Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-02-06
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$E Rickerby's Folly SO
2 y By TOM GALLON x
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BY TOM GALLON
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
CHApTER xIy-(Continued,)

Mr. Nugent Leathwood's brain had
been busy while she was talking. He
began to conceive a plan so daring, and
yet SC ludicrous on the face of it, and
so designed to cheat the unsuSpicious
George Reeks and bring down punish
ment upon him, that he could scarcely
forbear from laughing at the mere
thought of it. But he kept a steady
face, and looked at Mrs. Reeks with an
expression of pity and sorrow for that
suffering woman which almost drove
he:' frantic.
My dear lady. far be it from me to
cause you any unnecessary pain" he
said, la ying his hand, with the delicate
touch of sympathy. upon her arm; but
in a matter Of this kind it is we'll to be
frank. Your husband has, unfortun-
ately. formed an attachment for this
young lady don't cry out or make
noise, I beg Of YOU, and has, for some
purpose of his own, abducted her from
her home this very night. I am her
guardian; I heard of it; followed, as
rapidly as possible
"Ol,-good' heavans!' exclaimed the
poor lady. under her brea tn.
Naturally enough, my dear ma
en-" went on Nugent. glibly. Il am
anxious, if possible. to escape any scan
dali and, above all, to avoid having
the name of a foolish. headstrong girl
mixed up in such business. am her
guardian, as I have said: and If 1t be
within my power, I should like to take
thu girl away with me at once, and as
quietly as possible. You tell me that
your husband is asleep; Why should
not this foolish gir. be struggled out OF
the house as quietly as she was smus-
glcd into it,"
Mrs. Reeks was in too great a state
of excitement to be able to think clearly
or to know what to do at that moment;
but she did see, very distinctly, the ia
bles turned upon that false husband of
hers when he woke in the morning to
find the girl gone. Already Mrs. Reeks
saw herself reveling in q condition of
stony silence while Mr.. Reeks frantic
ally endeavored to discover where the
girl had gone, and what part Mrs r.
had played in The business. Under all
the circumstances it was. perhaps, only
natural that she should jump at
chance of revenging herself, and, at the
same time, getting rid of the visitor
q chance which was, moreover, an easy
one.
1T don't understand it, SIR" she said;
'tbut do know that I won't have that
woman in the house another five min
utes. You are her guardia; you GER
tainly have the right to take her away
and to bring her to her proper senses.
A pretty thing, indeed, if respectable
men are to be made the victims OF de-
signing"
cit is great shame, I admit broke
in Nugent, "but perhaps the less SAID
about the matter the better. Where is
this young Lady,"
Mrs. Reeks pointed toward the door
of the sitting room; Nugent Leathwood
nodded and stretched out his hand for
the candle.
eff you will permit me-" he said, ito
see the young lady alone for moment
! think I can have little difficulty IN
persuading her to return with me-"
Mrs. Reeks closed her eyes and shiv-
cred virtuously. II have no desire to
see her, I can assure you," she replied.
Nugent Leathwood took the candle
and passed quietly into the room. The
young girl had stretched herself out on
the old-fashioned chintz-covered sofa,
and was sleeping quietly; the man
stood with the candle in his hand look
ing down at her for moment In 81
lence.
Eyes you're worth making fight for,
my Sleeping Beauty" he muttered. l
believe may even turn out respect
able member of society if once have
you with me. They tell me you've been
having dreams and visions, and SUCH
like things, since that sickness of yours.
I wonder what vision induced you to
come here, with that old mandman to-
night? Well, must induce you to go
back again, and after that Ill run no
more risks of losing YOU"
He set down the candle, and then bent
over the girl and spoke her name in mis-
softest and most agreeable accents.
"Olive!'
She opened her eyes on the instant,
and looked up at Elm with IL smile:
seemed, as she came fully awake, to
recognize something in his face that
brough a shade of fear to her own, and
started upright. The man laid quiet
hand upon her shoulder.
Don't be frightened, Olive" he said:
.'I have come to take you home. Do
vcu understand? To take you home"
She looked up at aim wildly moment,
as though she failed to understand
where she was or how she had reached
that place. Nugent Leathwood watch
ing her eagerly, wondered what clue he
should get as to the best fashion of per-
Shading her to come away with him.
And, even while he waited, he got the
clue he sought
The girls face cleared, as if by magic.
Whatever dream was in her poor, dis
turbed brain at that moment, found ex-
preston in the one word that had pow
er always to call her back, even if not
to sane things, at least to the brighter
memory Of happier days. She spoke
that one word, eagerly, now.
"Gilbert / might have known; Gill
bera wants me--Gilbert has sent you TO
fetch ME! He said always I was to go
to him if he sent
The man turned away from her. alb
ruptly, as though he could not bear
tf..' sight of her smiling face. always
that name' he muttered THE fello!"
might be killed hundred times-might
be hurled under mountain-and she
would think Of him. III make her for
get him some day."
But he had got what he wanted. He
turned to the girl quickly and an