Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-12-17

LAUGHTER.
comes from. You must give me your
word that never, under any possible
provocation, will you betray this bar
gain. You will pay me that Money
the $500 separate-and you will never
by word or deed let Mr.. Barrett know
"All right" said Mr.. II. 81 will meet
your terms"
and you promise never, never to
happens"
"My word and honor" he replied.
When Barrett returned, Mr.. II. was
no longer a financier;; he was a gentle
patron of the arts.
upon my SOUL he cried, Miss
Donovan's work amazes me. She is
worthy of liberal encouragement. She
has a great future" He turned to Mar
cia, at the same time Indicating pic
lures with Il pointing finger. Il think
I'll take this one and that one
And he proceeded to discuss the can
vases with great delicacy and appre-
citation until Barrett could have clasp
ed him to his bosom. Not Il word
meanwhile was said of Orton's note.
but Barrett's sense of gratitude was
working hard within him. The issue
could not be in doubt.
GAS a personal favor to you, sir" he
said when the matter had at last been
note if l can. But it must be distinctly
understood that Miss Donovan has
nothing to do with this transaction"
81 certainly do" said Marcia.
Fol the next half hour Mr.. III. and
Marcia We're busy with the pictures,
while Barrett wrestled with the Orion
enigma. of which he finally presented
a written translation to Mr.. H.. who
read as follows:
Dear HI am off for Washington,
strictly on the quiet. If necessary. COM
municate with me through Hubbard.
Meanwhile 1 want you to be sure to set
Don't let him sue. The matter must not
be made public. He does not know why,
but it must not at this time. I have just
been informed hat he intends to sue i'm
mediately. His claim is s10.ON. Make
him take less if you can; if not, pay in
Iull. sec IndC MS SlleICe is secured, ana
at once. I'll be back Friday.
PHILIP ORION.
Mr.. H. read this, and his big body
shook with internal laughter. 1t was
the sort Of joke that he could appreci-
ate. He had agreed to pay the amount
of Barrett's claim to Marcia for the
privilege of finding out that he would
have to pay it over again to Barrett
upon Orton's account. He was pledged
to Marcia not to tell Barrett. and he
was pledged to Barrett not to disclose
the contents of the note to Marcia.
And in a matter of this kind Mr.. II.
is a man Of his word.
The five pictures were ent to his
house, and Marcia had a check for
$500, which she displayed to Barrett,
and another for $4,000, which she
kept to herself. 1t had been her inten-
ton to take this money to Orion and
persuade him to make a pretended
settlement with Barrett, w%hereunon
the young mar could buy his partner
ship and all would be lovely, with the
wedding bells tinkling.
What was her ~amazement, there
fore, when upon Thursday afternoon
Barrett appeared in her studio flushed
with triumph. The Orton claim had
been settled in full. The partnership
had beer purchased. The shackles of
poverty being broken, he fastened to
put on those of matrimony. Would
Marcia name the day?
In the natural confusion Of the inter-
view the facts of the case came out.
1t was agreed thnt the $4,000 must
be returned to Mr.. II. But Mr.. n.
would not take 1t. He insisted that It
should DO rexnrded us n wedding gift
and that hin heartiest congratulations
and kest wishes went with II.