Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1910-09-22

Pm glad. We may prove a perfect
flzzle, and the less said the better. AS
we can't walk back, l must learn to
swim. Lunch is ready, every one!!'
The mummers and the outsiders
flocked into the small dining room.
There was plenty to eat; beer, soda,
whisky and W. magnums of cham
payne, Merrihew's contribution to the
feast. Hillard listened with increas-
ing amusement to the shop talk. 1t
was after l when they returned to the
sitting room, where the piano stood.
The I'll was now opened. and toaStS
We're drunk. O'Alally told inimitable
stories. There was something exceed
ingly droll in that expressive Irish
face of his.
Worth did not drink, but Hillard did
not like his handsome face any the
more for this virtue. He sans re-
markably well, however, and with a
willingness Hillard had not believed
he possessed. He wondered vaguely
why he disliked the man. Otherwise
billiard enjoyed himself vastly.
"Mr. Merrihew has been telling me
all about you," said kitty.
"You mean, of course, my good quail.
ties" replied Hillard.
'To hear him talk one would think
that you possessed nothing else. But
II am sure that you have glazing
faults such. as a man might pass, over
sand q WOMAN go round"
+ x believed that Matthew bad q, Sc
Erisoousss f alAt. TIL IL t~ooniglAk" he said
Eogseeesdl ''1 eS*'
I Has the foolish boy been telling
you that 1 refused to marry him? I
like him very much,' she added grave
ly, but 1 shall never marry any man
till 1 have ceased to love the stage. l
am not a whit less eXtravagant than
he is. How could the two of US live
on an income which he himself admits
after l am gone he will forget all
about me-"
"Merrihew is the most loyal man l
know" Hillard declared.
"Of course he is loyal! And he is
always in earnest-for the moment"
And then they both laughed.
it was ou~trageously late, nearly 4,
when the jewellers took leave. Merri-
hew was happy with hat evanescent
happiness which goes hand in glove
with late suppers and magnums.
Isn't she a little wonder, Jack.?"
Eyes. she is, Dan. 1t might be a good
thing for you to marry a sensible little
woman like that. But she won't have
you"
"No, she won't" Merrihew reached
for his watch. "Four a. NJ"
"Say. What do you think Of that man
| WORTH"
Every good voice, but he's too hand.
some"
ooh, go on! You're as fine a looking
chap as there is in New York. But this
mar Worth has the looks Of a lady
killer. He's been eying Kitty. but ii
doesn't go. Hang it, I can't see why
| she won't marry me now"
You must have patience"
COR more money. Can't O'Mally ten
a good story, thought
Eyes, but I should hate to turn him
loose in my wine cellars. I imagine
he will praise anything good to drink
but water"
Merrihew reared.
WELL, here's your station, Dan.
Shall l see you tomorrow"
"Eight-thirty in the park. Nothing
like a horse for a headache"
Hillard arrived home tired and
sleepy, but as he saw a letter on the
stand in the hall his drowsiness passed
quickly. There was no other blue en-
velope like it. She now had his house
address; she was interested enough to
look it up: she did not Follow his lead
and write in Italian; she wrote in Eng
lish-crisp English too. Again there
was neither beginning nor ending. But
this was a letter. There vas something
here of-the woman, ss9mssfthing to read
and r read
I had told. the maid TO burn your letter.
but she left It on the Sfloocor where + had
thrown it, and I came across it this
morning. 1t looked rather pathetic. Sc
I am writing you against my better judg-
ment. Yes, I know your name. 1 find
that 1 am well acquainted with people
you know. l am a woman who often sur
renders to the impulse Of the moment. I
may or may not answer any future letter
from you. You write very good Italian,
but 1t will surprise you to learn that I de-
test all things that are Italian. Once I
loved them well. Why should you wish to
know me? Our ways are as divergent as
the two poles. Happy because I sing?
There are some things over which we
can sing or laugh. but Of which we can
not speak without crying. Happy or un-
happy, can this matter to you? To
you 1 shall always remain the lady in
the fog. Are you rich, young, talented?
I care not in the least. Perhaps it amuses
me to add to your confusion. Fin me?
l think not. Misguided energy!
Hillard put the letter away, extin-
guished the lights and passed up to
his room. This was a direct challenge.
He would accept it. This time he
would use no personal to tell her that
a letter awaited her. She should make
the inquiries herself. And from the
mail clerk he would obtain a descrip-
ton of the elusive Nine. Angot. Next