Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1905-04-27

"WhAh defeas would be intoleraDle,
even a certain victory requires care!
| And I cannot afford to lose"
lose what?" inquired Eta.
De Chauxville looked Mt her, but he
| did not answer. The music was soft
again.
~ suppose that at Osterno you set
no value upon a bear skin," he said
after n pause.
1--WE have many" admitted Eta.
! "But I love fur or trophies Of any de-
| scription. Paul has killed a great deal"
"Ah"
EYES," answered Eta, and the music
rose again. II should like to know"
she went on, upon what assumption
you make use Of a word which does
not often-annoy me-"
II have a good memory, madame.
| Besides''-he paused, looking round the
| room - there are associations within
| these walls which stimulate the men,
ory."
"What do you mean" asked Eta, in
a hard voice. The hand holding the
| album suddenly shook like a leaf in
| the wind.
De Chauxville had stood upright, his
hand at his mustache, after the q
ner of a man whose small talk is ex-
hausted. 1t would appear that he was
wondering how he could gracefully get
away from the princess to pay his de-
voirs elsewhere.
ed. "Catrina is watching us across the
piano. You must beware, madame, Of
those cold blue eyes,"
He moved away, going toward the
piano, where Maggie was standing be-
hind Catrina's chair.
II was merely wondering whether
we were to count you among our rifles
tomorrow, Miss Delafield. One never
knows what ladies will do next. Not
ladies-I apologiZe-women. I suppose
1t is those who are not by birth ladies
who aspire to the proud name of VIC
men. The modern woman-with a cap
ital Wis not a lady, is she?"
"She does not mind your abuse, non
sieur," laughed Maggie. So long as you
do not ignore her she is happy. But
| you may set your mind at rest as re-
CARDS tomorrow. 1 have never let off
a gun In my life, and / am sensible
enough not to begin on BEARS"
De Chauxville made a suitable reply
and remained by the piano talking to
the two young ladies until Eta rose
| and came toward them. He hen cross
ed to the other side Of the room and en-
| gagged Paul in the discussion of fur
Their plans for the morrow.
1t was soon time to dress for dinner,
and Eta was forced to forego the op-
portunity she sought to exchange a
| word alone with De Chauxville. That
astute gentleman carefully avoided al
lowing her this opportunity. He knew
the value of a little suspense.
During dinner and afterward, when
at length the gentlemen came to the
drawing room, the conversation was Of
a sporting tendency. Bears, bear hunt
ing and bear stories held supreme
sway. More than nee De Chauxville
returned to this subject. Twice he
avoided Eta.
In some ways this man was coura-
geous. He delayed giving Eta her op-
portunity until there was a question
Of retiring to bed in view of the early
start required by the next days ar
rangements. 1t had been finally set
tied that the three younger ladies
should drive i've to q woodman's cot
tage at the far end Of the forest, where
luncheon was to be served. While this
item of the programme vas arranged
De Chauxville looked straight at Eta
across the table.
At length she had the chance afford
ed to her deliberately by De Chaux-
Vile.
What did you meanY" she asked at
once.
II have received information which,
had l known it three months ago,
would have made a difference in your
life"
what d~ifference?"
Il should have been your husband
instead Of that thick headed giant"
Eta laughed, but her lips were for
the moment coIorless.
when am 1 to see you alone?'
Eta shrugged her shoulders. She
had plenty Of spirit.
"Please do not be dramatic or mys-
FERROUS. I am tired. Good night"
She rose and concealed a simulated
vnwn ~.