Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1906-02-01

oIu OF the door ne pauseo ana, turn
ing, demanded:
sis your decision inal?"
I assured him that it was absolute.
He gave me an extremely vicious look
as he disappeared.
you will regret this, Mr.. Great
orex,' he observed.
I understood that the phrase was not
uncommonly used in similar circum-
stances, but in truth 1 need hardly say
that I should not have turned a sar-
casm at the expense of Mr.. Barnett's
i~noffensive client, despite Mr.. Barnett's
offensive manner, if I had not been alb
solutely certain that Mr.. Barnett's eli
ent did not exist. At least I would
have gone bail that he was no relation
to the departed Vyvians, and I would
even have ventured to doubt if he
knew much more Of them than did Mr..
Barnett himself, for it was plain
enough to me by this time that some
person or some persons had particular
reasons for desiring to obtain posses
sion of my Inheritance. So much being
clear it only remained to determine
those particular reasons, reasons which
l could now perceive were involved in
the secret of my dead friend and prob
ably also in the eliminating tragedy OF
his death.
When l was rid of my visitor 1 set
forth upon a stroll in the woods. 1t
was 1 in the afternoon, and the sun
shone very iercely upon the white
roads, throwing black shadows from
the trees. | dropped from the roadway
into a rude moss grown track that ran
into the heart of the valley, and pres
emily, leaving the more open parts of
the forest, struck into the deeper
brakes and tangles below. The little
stream ran here in the bottom very
pleasantly, sometimes brawling over
shadows and at other parts more 81
lently in eddies and drifts we darker
and deeper pools. AS 1 followed its
course l came shortly upon a spot
Where the channel made an elbow al
most at right angles with its former
direction, and here 1 deserted the form
Of Captain Sercombe. A sound of
voices reached me, and, cheered by the
prospect of a companion with whom
to exchange sentences, I uttered a short
"Hello!" and dived through the under
growth toward him. When 1 emerged
upon the open space upon which the
captain stood my attention was caught
by a rustling among the branches, and
l had a glimpse Of some one just dis
appearing into the wood. I stopped
with my eyes fastened upon the point,
for something familiar in the incident
struck me all Of q sudden. That lean,
Slim figure, that swift, precipitate rush
these were as impressions recovered
from some past experience. Captain
Sercombe was lazily whipping a deep
pool, a pipe between his teeth, and,
turning his head, he hailed me:
You have frightened my fish, sir"
said he.
l begged his pardon somewhat alb
stractedly, and, raising himself, he
looked at me, following the direction
Of my glance.
"Oh. that's my worthy and very OBJ
sequious host" said he, with a smile,
taking his pipe from his mouth. II
wish he would let me alone, but he's
awfully oficious. Thought he knew
the likeliest spots, and would insist on
me. AS if l hadn't ished be-
fore he was BORN
l joined him on the bank.
ANY luck? J" l asked.
He opened his basket. "A couple of
ones" he returned. But
n big fellow here, If your noise
hasn't frightened him."
He threw II cast very neatly and,
bending owe his line. was wholly alb
sorbed by his occupation. But nothing
would tempt the trout to rise, and the
soon gave me his attention
again.
fro BE coNrINUEp.J