Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1914-10-02

Harrigan began to recount the trials
of forgetfulness
Slyly from the corner OF her eye
Nora looked at Courtlandt, who was
at that moment staring thoughtfully
into his tea cup and stirring the con-
tents industriously. His face was
little thinner, but aside from that he
had changed scarcely at all; and then,
because these two years had left so
little mark upon his face, tinge of
unreasonable anger ran over her. Men
have died and worms have eaten
Them" she thought cynically. Perhaps
the air between them was stuff cient-
ly charged with electricity to convey
the impression across the intervening
space; for his eyes came up quickly,
but not quickly enough to catch her.
She dropped her glance 10 Abbott,
transferred it to the Barone, and final
ly let it rest on her father face. Four
handsomer men she had never seen.
You never told me you knew Court
landt," said Harrigan, speaking to
Abbott.
Just happened that way. We went
to school together. When | was little
they used to make me wear curlS and
wide collars. Manys the time Court
landt walloped the school DULLES for
mussing me up. / don't see him much
these days Once in a while he walks
in. That's all. Always seems to know
where his friends are. but mono ever
knows where he is
Abbott proceeded to elaborate some
of his friends exploits. Nora heard,
as il from afar. Vaguely she caught
a glimmer of what the contest was
going to be. She could see only lit
tie way; ;still, she was enthusiastically
confident of the result She was ready.
Indeed, now that the shock Of the
meeting was past, she found herself
not at all averse to conflict. It would
be something to let go the pent-up
wrath of two years. Never would she
speak to him directly; never would
she permit him to be alone with her;
never would she miss a chance to
twist his heart, to humiliate him, to
snub him.
so I have heard" she was dimly
conscious of saying.
Didn't know you knew" said 40
bott
Knew what?" rousing herself.
THAT Courtlandt nearly lost his life
in the eighties
In the eighties!" dismayed at her
slip.
''Latitudes. Polar expedition"
Heavens! | was miles away"
The padre took her hand in his own
and began to pat it softly. 1t was the
nearest he dared approach in the way
Of suggesting caution. He alone Of
them all knew
"Oh, l believe l read something
about it In the newspapers
Five years ago" Abbott set down
his tea cup He's the bravest man
know. He's rather a friendless man.
besides. Horror of money. Thinks
every one is after him for that. Tries
to throw it away; but the income piles
up too quickly. See that Indian, pass
ing the cakes? Wouldn't think it.
would you, that Ceurtlandt carried
him on his back for five miles! The
Indian had fallen afoul a wounded
tiger, and the heaters were miles off.
I've been watching. They haven't even
spoken to each other. Courtlandt's
probably forgotten all about the Incl
dent, and the Indian would die rather
than embarrass his savior before
strangers"
Your friend, then, is quite hero?"
What was the matter with Nora's
voice? Abbott looked at her wonder
ingly. The tone was hard and IN
musical.
He couldn't be anything else, be-
ing Dick Courtlandt's boy" volun-
teered Harrigan, with enthusiasm. 1T
runs in the family"
1T seems strange" observed Nora,
that / never heard you mention that
you knew Mr.. Courtlandt."
Why, Nora, there's q lot Of things
nobody mentions unless chance brings
them up. Courtlandt-the one I knew
has been dead these sixteen years.
II / knew he had had son, I'd for
gotten all about it. The only grave
yard Isn't on the hillside; there's one
under everybodys thatch."
The padre nodded approvingly.
Nora was not particularly pleased
with this phase in the play. Court
landt would find a valiant champion
in her father. who would blunder in
when some fine passes were being ex-
changed. And she could not tell him:
she would have cut out her tongue
rather.
win you forgive me?" asked Ce-
leste Of Courtlandt. Never had she
felt more i'll at ease. For a full ten
minutes he chatted pleasantly, with
never the slightest hint regarding the
episode in Paris. She could stand it
no longer. will you forgive me?"
For what?"
THAT night in Paris"
do not permit that to bother you
in the least. was never going to re-
call it,"
Was it SO unpleasant"
On the contrary, l was much