Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-02-27
ture as may still be in 1t. You know
that don't yOu?"

81 amt likely to forget the 'ouse that
was orce the place my por dead mis-
tress lived in" said the old woman, in a
low voice. Between those half-closed
lids of hers she was watching him pref
ty narrowly. although her face never
changed, and although he set her down
in his own mind, as halfwittcd dull
lard, whose senses and emotions had
long since been ground out Of her by
hard work and dull monotonous days.
quite So" he replied, easily. But
what wanted to say was this: THAT
although the house is untenanted, there
is always the fear that-well-that
tramps and other persons might try to
get into 1t for the sake of shelter.
supp ose it is properly locked up and Sc
cured?'
"rhere amt nobody bin in it all these
years not that knows on" she said, in
the same dull, level voice.
and you new. hear-never hear any
noises there-eh?" He asked the ques-
ton in a lower voice. and with some
hesitation.
The old woman raised her head and
looked at him sharply for moment;
then laughed. quaint. dry sort OF
laugh, which seemed to shake him as
the sight or sound of something uncan-
nv might have done. ooh, yes-I ear
noises enough" she said. "Many's the
time at nights I've card an seen things
as might ave upset me If I 'adn't
known what they was. Why, you saw
'em once yourself"
II? What do you mean?"
"Why, not so long since you saw
stadder on the blind Of my poor, dead
boys room; you pointed it out to me-
an said"
There, never mind what said. You
talk of things you've seen and heard; I
tell you now, I don't believe it. You're
in some fiendish plot here; you know
YOU are! You've got people in that
house-or you've had them in there.
Ccnc-I want the truth. and mean to
have it,
TN on'y tellin' you the truth" re-
plied the old woman, imperturably.
"shall 1 say it again? There amt been
no one in that 'ouse but Master Gilbert
Rickerby-"
Take her away! Stop her tongue"
cried Nugent, with his hands upon his
cars You were right, Cornelius; her
wits have gone long since. Take her
away"
Mr.. Viewers seized Jemima by the
shoulders anG unceremoniously pushed
her out Of the room AMI shut the door
upon her. Immediately afterward there
came a quick knock at it. Cornelius
opened it, was thrust aside, and Ursula
Sewell came in. For a moment or two
Leathwood and the woman scowled at
each other in silence.
"Well," he said, at asst, land what do
you want? don't know how long you
mean to hang on here, or what you'll
gain in the long run. I don't want to
create a scandal, or I'd turn you out of
the gate into the street; failing that,
suppose must wait until you choose to
go of your own accord"
IT want to speak to you'll must speak
to you' she said, slowly, with a glance
at Cornelius.
"Well, say what you have to say, and
be done with it," said Leathwood, turn
ing away and looking over some papers
at the desk. "Again, what do you
Want?"
IT want to speak to you-alone," she
went on, with another glance at the
grinning Mr.. Viewers.
IT don't think that's necessary" he
said. Cornelius knows all that I do,
and everything about my business. If
you have anything to say, you can say
it; if you object to mis- presence, you
can CO."
Ursula hesitated moment or two,
standing with one hand on her breast,
as though to control the passionate
things she would have said, glanced
again at the old man, and spoke:
IT wanted to tell you, if you will listen
to me. that you are in danger she said.
Leathwood turned swiftly towards
her, waiting for her to go on. With an
other curious gesture Of the hands, half
as Though what she said were forced
from her and she said it against her
wish, the woman went on:
"You are in great danger. I know
nothing of the matter, or of what you
are trying to do; but know that all
your hopes and your desires are founded
upon what can never be, and never has
been. L scarcely know what am say
ing, but I know that speak the truth.
You believe Gilbert Rickerby to be
dead?"
IT know him to be dead" said Nu-
gent, in low voice. TT has been pro-
claimed in all the papers that he is
dead-that he died in hospital. What
then?'
THAT is where your danger lies" she
cried, earnestly. "Nugent' don't turn
away from me; only believe in me and
trust me, and I'll save you. Gilbert
Rickerby is not dead!"
Nugent Leathwood seemed to reel as
from a blow; recovered himself, and
shook his fist at Cornelius. II knew it
I knew it, he cried. 1.-The body gone
slipped away without help, and without
soul to aid it. BY Jove!-she's right
sne's right"
"Wait bit-wait bit" urged Cor
nelius, putting up his hand. You don't
know what you're talking about, mas
/ ter. P'r'aps this lady as something
more to tell us. It seems to me that
we've all bin 'avin' dreams an visions
of some sort. Now, miss, p'r'aps you'll
explain"
II can't exp]ain-I won't" said Ursu-
la. only l know that man called
Gilbert Rickerby has been in this place;
that the girl for whom you cast me
aside has met and talked with him;
that they are lovers. I know nothing
beyond that"