Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1910-04-28

shrine, where she knelt and tried to
pray. But she found it a difficult mat
ter. Lloyd Kittredge-how often she
had murmured that name in her lone
ly hours! He would be here shortly
for his answer.
And. alas, she must say mo" to
him. She must give him pain. She
could not hope to make him under
stand. How could any one understand?
And then perhaps he would misjudge
her. Perhaps he would leave her in
anger and not come back any more.
Not come back any more!
A descending step on the tower
stairs broke in upon her meditations.
and she rose quickly from her knees.
The sacristan had finished his rounds
and was coming to close the outer
doors. 1t was time for her to go. And.
with q glance at her hair in a little
glass and a touch to her hat, she went
out into the garden back of Notre
Dame. where she knew her lover
would be waiting.
"Ah, at last!" he exclaimed, spring
ing toward her. with a mirthful, boy
ish smile. He was a man Of twenty
seven, slender Of build. but carrying
himself we'll.
She tried to speak gayly, but he was
not deceived and answered seriously
in French:
"Hold on. There's something wrong.
We've been sad. eh?"
"Why-er"- she began. "I-er"-
Been worrying, know. Too much
church. too much of that old she
dragon. Come over here and tell me
about it." He led her to a bench
shaded by a friendly sycamore tree.
Kittredge thrilled under the spell Of
her beauty. He longed to take her in
his arms and comfort her.
Suppose we go back a little," he
said reassuringly. about six months
ago, I think it was in January, a
young chap in a fur overcoat drifted
into this old stone barn and took q
u around it. BE saw the treasure
and the fake relics and the white mar
BILE French gentleman trying to get
out of his coffin. and he didn't care a
hang about any of 'em until he saw
you. Then he began to take notice.
The young fellow with the fur over
coat kept coming back and coming
back, only soon ne came without his
]overcoat"
I'm bitter cold weather." she said
r~eproachfully.
HE was pretty blue that day, wasn't
he? Dead sore OF the game. Money
all blown in. overcoat up the spout,
nothing ahead and a whole year Of
Of darned foolishness behind. Excuse
me, but that's what it was. Well. he
blew in that day, and-he walked over
to where you were sitting, you darling
little saint"
mo. no.. murmured Alice; mot a
saint, only a poor girl who saw you
were unhappy and-and was sorry"
Their eyes met tenderly, and FOR a
moment neither spoke. Then Kit
tredge went on unsteadily: Anyhow,
you were kind to me, and l opened up
a little. l told you a few things, and
when l went away l felt more like a
man. J. said to myself, Lloyd Kit
tredge, If you're any good you'll cut
out this thing that's been raising the
dickens with y~ou'-excuse me. but
that's what it was-.and you'll make a
new start right now And I did 1t.
There's a lot you don't know, but you
can bet all your rosaries and relics
that I've made a fair fight since then.
I've worked and-been decent, and-l
did it all for you" He caught her
hand in his, and she felt his warm
breath on her cheek. ''All for you.
You know that, don't you. Alice?"
She drew her hand away and forced
herself to say, "You mustn't do that!"
He looked at her in surprise. why
not?'
Because I cannot be what you
what you want me to be" she answer
ed, looking down.
II want you to be my wife,"
II know" She lifted her eyes brave
ly and faced him. 1T is true. Lloyd.
I car never be your wife,"
But why? Why?"
4 Sd4IIoI CSu yOus SIG 4dAIeISU.
us it something you've heard that
I've done or-or not done? Don't be
afraid to hurt my feelings. God knows
I was a fool, but I've kept straight
since I knew you. I'll swear to that"
II believe you, dear"
You r for me, and yet you turn
me down." he said bitterly.
-slr#L----
"Then you will never be my wife, no
matter how long I waltz"
That's it." she sobbed.
Kittredge rose, eying her sternly.
II understand" he said, ''or rather I
don't understand, but there's no use
talking any more. I'll take my medi-
cine. and-goodby."
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