Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-07-27

MS knees buckled, his arms saggeI
lhen Dan summoned all his strength
ana swung. Gordon groaned, lurcheu
forward and sprawled upon the warm
red velvet carpet, face down, with his
limbs twisted under him.
His v%anquisher stood over him for
an instant, then turned upon Natalie
Il face that was now keen and cruel
and predatory.
Come! Well be married today" he
said. And, crossing swiftly, he took
her two hands in his. His voice was
harsh and imperative. He's down and
out, so don't be frightened. Now, hur-
ry! I've had enough of this nonsense"
I'm not frightened" she said
dazcdly, "But-I"- Her eyes roved
past him as if in quest of something.
Here! This'N do for Il wrap" Dan
whipped his fur overcoat from a chair
and flung it about her. My hat, tool"
He crushed it Owe her dark hair and,
Shipping his arm about her shoulders.
urged her toward the hall.
Mother. She'll never
We'll call on her together. I'll do
the talking for both of U.S. He ierked
the front door open with q force that
threatened to wrench it from it's hinges
and thrust his companion out into the
braclng cold. Then, as Gnrdon's jana
nese butler came running from the rear
or the house, lie turned.
Hey, your he cried sharply. 1.-THE
boss has gone ON Il little visit. Don't
stumble over him. And tell Mrs. Cor
don that MI. and Mrs. Appleton will
call on her in a few days-Mr. and Mrs.
Dan Appleton of Omar!"
1t was but Il few steps to the pier.
Dan felt that he was treading on air,
for the fierce, unreasoning JOY of pos
session was surging through his veins.
His old indecision and doubt were gone,
and the men he met recoiled before his
hostile glance. staring after him in be-
wilderment.
But as he lifted Natalie down into
the launch he felt her shaking violent
ly, and of a sudden his selfish exulta-
ton gave way to a tender solicitude.
"There, there!" he said gently.
Don't cry, honey. It's all right. It's
all right"
She raised her face to his, and his
head swan, for he saw that she was
radiant.
I'm not crying; I'm laughing. l.
I'm mad-insane with happiness"
He crushed her to him. He buried
his face in her neck, mumbling her
name over and over. And neither Of
them knew that he was rapturously
kissing the coonskin collar Of his own
great coat. The launchman, motor
crank in hand, paused, staring. He
was still open mouthed when Dan.
catching sight Of him, shouted:
whats the matter. idiot? Is your
back broken?"
"Yes-no, sir" The fellow spun the
fywheel vigorously. The little craft
began to vibrate and CULVER and then
swung out from shore.
A moment later and the engineman
yelled. He came stumbling forward
and seized the steering wheel as the
boat grazed a buoy.
That's right, you steer" Dan laugh
ed, relaxing his hold. To Natalie he
said, There's a sky pilot in Omar"
and pressed her to him.
Its a long way to Omar" she an
swered, then hid her face against his
breast and said meekly, There's one
in Cortez, too, and he's much nearer"
O'Neil behaved handsomely when he
was told what had happened.
He hurried into town on the follow
ing morning, and his congratulations
We're so sincere, his n so hearty
that Dan forgot his embarrassment
and took q shameless delight in adver,
Using his happiness. Nor did Murray