we'll, I'll play
the game fairly, and not move. If I
remain quiet I shall have pleasant
| night of it. Let US hope for the best,
and that Enid will understand the sit
VA ton
| Meanwhile Enid had come up with
Williams. She laid her hand imperi-
ously upon his lips.
| Not a word" she whispered. Mr..
Henson is held up by the dogs. He
you the signal to release him. I know
you answered his call, but you are to
| 20 no further"
| Williams assented. willingly enough.
| Everything that tended to the discom-
fort of Reginald Henson filled him with
| q peculiar and deep-seated pleasure.
VERY well, miss" he said, demurely.
"And don't you hurry. miss. This is
the kind of job that calls for plenty Of
| patience. And I'm really shockingly
| deaf tonight
Williams retreated. leisurely. in the
| direction of the stables, but his mala-
| dy was not so distressing that he failed
| TO hear grOan and snarling curse
from Henson. Enid fled along the
| track, where she found Bell, standing
| patiently, with Il dogs muZzle at eth
er knee. His face was white and shin
| ing, otherwise he showed no signs Of
fear. Enid laid hand on the head Of
either dog. and they rolled like great
| cats at her feet in the bushes.